Learn online with FutureLearn and Te Papa
Are you interested in peeking inside Te Papa to take a journey into the wonders, taonga, and events that make up Aotearoa New Zealand’s history?
How did Māori get to Aotearoa New Zealand, and what was early life here like?
What happened when the Europeans arrived?
Who is Rūaumoko, the Māori god of earthquakes and volcanoes?
Why are our birds so stinky?
Why are Aotearoa New Zealand’s flora and fauna like “life on another planet”?
These engaging, free, and short (2–3 hour) courses are a great way to understand what made Aotearoa New Zealand’s land, animals, and people what they are today. Appropriate for all audiences – students and history buffs alike, there’s always something new to learn!
New Zealand History, Culture and Conflict: A Museum Perspective
Hongi, 2017. Photo by Mark Coote. Te Papa (107052)
Discover the social history of Aotearoa New Zealand, learning how the country’s bicultural national consciousness was formed.
Aotearoa New Zealand’s social history is built on a foundation of exploration and colonial conflict.
On this three-week course, you’ll access artefacts, treasures, and exhibitions within Te Papa Tongarewa’s collections to discover how Aotearoa New Zealand culture has evolved over time, identifying key historical moments that have impacted the formation of a national identity.
Who is the course for?
This course is designed for anyone with an interest in the Pacific region, museums, science, history, culture, or the arts.
It is suitable for anyone wanting to gain introductory insights into Aotearoa New Zealand’s history and culture.
Biodiversity, Guardianship, and the Natural History of New Zealand: A Museum Perspective
Learn how the natural history of Aotearoa New Zealand has shaped its unique biodiversity, Māori culture, and the values of New Zealanders.
Aotearoa New Zealand is a land of fascinating natural wonders, founded on a geological and environmental history spanning 85 million years.
On this two-week course, you’ll gain an overview of Aotearoa New Zealand’s natural history, exploring how the geology, fascinating wildlife, and culture of the islands are interconnected.
Guided by our Learning Team at Te Papa, you’ll examine relevant artefacts and exhibits to contextualise your understanding of natural history, conservation, and Aotearoa New Zealand culture.
Who is the course for?
This course is designed for anyone with an interest in the Pacific region, museums, science, history, culture, or the arts.
It is particularly suitable for international or local students who want to gain an introductory insight into Aotearoa New Zealand history and culture.
A History of Protest in Aotearoa New Zealand
Maoritanga - Scenes from Maori Life, Protests and Demonstrations. Hikoi returning from Waitangi, by Ans Westra; 1984. Purchased by Te Papa in 1993 with New Zealand Lottery Grants Board funds. Te Papa O.016265/1
For 25 years, the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa has been working to understand and celebrate Aotearoa New Zealand’s rich culture and heritage. On this four-week course, Te Papa will introduce you to a crucial element of that heritage: activism and protest.
From historic protests to protect Māori land rights to modern-day queer and environmental activism, you’ll explore a variety of social movements in Aotearoa New Zealand. As you do, you’ll get to discover some of the many fascinating objects in the Te Papa collection.
You’ll finish the course with an understanding of Aotearoa New Zealand’s rich and complex past, and a sensitivity to current social and cultural issues.
Who is the course for?
This course is designed for anyone with an interest in the Pacific region, museums, science, history, culture, or the arts.
It is particularly suitable for international or local students who want to gain insight into Aotearoa New Zealand’s social history and culture.
