Research process

We started by mapping out a timeline of important events in Porirua’s History.

We then created posters in groups of two or three people.

Our topics were:

  • The First people / Ngāti Toa
  • The Whalers / The Europeans Arrive.
  • War of Weapons and Words.
  • Paremata School / Porirua Today.

Some of us also wrote legends and made manu tukutuku.

Lynda Fordyce, from Pataka Museum in Porirua, came to talk to our syndicate about some important facts in Porirua’s history.

We also went on a bus tour with Lynda to historic places in Porirua. This included visiting an old whaling station in Titahi Bay, Te Rangihaeata’s last fighting pa in Pauatahanui and viewing the remains of what was Porirua’s tallest building, the Paremata Barracks.

We then created a digital story called 'Turangawaewae - Our place' and published it on the Living Heritage website.