Read on for book recommendations that tie into the new NZ school history curriculum
For Primary
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First in a series of illustrated biographies suitable for primary school children, celebrating the life of outstanding New Zealander Sir Edmund Hillary and how his achievements contributed to Aotearoa New Zealand’s collective identity. |
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Once upon a time in Aotearoa, scientists said this land had never had any dinosaurs. A woman from Hawke’s Bay found the fossils and proved them wrong. Written for primary school children, this illustrated biography tells the inspiring true story of Joan Wiffen and her contribution to Aotearoa New Zealand’s scientific record. |
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In a time when aviation was just taking off and women weren’t expected to have adventures, Jean Batten set world records for solo flight. Written for primary school children, this is the illustrated biography of a trailblazing New Zealander. |
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The legendary Burt Munro set a world land-speed record on his motorcycle! Written for primary school children, this is the illustrated biography of a determined New Zealander character who achieved his dream and found fame late in life. |
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Written for primary school children, this stunning biographical picture book for young readers tells the story of Sir Peter Blake, the world-renowned New Zealand yachtsman, adventurer and environmentalist.
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For Primary to Intermediate
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Aotearoa: The New Zealand Story For primary through to intermediate students this is a multiple-award-winning book about the ‘big picture’ of this whenua, its history and its people, from earliest formation to the present day. With detailed illustrations throughout, it’s perfect for reluctant readers and a range of learning styles.
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Amazing Aotearoa Activity Book Based on the content of Aotearoa, this standalone book offers a range of fun and educational activities about our land and its people, for early primary to intermediate level students. |
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Will a Māori god listen to the prayers of a ten-year-old Pākehā boy? Set in 1978 against the Bastion Point occupation, Conrad Cooper's Last Stand is award-winning fiction for senior primary and intermediate readers about colonisation, and the power of protest to challenge abuse of power. |
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For upper primary and intermediate readers, this warm and engrossing novel tells the layered, multigenerational story of Aotearoa’s colonisation. Covers the key historical events since European settlement through to contemporary times, with strong themes of biculturalism and connection to whenua.
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For primary through to intermediate students, an award-winning, fully illustrated guide to our whenua, our amazing wildlife and the history of human impact on our unique environment. |
For Intermediate to High School
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For intermediate readers through to junior high school, this action-packed novel is about a New Zealand coastwatcher of WW2 – people stationed on Pacific Islands to report to Allied forces on the Japanese Army’s movements, a voluntary job that came with immense personal risk. |
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For intermediate to high school readers, this vivid novel is about finding your calling, societal expectations of women, the extraordinary nun Mother Mary Joseph Aubert, and the realities of religious bigotry in late-19th century New Zealand. Capturing a past time and place as well as real figures from our history, this novel raises many points for discussion. |
For High School
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A powerful new historical novel from one of New Zealand’s best-loved YA authors Tessa Duder, exploring the arrival of Pākehā settlers to Auckland. A great read for teen fans of historical and adventure fiction with a strong portrayal of various historical figures. |
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See allLooking for your kid's next great read? Let our Puffin Ambassadors tell you why you should pick up Coastwatcher, a thrilling adventure novel for 9+ readers.
Give the gift of time to your little one and choose one of these gorgeous picture books to read together and treasure this Christmas.
Our Kiwi legends series has delved into the stories of many New Zealanders of note: Edmund Hillary, Burt Munro, Jean Batten and Peter Blake.
The NZ Book Awards for Children and Young Adults are a unique celebration of the contribution New Zealand’s children’s authors and illustrators make to building national identity and cultural heritage.
The highest quality books in five genres published between August 2022 and November 2023.
We've put together this activity pack so you can take a sneak peek and try out a couple of the activities. Use your hunting skills in Wordfind Warrior, crack the Land Loss Labyrinth code and get creative thinking about what your Atua would be as a supernatural being!
Long before waka touched Aotearoa’s shores, the land of the long white cloud was home to an array of creatures uniquely adapted to its environments and protected by its isolation. Take our quiz and see how much you know about Aotearoa's Wildlife.
Here's a fun activity from Gavin Bishop's latest picture book, Wildlife of Aotearoa. A spectacularly illustrated picture book exploring New Zealand’s unique landscapes and its incredible wildlife!
We sat down for a chat with David Hill and Phoebe Morris, the great minds behind the latest story in the Kiwi Heroes series: Dinosaur Hunter.
Meet Joan Wiffen, a super-determined, self-taught palaeontologist, and a Kiwi Hero! Who is your Kiwi Hero? Print off our activity sheet below and draw a picture of them!