New app tells stories behind our Path to Nationhood 19 Nov 2014
Related articles
November 19
MEDIA RELEASE
New app tells stories behind our Path to Nationhood
A new free app for smartphones and tablets telling stories about one of the most dynamic and colourful periods of New Zealand’s history is being launched today.
The six app-based tours of Northland – Path to Nationhood – look at some of our earliest events in history when Maori and Pakeha first met before the Treaty of Waitangi was signed, and follows on from the Waikato War Driving Tour app, completed in partnership with Waikato Tainui Iwi to mark the 150th commemoration of the start of the Waikato Land Wars
Developed by Heritage New Zealand and My Tours, the Path to Nationhood app can be used anywhere once downloaded – whether people are on tour, at home or even at school. The tours take them to places where stories about mana, kidnappings, shootings, rough justice, mistaken identity, high politics, missionaries – and even New Zealand’s first dairy farmer – occurred.
“The App is like seeing history through new eyes. The trails enable people to tour sites in Northland where some of New Zealand’s earliest historical events occurred during one of the most frenetic and fascinating periods of our history – events that ultimately led to the establishment of a nation like no other,” says Heritage New Zealand’s Chief Executive, Bruce Chapman.
As well as big moments in our history – like the signing of He Whakaputanga [the Declaration of Independence] and the 1831 letter to King William IV signed by 13 rangatira – the tours also tell stories of lesser known people and events.
Stories include the kidnapping of Tuki and Huru – two young rangatira who were taken against their will to Norfolk Island where they were expected to teach convicts flax-weaving. Being young rangatira – and men – they knew very little about working flax, which was traditionally women’s work. Embarrassed, Governor Philip King personally ensured that the two rangatira were returned safely home.
There are also some more light-hearted stories, but serious at the time. Stories like missionary Hannah King who – down to her last thimble – saw her worst nightmare come true when the family’s sole remaining turkey devoured her thimble after she dropped it. Facing the prospect of not being able to mend clothes, and with supplies long overdue from Sydney, Hannah grasped the turkey in one hand, made a neat slot in its crop, retrieved the thimble and then stitched up the greedy bird with her trusty needle and thread.
“The app tours contain a really great collection of remarkable stories that cleverly convey a sense of wild frontier, which was the reality of life in New Zealand at that time,” says Mr Chapman.
“The tours make this incredible period of our history come alive, and tell these stories in an engaging and accessible way. Many of the stories centre around some of our fantastic Heritage Destinations in Northland, so people can actually visit places where many of these people lived, and events took place.”
Written and researched by former Heritage New Zealand staff member Stuart Park, with Professor Manuka Henare and his team at the University of Auckland School of Business providing a Maori cultural and historical perspective, the tours incorporate audio using actors like Tui Ruwhiu and Michael Hurst, as well as sound effects that bring the stories to life.
A built-in share function also allows people using the app to take a selfie on the road and share it with friends, family and fellow travellers as mobile connectivity allows.
“We’re sure people will really love the experience of taking these tours and hearing the stories – and if people can’t get to Northland to see the places first hand, they can still download the app and enjoy the stories anywhere they happen to be,” says Mr Chapman.
“We’re proud to be able to offer these high quality app tours free of charge.”
For a free download of the Path to Nationhood suite of Northland tours visit heritage.org.nz/apps or search for Heritage Trails through your online app store.
Background:
• The six Path to
Nationhood app-based tours are available through Heritage
New Zealand’s free Heritage Trails app – to download:
heritage.org.nz/apps
• There are five
land-based tours and one sea-based tour covering the Bay of
Islands and the Hokianga.
• The tours work for both
Android and Apple format smartphones and tablets, and
include useful trip advice and additional information for
further reading for people hooked on learning more about
this period of history.
• The Path to Nationhood suite
of tours include:
- Path to Nationhood
- On a
Mission
- From the Sea
- Coasting North
- To the
West
- Twin Coast Discovery
• The tours look at the
contact and interaction between Maori and a diverse group of
Pakeha who arrived in New Zealand – including
missionaries, whalers, traders, vagabonds, soldiers,
governors, land-grabbers, politicians, gentle-folk and even
a few Aussie convicts.
• This contact and interaction
ultimately led to the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in
1840, and the path to nationhood.
• Key moments in
history are incorporated in the tours – including the 1831
letter to King William IV, which was signed by 13 Northland
Rangatira who petitioned the king for help to protect their
land against colonisation by the French, and to bring order
to lawless settlers – among other things.
