NCEA Level 1 History

History is about engaging with the historical narratives of people, places, and events from the past. Ākonga will consider how these narratives are shaped and how they influence our understanding of both ourselves and the world around us.

In History, ākonga will explore local, national, and global contexts to engage critically with historical people, places, and events. They will explore historical relationships such as cause and effect, as well as the continuity and change of historical narratives. In an Aotearoa New Zealand context, History allows ākonga to nurture a growing awareness of Te Tiriti o Waitangi — its historical principles, values, and ongoing relevance. By recognising how the past has shaped the present, ākonga are able to grow as confident, questioning, and empathetic individuals, with a developing understanding of their own place in, and their connection to, the world around them.

History presents ākonga with the dilemmas, choices, and beliefs of people in the past. They will use whakapapa to connect to whānau, hapū, iwi, and communities within Aotearoa New Zealand — building connections with their own identities and building a sense of place. Place based History can be an effective vehicle for ākonga to explore historical significance. They will learn ways to determine the significance of the history that they learn and be able to debate that significance in different ways. This includes the significance of tūrangawaewae and the importance of having ‘a place to stand’ in Aotearoa New Zealand where people feel secure, safe, respected, and accepted for who they are.

Exploring the ‘relational space’ of historical contexts deepens understanding by illuminating the space, relationships, and connections between people and place. This is where the concept of vā can be applied as a powerful method of teaching and learning about people, place, and identity within History.

Ākonga will develop their understanding of the nature of historical inquiry and how it is based on evidence, which is the raw material of history teaching and learning. Historical inquiry is conducted using culturally appropriate pedagogies. When engaging with sources, ākonga will be able to critique the historical narratives and the various perspectives within and around them. Developing the ability to analyse sources allows ākonga to consider whose narratives are missing and whose have taken dominance. Their critical thinking will enable them to assess the strengths and limitations of the sources used, and recognise how they were constructed as well as how they might be contested. This may include the historical factors that contribute to shaping this construction, such as omissions and false narratives.