This KS3 lesson investigates how the British Empire changed New Zealand forever. Students will explore Māori society before colonisation, the signing and consequences of Te Tiriti o Waitangi (The Treaty of Waitangi), and how land, law, and power shifted under British rule. Through activities on the New Zealand Wars, land confiscation, trade growth, and the fight for Māori rights, learners will assess the long-term impact of empire on indigenous peoples and settler society.

Pupils will also use historical thinking tools like timelines, learn about turning points, and use structured paragraph writing to evaluate whether British rule brought progress, injustice—or both.

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