The Significance of Whales to Aotearoa New Zealand
This four-week course tells a story of Aotearoa New Zealand that weaves together natural heritage, Māori culture, colonial history, and the forging of the country as it is today. This story though, is told through a perhaps unexpected vehicle – that of the whales that call these waters home.
The whales of the South Pacific are extraordinary, with unique species, cultures, and behaviours. From baleen to toothed whales, you’ll discover the captivating creatures in New Zealand’s waters.
They also have a deep cultural connection with the earliest Māori, both physically and spiritually. You’ll explore how this persists today in fascinating and beautiful ways.
Finally, you’ll explore modern approaches to whale strandings, threats, and conservation. You’ll gain a unique perspective on conservation as you develop sensitivities to various cultural considerations in a bicultural society.
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Humpback whale/Paikea, Rarotonga 2015. US Embassy via Flickr. Public domain