Geography

Geography is the study of ngā taiao and the interconnections within them. We consider the question "What Is Where, Why There, and Why Care?" (Charles F. Gritzner (2002), Journal of Geography, 101:1, 38-40) so we can make sense of place.

The taiao consists of all things that make up the surrounding environment. This includes features such as rivers, mountains, people, buildings, and infrastructure. The taiao can exist at different scales and can be located wherever we place ourselves.

Features of the taiao are all closely interconnected, including people. We stand in the taiao and are intrinsically part of it. Therefore, in Geography, we attempt to consider geographic issues holistically.

Geographic thinking

Geographic thinking considers where features of ngā taiao are located, how these features interconnect, and how ngā taiao change over time. In Geography, ākonga carry out first-hand investigations of ngā taiao and the human activity within them. To do this, ākonga draw from multiple perspectives, including te ao Māori and Pacific perspectives.

Ākonga learn to think spatially and use maps, visual images, inquiry processes, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to obtain, analyse, and present information. Through geographic thinking they develop understandings related to patterns, processes, relationships, interactions, and change.

Geography kete

Ākonga draw from a Geography kete, which contains the tools for doing Geography. The kete also holds multiple perspectives, knowledge systems, and tikanga, which help ākonga to select the tools for geographic inquiry.

In Geography, there is an intentional effort to ensure that contexts in Aotearoa New Zealand and the Pacific are explored with te ao Māori and Pacific perspectives and knowledge systems.

Our tikanga includes manaakitanga, whakawhanaungatanga, partnership, and participation. Bringing tikanga into geographic inquiry means that there is a focus on stakeholder engagement. The skills developed by undertaking inquiry in this way strengthen career pathways into many sectors.

These perspectives, knowledge systems, and tikanga inform a collaborative approach to using geographic tools (eg graphs and maps) through wānanga and talanoa. These collaborative approaches help ākonga to develop robust geographic inquiry skills that include:

• asking questions about the taiao

• collecting data using relevant methods

• visualising and analysing data using technology

• thinking critically and conceptually to make meaning about the taiao

• sharing understandings about the taiao.