Classroom ideas - sealers and whalers

This page contains a broad outline as to how the material on Sealers and Whalers could be used by teachers and students in social studies and history. It is part of a section on pre-1840 contact and when used in conjunction with other features from this category will provide users with a concise summary of the pre-1840 period. This category examines the European exploration of New Zealand as well as the contact with those who sought to make profit from contact with New Zealand through to the humanitarian interest taken by the Christian missionaries. All of this set the context for the British decision to formally enter into a treaty with Maori in 1840.

We welcome feedback. Please use the comments box at the bottom of this page. 

Sealers and Whalers

The hunt for seals and whales attracted Europeans of all descriptions to New Zealand in the closing decade of the eighteenth and opening decades of the nineteenth centuries. Their ability to exploit the resources New Zealand had to offer was dependent on reaching a satisfactory understanding with Maori who were often needed to supply local knowledge, food, resources, companionship, labour and most importantly safety. This was a Maori world and European traders were there on Maori terms.

While this period is sometimes referred to as the race relations apprenticeship, it must be remembered that for many Maori during this period contact with Europeans was still rare. This reflected both the regional and seasonal nature of early trade and business ventures. The whalers usually arrived between November and April. While conflict did occur it tended to be the exception not the rule.

During this time Sydney became an important part of the New Zealand story. Much of the European influence here ‘was strained through Sydney first’.  Sydney received the bulk of New Zealand’s early trade and was the most visited overseas destination for Maori.

Social Studies

Culture and Heritage and Time, Continuity and Change are two strands in particular that are supported by this feature. It helps set the context for any study of the Treaty of Waitangi or early contact in New Zealand as it examines the impact of the spread of new ideas, the effects of cultural interaction and its impact on the lives of people. Another approach could be to use the Resources and Economic Activities strand to look at the impact of these industries as an economic activity and in particular their effect on species. How was New Zealand society as a whole shaped by the actions of the sealers and whalers?

NCEA History Level 3

The sealers and whalers who came here seeking to exploit the large seal and whale population represented what some have described as 'the agents of vice'. These men were here for one purpose; to make a profit. They were not here to change Maori society but for the sake of business had to learn how to work with  Maori. Maori became involved in whaling in particular but the lifestyle of these hard-working, hard-living men led officialdom to view them negatively in terms of their impact on Maori and New Zealand in general. Their story is an important part of pre-1840 contact and this feature can provide students with a context in which to prepare for the following achievement standards:

• 3.4- examine a significant decision made by people in history, in an essay.
• 3.5- examine a significant historical situation in the context of change, in an essay
• 3.3- there are any number of excellent historical sources relating to whalers and sealers that can be used as practice for final assessment

For more detail of specific activities relating to this period go to Pre-1840 contact activities- NCEA History Level 3

More Classroom topics

• See other ideas and activities relating to Social Studies
• See other ideas and activities relating to NCEA History Level 3
• For other resources for all teachers and students see The Classroom