The Pacific: Culture, History and Geography
A DigitalNZ Story by National Library of New Zealand Topics
This set of resources looks at the extraordinary area known as the Pacific, its sea of islands, environment and peoples from early exploration to colonialism and 21st century issues like global warming. SCIS no: 1978045
social_sciences, arts, english, health, Māori, technology, history
Topics
Pacific Flora and Fauna
DigitalNZ
War in the Pacific
DigitalNZ
Hot vents
Hot vents, or smokers on the Pacific ocean floor, are environments that give clues to the origins of life on Earth.
Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage
George Spafford Richardson
This patronising photograph shows New Zealander George Spafford Richardson who was Samoan governor from 1923 to 1928.
Alexander Turnbull Library
Pacific rat
The Pacific Rat travelled with people and colonised every Pacific island, with devastating results for flora and fauna.
Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage
Cook Islands soldiers
WW1 Cook Islands soldiers were known for their stamina. At El Arish, 30 islanders did the work of 170 British troops.
Alexander Turnbull Library
Animals crossing the Pacific
Earth's rotation creates a magnetic field that birds and marine animals use to navigate across the vast Pacific Ocean.
Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage
Pacific sugar
Sugarcane has become a lucrative crop to grow in Fiji.
Alexander Turnbull Library
Nonu, Weepu and Kaino
There is a strong international demand for Polynesian players of tough football codes like rugby and rugby league.
Alexander Turnbull Library
South Pacific Forum, 1971
Today climate change is a top priority for all of the Pacific island nations covered by the South Pacific Forum.
Archives New Zealand Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga
The Frigate bird
Important to navigators, the frigate bird symbolises freedom and power. Its image is often seen in Pacific art.
Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira
Moa oil
This artwork by Pasifika artist Michael Tuffery highlights the environment and questions the ongoing use of oil.
Puke Ariki
The Coconut palm
The coconut has huge cultural significance across the Pacific. All parts of the coconut palm are used in everyday life.
Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
The Pacific Ocean food chain
Plankton, microscopic organisms, form the basis of the Pacific Ocean food chain & are essential for a healthy ecosystem.
Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage
The Leger brothers
The Tongan Leger brothers came to New Zealand to enlist for WW1 service in 1915. They served in France and Palestine.
Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage
Kava
People of the Pacific have used kava as a ceremonial drink for centuries.
Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
Cyclone Val
With its 240 km/h winds and 15 metre waves Cyclone Val swept across Samoa in December 1991.
Archives New Zealand Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga
Sea cucumbers
Gathering and selling sea cucumbers was a profitable trade in Fiji and other Pacific islands in the 1800s.
iNaturalist NZ — Mātaki Taiao
Pacific hurricanes
Hurricanes draw warm air from the ocean. Their winds and storm surge can cause devastation across Pacific nations.
Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira
Cook Islands
DigitalNZ
