Learning in and from primary schools: Teaching Aotearoa New Zealand’s histories at Years 1 to 6

Abstract

This article shares insights from a survey of primary school teachers across the Manawatū–Whanganui region about history teaching at Years 1 to 6. By focusing on the voices of primary teachers, the article aims to fill a gap in public debates about the new Aotearoa New Zealand’s histories curriculum so far outweighed by the viewpoints of policy makers, journalists, university historians, and secondary school representatives. Teachers’ answers suggest that despite differences of approach, focus, and depth, local primary schools have already been teaching Aotearoa New Zealand’s histories long before the 2019 government announcement, and through creative and critical approaches.