Geographic understanding of Waitangi Regional ParkTe papa rēhia ā-rohe o Waitangi

• Cultural history

• Human impacts on waterways

• Sustainability

• Kaitiakitanga (environmental)

• Personal responsibility for action 

In preparation for Geography 2.1 external exam, students research and visit Waitangi Regional Park and Ātea a Rangi to learn about the natural and cultural environment, location and formation of the Heretaunga Plains, local perspectives, changes to the landscape, and community interaction.

Students are encouraged to learn about Waitangi Regional Park prior to their visit through online resources  and by connecting with local organisations that manage the area.

“Waitangi Regional Park provides a classic example of how history affects wetlands, foreshores and the land. Used as a major source of food by Māori, as a critically important communication line by both Māori and early European settlers and being an impediment to development until the rivers were ‘tamed’, the area now covered by the Regional Park has been central to the development of Hawke’s Bay. The last 180 years of neglect, abuse and inappropriate development are now being addressed through retirement, enhancement of the remaining natural features and the creation of wetlands. Cultural awareness, public participation and educational opportunities are central to this development.”
-Garth Eyles, 2018

Class sets of Waitangi Regional Park: The land of many pathways; A Short History by Garth Eyles available to borrow from the Regional Council. Connect with us for support: enviro@hbrc.govt.nz

Key learning outcomes for students:

• Comprehensive understanding of a large natural environment.
• Explain human impacts on the environment.
• Explain how human perceptions have changed about this environment over time.

Tips for teaching and learning:

• Gathering data is important to use as evidence.
• Describing the geographic area is required.
• Link the the impacts to the ideas of a sustainable future, weaving concepts of manaakitanga and kaitiakitanga throughout.
• Impacts can be negative or positive.
• Use the Regional Council publication Waitangi Regional Park: The Land of Many Pathways; A Short History by Garth Eyles. Class sets available to borrow. Contact enviro@hbrc.govt.nz to reserve. 

Thinking
Students will use creative, critical, and metacognitive processes to understand a large natural environment as well as human impacts and their consequences on the environment.

Using language, symbols, and text
Students will use oral, written, and visual text to understand information about the area in preparation for their exam.

Managing self
Students will be encouraged to manage themselves independently, establish personal goals, make plans, manage projects, and set high standards.

Relating to others
Students will be expected to interact effectively with a diverse range of people in a variety of contexts to research the area and understand the perspectives that surround it.

Participating and contributing
Students will be actively involved in communities through explaining their ideas and making connections with the area. 

Demonstrate geographic understanding of a large natural environment.

AS91240 Geography 2.1 - Demonstrate geographic understanding of a large natural environment (external).

Other subject Achievement Standards with learning synergies

AS90811 EFS 2.2- Explain how human activity in a biophysical environment has consequences for a sustainable future (4 credits; internal).

AS91158 Biology 2.6 - Investigate a pattern in an ecological community, with supervision.

AS91298 Agriculture and Horticulture 2.6 - Report on the environmental impact of the production of a locally produced primary product.

Regional Council publication Waitangi Regional Park: The Land of Many Pathways; A Short History by Garth Eyles. Class sets available to borrow. To reserve, contact enviro@hbrc.govt.nz

• Waitangi Regional Park | Hawke's Bay Regional Council (hbrc.govt.nz)
• ĀTEA A RANGI | Atea
• Ātea a Rangi, Waitangi Regional Park | New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architects Tuia Pito Ora
• GEOGRAPHY AS91240 Achievement Standard (nzqa.govt.nz)
• AS91240 Standards and assessment examples: Standard 91240 (nzqa.govt.nz)
• Waikato Sustainability Education guide
• Hawke's Bay State of the Environment 2018-2021 report