About this resource

This interactive explorer covers 18 notable New Zealanders since 1840, suitable for Year 4–6 Social Sciences and reading programmes. Students can filter by category and click each card for a biography and a "Did you know?" fact.

Suggested activities

• Ask students to choose one person from each category and explain why they are important to New Zealand.
• Discuss: What values did these people share? (Courage, fairness, creativity, determination)
• Compare a Māori leader and a Pākehā leader — what challenges did each face?
• Writing prompt: "If you could have dinner with one of these people, who would you choose and why?"
• Research extension: students find one more fact not included in the cards.

Curriculum links

• Social Sciences: Identity, culture and organisation; Continuity and change
• English: Reading for information; Responding to texts
• Values: Respect for diversity, care for others, community participation