Episode 10: Hopes and Heroes
On this page: Exploring the themes | Curriculum areas | Key competencies | Links
This episode tells the story of New Zealand under the first Labour government, from 1935 to 1949. Radical reforms were introduced and the country struggled through another world war. It was a time of 'hope and heroes.'
Screening: Saturday 26 November 2005, 7.30pm, TV One.
(repeated Sunday 27 November at 10am)
NB: Please read the information on the Screenrights site http://www.screen.org if you are interested in recording this programme and using it in your classroom.
Exploring the themes
The themes lead towards questions such as:
- The Welfare State – the Labour Government introduced major social reform including health, education, the arts, broadcasting, Māori affairs, and farming. What effects did these reforms have to New Zealand society and how far reaching were those effects?
- Identity – New Zealand at this time was forming its own unique identity, taking pride in such firsts as Jack Lovelock winning the first Olympic gold medal for New Zealand in athletics, and Jean Batten flying solo from one side of the world to the other. How has this reputation been carried on today?
- World War II – another world war was fought in Europe and closer to home in the Pacific. What were the effects that this had on New Zealand society at the time?
back to topCurriculum areas
Essential Learning Areas that support these themes include:
- Social Studies in the New Zealand Curriculum
Social Organisation
Culture and Heritage Place and Environment Time, Continuity and Change Resources and Economic Activities - The Arts in the New Zealand Curriculum
The Arts in the New Zealand Curriculum - Technology in the New Zealand Curriculum
Technology and Society - English in the New Zealand Curriculum
Exploring and learning about language Oral Language: Speaking. Levels 3–4 Written Language: Reading. Levels 3–4
Oral Language: Speaking. Levels 5–6
Written Language: Reading. Levels 5–6
- NCEA: Geography
- NCEA: History
- NCEA: English
- NCEA: Technology
- Hangarau i roto i te Marautanga o Aotearoa
http://www.tki.org.nz/r/technology/curriculum/maori/contents_m.php - Tikanga ā Iwi i roto i te Marautanga o Aotearoa
http://www.tki.org.nz/r/socialscience/curriculum/tikanga/index_m.php
Key competencies
Relating to Others
This episode of Frontier of Dreams covers the first Labour government and its reforms
Discussions could centre around:
- Social reform - what it meant then for New Zealanders, and where we are now? And what might the future hold?
Rich questions to support this area could include:
- The social and economic reforms of the first Labour government made a significant impact on New Zealand society? What changes were made in terms of health, education, social welfare, and Maori welfare? Do they still stand today? If not/why not? Has this been for the better? What could New Zealand's social and economic future hold?
- The evidence of state housing in New Zealand is still in existence. Find out about the governments reasons for providing state housing. How did people feel about their new homes? Most state houses were of similar design. What were some of the good points, what would you change to cater for today's living? With resources becoming in shorter supply, what might the future of housing look like?
- Government took responsibility for broadcasting as it came into the public arena. Why was it necessary for government to take control of this facility? What controls does government have over broadcasting today? What is the future of broadcasting now that other networks like the Internet and mobile phones exist?
Participating and contributing
Identity – New Zealand was in the throes of forming its own unique identity.
Discussions could centre around:
- Significant events in New Zealand at this time such firsts as Jack Lovelock winning the first Olympic gold medal for New Zealand in athletics, and Jean Batten flying solo from one side of the world to the other. How has this reputation been carried on today?
Rich questions to support this area could include:
- Find out about New Zealanders who have achieved significantly in New Zealand in the past. How has their reputation helped New Zealand? What economic benefits are there for New Zealand today when people achieve on the world stage?
- How do we feel when we win a sporting event and why? How does our success affect us as a nation?
Making meaning
World War II
- New Zealand sent troops to support the allies in the war in Europe. Then war broke out closer to home in the Pacific. What lasting effects did these two events have on New Zealand society? How did those at who were away at war and those at home communicated?
Rich questions to support this area could include:
- Each year we have Anzac Day to remember our war dead. Find out about someone from your own family who went overseas. They may have written diaries or letters that someone in the family may have. Where did they go, who did they leave behind, how did they cope? How did their experiences affect or change their lives?
- War journalism today is a prominent occupation. We see it on television as well as in the newspapers. New Zealand had official war artists. Compare the work of the war artists of yesterday to the work of war journalists today. How well did they get their message across? What are the mechanisms for reporting conflict today? How do we know if what we are seeing on the television, radio or in our newspapers is accurate? What role is the Internet playing in providing us with new perspectives? How do we decide what is real and what is speculation?
