Blood was shed on New Zealand soil. People were killed in battle on these shores. The foundation of our nation was laid with the blood and sacrifice of thousands of people. Yet, it is largely unknown by those of us who call this place home. Many of us would be able to talk about World War One or World War Two. After all we had family members fight in those global conflicts and some died for the cause they fought for. It is taught in our schools and we commemorate the soldiers who fought and died in those two wars (as well as those from the Boer War, the Korean and Vietnam Wars and on into modern day conflicts) on ANZAC Day. But few would be able to give anything but the most basic of details (if that) on the Land Wars that occupied the early days of our nation’s history.
Why were the land wars fought? Who fought in them? Where did the battles take place? How long did they last? The most basic of answers were that the land wars were fought between Maori and the Crown (often thought of as the British Army) because Maori were not happy with the confiscation of land by the Crown, with many of the battles being fought in the Waikato and Taranaki. But how long the conflict lasted many of us couldn’t say.
And that is a huge problem. Whilst it may not be a part of our history we like (after all we love to present ourselves as a peaceful nation), it is part of our identity and we should know it. For example, taking my own family as an example. My Great-great-great Grandfather came out with his young family from Scotland as part of what was called the “Waikato Immigration Scheme”. This was a scheme devised by the government to bring in large numbers of settlers from the British Isles for the establishment of European settlements in Waikato. It was the government’s hope to place military settlers onto newly confiscated land, consolidating territorial gains and increase security. The scheme offered free passage and a land grant. Upon arrival in Auckland, the settlers were housed in the Onehunga barracks. The scheme was a disaster. However, the point is that without the Land Wars, my ancestors may not have moved to New Zealand. Whether I like it or not, it is a part of my personal history and the history of this wonderful nation of ours.
So to hear, like we have over the last couple of days, that the Ministry of Education has stated that it will not make teaching the Land Wars compulsory is very disappointing.
Radio New Zealand reported yesterday that the Ministry Associate Deputy Secretary said it wouldn’t prescribe to schools they must teach certain subjects, but will maintain a broad approach to education, while the Ministry Te Reo Maori group manager said that helping schools develop their own content around the land wars was the focus. Both comments were made to the Maori Affairs Select Committee which was looking at a petition asking for a commemoration day and for the history of the Land Wars to be taught at schools.
It was disappointing to hear because the New Zealand Land Wars are part of our history. 3,000 people, mainly Maori died during the wars. Land was confiscated and new settlements built. A large swathe of immigrants came to this country in the hopes of starting a new life. And that is why it is important. Not only are the Land Wars part of our past, they are part of our present and our future. Treaty of Waitangi claims were made and settled as a result of the poor actions of the Crown during the Land Wars. We as a nation need to know about the Land Wars and understand them better (it was great to see that
historians are aware of the significance in more teaching on the wars). A better understanding of the Land Wars will get rid of the ranting by mainly Pakeha about the Treaty negotiations and settlements that are on going. Education plays a key role in this so come on Ministry of Education. Make our nation’s history important and a necessary subject to teach. We will be a better nation for it.
