Something Happened Here.

Aotearoa NZ Histories.

Something Happened Here references the sad legacy our country has of being unaware or uninterested in its own histories. Too often we pass by an empty paddock or a vacant building completely unaware that it is the site of a significant moment within our nation’s history.

But it also aims to capitalise on the wonderful age group of Year 4-10 students. A developmental age that are big dreamers, change seekers and who respond well to unpicking mysteries and accepting challenges.

32 Stories connected to 32 locations stretching the length and breadth of the country.

• Each story

  • Begins with a photograph and a latitude/longitude as the only clue to location;

  • Has an element of the lesser known about it.

  • Has a task based treasure hunt attached to it;

  • Has a series of tasks that unlock as the previous one is solved;

  • Reveals itself as students find the answers to each task;

  • Utilises NZ owned research databases such as Digital NZ and NZ Archives;

  • Allows for any resource developed externally by any party to be incorporated.

  • Uses a wide range of online primary and secondary sources - photos, maps, newspaper, sound recordings, documents, podcasts, modern day documentaries, songs, poems etc.

  • Exposes us to a range of perspectives on a single story.

  • Allows for multiple versions of histories to not just be presented but sought out by students.

  • Connects with a larger historical/social sciences theme.

  • It is proposed that 50% have origins in Te Aō Māori with a focus on addressing story sovereignty.