- Posters were widely used during WWII to encouraging people to support the war effort, both financially and otherwise. Why were posters used as a main form of media? What techniques did the artists use to get people to contribute/conform? What media and techniques are used today to get vital messages across to society?
Links
Online materials
TVNZ Frontier of Dreams programme page
This area provides images and video clips from the series and background reading relating to the themes.
http://www.tvnz.co.nz/view/fod_index_skin
Archives New Zealand - Te Whare Tohu Tuhituhinga
This is the official website of Archives New Zealand. It gives background information about role of the chief archivist, what the archives contain, and how they are dealt with. It holds documents such as the Treaty of Waitangi and the Women's Suffrage Petition, and has links to information about holdings in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin.
http://www.archives.govt.nz/index.html
Christchurch Online
This section of Archives New Zealand website has two virtual exhibitions: 'Past Caring', a purely 'digital' display of records held by Archives New Zealand's Christchurch office and 'The Fabric of Christchurch 1850–1880', which has images of some of the steps early Christchurch residents took in rendering the swamp into the city.
http://www.archives.govt.nz/exhibitions/currentexhibitions/chch/ index.html
Christchurch – A Chronology
http://library.christchurch.org.nz/Heritage/Chronology/Year/1913.asp
Dictionary of New Zealand Biography
This website contains over 3000 biographies of New Zealanders who have 'made their mark' on this country. It has a basic and 'advanced' search facility, and a section containing snapshots of New Zealand history with maps and images to support text. The site also includes a glossary of Māori words that are used in the English language biographies, and are in general usage in New Zealand speech. The site is viewable in reo Māori and English language.
http://www.dnzb.govt.nz
Department of Statistics Tatauranga Aotearoa
The site of Statistics New Zealand contains facts and figures about life in New Zealand.
http://www.stats.govt.nz
Department of Statistics Tatauranga Aotearoa – Timeline of Main Events in New Zealand's History: 1850–1899
http://www.stats.govt.nz/quick-facts/people/history-1850-1899.htm
Dictionary of New Zealand Biography
Dictionary of New Zealand Biography – One Land, One People – The Great War
Through snapshots of places, times, events, and trends in New Zealand history, this section of the Dictionary of New Zealand Biography site offers some windows into our past. It contains maps, images, graphs, and accompanying text derived in part from the New Zealand Historical Atlas.
http://www.dnzb.govt.nz/olop_content/OLOP_FLASH.htm
History Detective
This year 11 history activity is designed to help students make biographical notes on key people in New Zealand's history. It is assumed that the background to a specific topic will have been taught and that the students have developed a list of names to research.
http://www.tki.org.nz/r/socialscience/curriculum/dnzb/doc/his_dect.doc
Dictionary of New Zealand Biography Learning Activities
A collection of year 11 and year 13 history activities written by teachers for teachers using the Dictionary of New Zealand Biography
http://www.dnzb.govt.nz
Hot Shots
A series of video clips with up and coming Kiwi creative talent, filmed by students of Wellington Girls College
http://www.hotshots.org.nz
Hidden Agendas – the films and writing of John Pilger
http://pilger.carlton.com/Identity
This page on the Montage New Zealand website contains information about the online collaborative project 'Identity'. The project explores what identity means to an individual and gets students to capture an image to express this. The images will be shared around the world through a virtual gallery. Teaching resources, privacy, and entry forms are included.
http://www.britishcouncil.org/montagenz-identity.htm
Kool Kiwis
The Kool Kiwis theme contains activities that relate to famous New Zealanders both past and present. The wide range of activities are focused on the curriculum areas of social science, mathematics, literacy, and technology. This page was developed for the wickED website as part of the Digital Opportunities project.
http://www.tki.org.nz/r/wick_ed/themes/kool_kiwis.php
Monumental Stories
This level 5 social studies resource, intended for years 9–10, teaches students about significant events in New Zealand which have affected important advances for women, allowing them to play significant roles in New Zealand's development. Includes an interactive timeline, interactive student activities, teachers' guide, landmarks, biographies, and glossary.
http://www.monumentalstories.gen.nz
National Library
Timeframes
This web site is an online database of heritage images from the Alexander Turnbull Library, at the National Library of New Zealand. It provides access to the images, information about them and options for ordering copies. Visitors to the site may either search or browse for material.