• The
signing of He Whakaputanga [the Declaration of Independence]
in 1835 is also included along with the story of
enterprising rangatira Ruatara whose chiefly mana enabled
Samuel Marsden to establish the first Christian mission at
Hohi in the Bay of Islands in 1814. The bicentennial of
Marsden’s Christmas sermon will be celebrated on-site at
Hohi on Christmas Day this year.
News
Hilary Timmins' Award-Winning UK Documentary Series To Inspire NZ Students
29 Jun 2020 Education
Dream Catchers, produced and directed by Hilary Timmins, celebrates the success stories of more than thirty inspirational New... more
New Zealand reaffirms support for Flight MH17 judicial process
7 Mar 2020 News
Ahead of the start of the criminal trial in the Netherlands on 9 March, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has reaffirmed the need to... more
Business
NZ Government's Economic package to fight COVID-19
17 Mar 2020 Business News
The Coalition Government has launched the most significant peace-time economic plan in modern New Zealand history to cushion the... more
NZ Government announces aviation relief package
19 Mar 2020 Business News
Transport Minister Phil Twyford today outlined the first tranche of the $600 million aviation sector relief package announced earlier... more
Living
Diversity was Key at New Zealand Trade Tasting in London
6 Jun 2022 Food & Wine
New Zealand Winegrowers Annual Trade Tasting was recently held in London, on Wednesday 4 May, in Lindley Hall.
It was the first... more
Kiwi author stuns Behind the Butterfly Gate
12 Jan 2022 Arts
Hidden behind the Butterfly Gate is where the secret has been kept for 76 years...
New Zealand writer Merryn Corcoran’s... more
Property
Fairer rules for tenants and landlords
17 Nov 2019 Property
17 NOVEMBER 2019
The Government has delivered on its promise to the over one million New Zealanders who now rent to make it fairer... more
New Zealand Government will not implement a Capital Gains Tax
17 Apr 2019 Property
The Coalition Government will not proceed with the Tax Working Group’s recommendation for a capital gains tax, Jacinda Ardern... more
Migration
Boosting border security with electronic travel authority – now over 500,000 issued
19 Nov 2019 Migration
19 NOVEMBER 2019
We’ve improved border security with the NZeTA, New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority, which helps us to... more
Christchurch reinstated as refugee settlement location
18 Aug 2018 Migration
18 AUGUST 2018
HON IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY
The announcement that Christchurch can once again be a settlement location for refugees... more
Travel
Gallipoli Anzac Day services cancelled
19 Mar 2020 Travel & Tourism
The New Zealand and Australian Governments have announced this year’s joint Anzac Day services at Gallipoli will be cancelled... more
New Zealanders advised not to travel overseas
19 Mar 2020 Travel & Tourism
New Zealanders advised not to travel overseas
more
Sport
The Skipper's Diary: Sir Richard Hadlee honouring his father and NZ's Forty-Niners
27 Oct 2019 Cricket
NZNewsUK London Editor Charlotte Everett spoke to Sir Richard Hadlee about why he’s chosen to publish his father’s... more
PREVIEW: All Blacks v England semi-final
26 Oct 2019 Rugby
The two most convincing quarterfinals winners are set to square off in a semifinal showdown for the ages when the All Blacks meet old... more
Columns
Gordon Campbell on the Gareth Morgan crusade
11 Nov 2016 Opinion
Gordon Campbell on the Gareth Morgan crusade
First published on Werewolf
The ghastly likes of Marine Le Pen in France and Geert ... more
Gordon Campbell on the US election outcome
10 Nov 2016 Opinion
Column - Gordon Campbell
Gordon Campbell on the US election outcome
Well um.. on the bright side, there (probably)... more
Kiwi Success
Congratulations to Loder Cup winner
26 Sep 2018 People
25 SEPTEMBER 2018
The Loder Cup, one of New Zealand’s oldest conservation awards, has been awarded to Robert McGowan for 2018... more
Appointments to New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO
16 Aug 2018 Appointments
16 AUGUST 2018Appointments to New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO
HON JENNY SALESA
Associate Education Minister Jenny Salesa is... more
Recruitment
Historic pay equity settlement for education support workers
14 Aug 2018 Recruitment
14 AUGUST 2018Historic pay equity settlement for education support workers
RT HON JACINDA ARDERN
HON CHRIS HIPKINS
Prime Minister
The... more
Historic pay equity settlement for education support workers
22 Aug 2018 Recruitment
14 AUGUST 2018Historic pay equity settlement for education support workers
RT HON JACINDA ARDERN
HON CHRIS HIPKINS
Prime Minister
The... more