Abstract:
The study of Pacific nations has an established history in New Zealand social studies programmes. Pacific topics have been popular in New Zealand schools, particularly those with significant numbers of Pacific students. Despite the popularity of such studies, little is known about the way in which Pacific peoples and their knowledge is represented in The New Zealand curriculum. The general image Pacific peoples that emerges from resources for schools is often superficial and limited to cultural components of ritual and artefacts such as food, dance, music, and dress. This paper examines the way in which Pacific knowledge and experience is located, represented, and legitimated in social studies programmes in New Zealand schools.