http://timeframes1.natlib.govt.nz/
Discover Te Kohinga Taonga
Discover Te Kohinga Taonga is an online resource of New Zealand art and music from the National Library of New Zealand. It provides all New Zealand schools with free online access to more than 2,000 multimedia items, arranged into 13 topic areas to support the visual arts and music disciplines of the arts/ngā toi curriculum. It includes photographs, paintings, drawings, posters, music, video clips, essays and bibliographies.
http://discover.natlib.govt.nz/
Kilbirnie-Lyall Bay Community Centre Oral History Project
This site contains descriptions of life history interviews with seven long-term residents of Kilbirnie and Lyall Bay. You can access audio clips and video excerpts from each interview. The residents talk about the dramatic physical and social changes they have witnessed in this area since the 1920's.
http://kilbirnie.natlib.govt.nz
New Zealand Edge
This web site has a positive New Zealand focus and provides biographical profiles of a wide range of famous New Zealanders. It also contains picture collections and reports on how New Zealand is featuring in the world's media. The site includes a collection of motivational speeches given by Kevin Roberts to audiences in New Zealand and overseas.
http://www.nzedge.com/intro/index.html
NZHistory.net
New Zealand Centennial 1939-1940
This website from NZHistory.net gives the background to New Zealand's celebration of a century of European effort and progress in New Zealand. Local and provincial events plugged into a full diary of national events – unveiling memorials, staging historical re-enactments, and music and drama festivals. It has specially commissioned publications of recorded stories of progress.
http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/Gallery/centennial/index.htm
Our Land Our Future – New Zealand Timeline
This website is provided by MAF (Minisitry of Agriculture and Forestry). It has a timeline about New Zealand from before 1840 to 1990. It covers land ownership and settlement, land use, commerce, social change, and government policy.
http://www.maf.govt.nz/MAFnet/schools/kits/ourland/timeline/timelin1.htm
Prime Ministers of New Zealand
A historical look at past Prime Ministers of New Zealand
http://www.primeminister.govt.nz/oldpms/index.html
Puke Ariki
This is the website of Puke Ariki, a knowledge centre where library, museum, and visitor information unites to tell the stories of Taranaki – past, present, and future – through exhibitions, displays, collections, and technology. It contains interactive activities for students and archives of historic photographs and information. The site can be read in English or Māori.
http://www.pukeariki.com/en/
Te Ara: the New Zealand Encyclopedia
Te Ara – The Encyclopedia of New Zealand
Te Ara – The Encyclopedia of New Zealand takes you on a journey of discovery. Beginning with the theme of peoples, it will eventually present a comprehensive guide to New Zealand – its natural environment, history, culture, economics, and government. The site can be viewed in English and Māori.
http://www.teara.govt.nz
Made in New Zealand: Ko au te whenua, te whenua ko au – Stories of art and identity
This web page from Te Papa's online Tai Awatea Knowledge Net profiles the museum's 'Made in New Zealand' collection. Tai Awatea Knowledge Net explores the stories, people, and themes behind treasures from current and past exhibitions at Te Papa. The 'Made in New Zealand' collection features samples of notable sculpture, furniture, silverware, jewellery, photography, musical recording, Māori carving, and other works with a New Zealand identity. Profiles can be read in English or Māori.
http://tpo.tepapa.govt.nz/ViewExhibitionDetail.asp?Language=English& ExhibitionID=MINZ
Matapihi
This website provides facilities for searching the online heritage collections of New Zealand's archives, galleries, libraries, and museums. The site is available in Māori and English and includes photographs, drawings, paintings, sculpture, and some 3D virtual museum objects, as well as sound files and textual items. It features the arts, geography, history, the natural environment, people, and events.
http://www.matapihi.org.nz/
Patterns of Identity
This site provides profiles on New Zealand textile artists and their art works, pages on Māori and Pacific textiles, a look at the Auckland Museum textile section, shirts found at Pasifika festivals, and examples of techniques such as tie dye and batik. It is suitable for use with ESOL students
http://www.textiles.org.nz/index.html
NCEA
Eng/1/9 – A version 3
This assessment material, entitled 'Aotearoa', supports internal assessment for New Zealand English achievement standard 1.9, AS90060 – Research and present information. It focuses on the student's own New Zealand background or interest as a basis for research. The assessment requires planning and recording the research process undertaken, recording and analysing findings, and presenting the research as a written or oral report.
http://www.tki.org.nz/r/ncea/eng1_9Av3_4feb03.doc
Eng/2/7 – A version 3
This assessment material, entitled 'I Know Where You're Coming From', supports internal assessment for New Zealand English achievement standard 2.7, AS90374 – Deliver a presentation using oral and visual language techniques. It involves students preparing and delivering a presentation to the class about some aspect in their history that has had a significant influence in shaping their lives.
http://www.tki.org.nz/r/ncea/eng2_7Av3_30april03.doc
SocStud/2/3 – A version 2
This assessment material entitled 'Head to Head', supports internal assessment for New Zealand social studies achievement standard 2.3, AS90273 version 2 - Conduct an advanced social studies inquiry. It involves students researching a current conflict that has, as one of its main causes, cultural differences.
