Tūhara Migration and Settlement

Season 1, Episode 2: Tangata Whenua

The Polynesian people who first discovered Aotearoa spent hundreds of years exploring the Pacific Ocean. When they finally arrived here it was unlike anything they had seen before. It’s a story of technological innovation, new horizons and becoming a new people.

Season 1, Episode 1: Prehistoric New Zealand

The story of Aotearoa begins 100 million years ago. Huge tectonic forces rip apart the old supercontinent of Gondwana. A brand new continent is formed, Te Riu-a-Māui/Zealandia, it’s many times the size of modern day New Zealand. We meet the creatures which called this land home and witness the geological and climatic forces which reshaped the land. 

See the history of Māori arrivals from 1200, European arrivals from 1642 and the  signing of He Whakaputanga from 1835 to 1839.

This animation is from the map table at the He Tohu exhibition.

This Tūhura collection explores the context of Whakapapa me te Whanaungatanga through the theme of migration and settlement stories.

Season 2, Episode 1

When the Tahitian Navigator Tupaia arrived in Aotearoa with James Cook in 1769, Māori and Tahitians had been separated for at least 500 years, and in that time a lot had changed! 

Season 3, Episode 2

Note: Mature themes

The 1950s saw an explosion of youth culture in Aotearoa. Stories about “bodgies and widgies' ' tearing up the streets on motorbikes, canoodling in the cinemas and hanging around in milk bars scandalised many Kiwi adults. In fact, it’s often said the whole idea of “the teenager” was born in the 1950s. But is that really true? And what even is a “milk bar” anyway? 

Season 2, Episode 1

The story of rabbits and other pests. What started with plenty of (h)optimism has led to generations of damage to our environment and economy. 

The introduction of exotic animals to Aotearoa by Māori, and early European explorers like Captain Cook.