Metadata record
http://www.tki.org.nz/r/ncea/socstud2_3Av2_14apr05.doc
HasFormat http://www.tki.org.nz/r/ncea/socstud2_3Av2_14apr05.pdf
SocStud/2/4 – A version 2
This assessment material entitled 'Generic', supports internal assessment for New Zealand social studies achievement standard 2.4, AS90274 version 2 - Describe responses to values position(s). It involves students carrying out a case study that includes values positions held by a person and/or people, and the ways others have responded to these values positions. .
http://www.tki.org.nz/r/ncea/socstud2_4Av2_14apr05.doc
HasFormat http://www.tki.org.nz/r/ncea/socstud2_4Av2_14apr05.pdf
SocStud/3/4 – A version 1
This assessment material entitled 'New Zealand – A Welfare State?', supports internal assessment for New Zealand social studies achievement standard 3.5, AS90692 version 1 - Examine a values system. It involves students examining the relationships between aspects of a values system. The values system examined in this assessment resource is that of Liberalism in the New Zealand context.
http://www.tki.org.nz/r/ncea/socstud3_4Av1_19feb04.doc
HasFormat http://www.tki.org.nz/r/ncea/socstud3_4Av1_19feb04.pdf
VisArts/2/2–G version 4
This assessment material entitled 'Local Landscape in Print', supports internal assessment for New Zealand visual arts achievement standard 2.2, AS90478 version 2 - Generate and develop ideas using drawing processes and procedures in printmaking practice. It involves students in the study of selected landscape and the investigation of works by a variety of artists who have dealt with similar themes.
http://www.tki.org.nz/r/ncea/visarts2_2Gv4_10apr05.doc
HasFormat http://www.tki.org.nz/r/ncea/visarts2_2Gv4_10apr05.pdf
Art History/2/5–A version 4
This assessment material entitled 'Research and Present a Seminar,' supports internal assessment for New Zealand art history achievement standard 2.5, AS90231 version 2 - Research an art history topic. It involves students presenting a seminar on a researched topic.
http://www.tki.org.nz/r/ncea/arthist2_5Av4_18feb05.doc
HasFormat http://www.tki.org.nz/r/ncea/arthist2_5Av4_18feb05.pdf
Art History/3/5 – C version 2
This assessment material entitled 'The Artist Speaks', supports internal assessment for New Zealand art history achievement standard 3.5, AS90494 version 1 - Investigate an art history topic. It involves students analysing statements of two artists about a selected topic and presenting their findings as a slide presentation.
http://www.tki.org.nz/r/ncea/arthist3_5Cv2_22jan04.doc
HasFormat http://www.tki.org.nz/r/ncea/arthist3_5Cv2_22jan04.pdf
Hist/1/1 and Hist/1/2 – L version 4
This assessment material entitled 'Magic Minutes: Our Community Yesterday' supports internal assessment for New Zealand history achievement standards 1.1, AS90209 version 2 – Carry out an historical investigation, and 1.2, AS90210 version 2 – Communicate historical ideas. It involves students conducting research into a particular building, monument, or other structure in the local community and presenting results as a taped radio broadcast.
http://www.tki.org.nz/r/ncea/hist1_1_1_2Lv4_11feb04.doc
Hist/1/1 and Hist/1/2 – P version 4
This assessment material entitled 'Newspaper Education Page: Making a Mark', supports internal assessment for New Zealand history achievement standards 1.1, AS90209 version 2 - Carry out an historical investigation, and 1.2, AS90210 version 2 - Communicate historical ideas. It involves students conducting research into a significant twentieth century New Zealand woman and presenting the results for a newspaper's education page
http://www.tki.org.nz/r/ncea/hist1_1_1_2Pv4_11feb04.doc
Hist/1/2 – R version 4
This assessment material entitled 'Enemy of the State', supports internal assessment for New Zealand history achievement standards 1.2, AS90210 version 2 - Communicate historical ideas. It involves students writing a report showing how a significant person in history seriously challenged authority or government.
http://www.tki.org.nz/r/ncea/hist1_2Rv4_11feb04.doc
Hist/2/1 and Hist/2/2 – D version 4
This assessment material entitled 'The Home Front', supports internal assessment for New Zealand history achievement standards 2.1, AS90465 version 2 - Plan and carry out an historical inquiry and AS90466 version 2 - Communicate historical ideas to demonstrate understanding of an historical context. It involves students conducting research and presenting a radio documentary, on the impact the Second World War had on a local community.
http://www.tki.org.nz/r/ncea/hist2_1_2_2Dv4_10jan05.doc
Hist/3/1 – A version 2
This assessment material entitled 'Changing Neighbourhoods', supports internal assessment for New Zealand history achievement standard 3.1, AS90654 version 1 - Plan and carry out independent historical research. It involves students identifying, defining, and using relevant sources and historical evidence to research an aspect of continuity and change in their local community.
http://www.tki.org.nz/r/ncea/hist3_1Av2_5feb04.doc
Hist/3/1 – C version 2
This assessment material entitled 'A Battle or Campaign in World War II', supports internal assessment for New Zealand history achievement standard 3.1, AS90654 version 1 - Plan and carry out independent historical research. It involves students identifying, defining, and using relevant sources and historical evidence to research a significant battle or campaign in World War II.
http://www.tki.org.nz/r/ncea/hist3_1Cv2_5feb04.doc
Hist/3/2 – C version 2
This assessment material entitled 'Designing a museum display - A battle or campaign in World War II', supports internal assessment for New Zealand history achievement standard 3.2, AS90655 version 1 - Communicate and present historical ideas clearly to show understanding of an historical context. It involves students preparing a display brief for a museum on one of the important battles or campaigns of World War II.
http://www.tki.org.nz/r/ncea/hist3_2Cv2_5feb04.doc
HasFormat http://www.tki.org.nz/r/ncea/hist3_2Cv2_5feb04.pdf
New Zealand's Top 100 History Makers
http://www.historymakers.co.nz/index.phpDuty Calls! War Posters of World War II
http://www.tepapa.govt.nz/TePapa/English/WhatsOn/ShortTermExhibitions/DutyCalls.htmDigital Conversations
Video-based conversations featuring leading New Zealand historian and editor of the Te Ara collection - Jock Phillips, ,and Basil Keane, Māori editor of Te Ara are available as part of the Digital Conversations site.
Digital Conversations is a collection of video clips from conversations with local and overseas personalities and experts in their fields. and participating schools. Each conversation is supported by curriculum material and association information. Details about up-coming video-conferences are also provided, as well as the opportunity to join the conversation, and request a topic or expert.
http://www.digitalconversations.org.nz/
Te Papa – Collections Online
Visit the growing rich collection of online images in the Te Papa Collections Online.
http://test.tepapa.govt.nz/col/ObjectSearch.aspx?sm=aco
Offline resources
The following information provides examples of books and printed resources which may be available in the school library. While some of the following items are intended for younger audiences, they might provide springboard ideas for this initiative.
Women's Role in Colonial New Zealand Society
Learning Media item 91192. One of a selection of resources that facilitate the study of history through access to copies of primary New Zealand documents. These documents include photographs, tables, legal documents, and cartoons. The teachers' notes include an essay, 'Assessments of Women's Role', questions for study, and suggestions for further reading.
0 478 05601 X [ ISBN ]
Suggested Activity
In association with the screening of the Frontier of Dreams series, schools might like to consider investigating and publishing a Living Heritage story which explores one of the themes of the episodes
http://www.cwa.co.nz/frontierofdreams/series.html
Living Heritage is a free, online bilingual initiative that enables New Zealand schools to develop and publish an online resource, based on a heritage treasure in their community. Living Heritage preserves history and culture in a digital format for every generation, and allows our children's voices to present a view of New Zealand on the World Wide Web.
http://www.livingheritage.org.nz
Associated Publications
© Scholastic New
Zealand Limited, 2005
Scholastic New Zealand has published a set of four books to accompany the Frontier of Dreams series. Contact: http://www.scholastic.co.nz/contact.html
If you have suggestions as to additional resources which could support the exploration of this episode or series, please feel free to email us at frontierofdreams@learningchannel.org.nz