Stepping Back In Time 1860s
Travel back in time and experience life in the 1860s as an early New Zealand settler. Discover some of the challenges faced in daily life. (Not recommended in winter.)
Scroll down to the bottom to see our Option two for smaller groups Year 4+.
Option 1 (For up to 75 students)
Recommended Year 3+
George or Margaret Todd
As part of the introduction meet an Early Canterbury pioneer and listen to the story about their journey to New Zealand and their reason for coming.
Choose 4 of these activities:
V Hut Experience
Visit our authentic V Hut. Try thatching, sawing and a variety of other skills needed for pioneer life. This activitiy involves structured role play.
Pioneering Crafts
Make candles, rag rugs, tie knots and practice other skills used by the Early Settlers.
Packing the Trunk
Help pack a trunk with necessities for life on board an emigrant ship of the 1860s. This activity involves role play.
Immigration
Are you fit to sail? Fill in a Canterbury Association Form to emigrate to Christchurch, New Zealand. Find out about Victorian occupations, illnesses and ambitions.
School Day
Pay tuppence to experience a lesson with our 1860s school teacher using authentic text. This activity involves role play.
Bakery
Visit the bakery make a biscuit and churn butter. Find out about the process of making butter.
The following activities are also relevant to this era.
Cottage Tour
Visit and compare pre 1900 New Zealand homes.
Heritage Games
Play traditional games from early New Zealand.
Maori Toys and Games
Find out about and play with toys that Maori children played with in the past, for example Mu Torere, Potaka, Purerehua
Rural History
View early farming machinery and household items.
Option 2 (For up to 35 students)
Recommended Year 4 +
This option provides the opportunity to become part of an 1860s community consisting of three families and learn about life in a more indepth manner.
George or Margaret Todd
Meet an Early Canterbury pioneer and listen to the story about their journey to New Zealand and their reasons for coming.
V Hut Experience
Become a member of a pioneer family and perform some of their daily tasks. Try thatching, sawing and a variety of other skills needed for pioneering life. This activity involves structured role play.
Choose 2 of these activities:
Pioneering Crafts
Make candles, rag rugs, tie knots and practice other skills used by the Early Settlers.
Packing the Trunk
Help pack a truck with necessities for life on board an emigrant ship of the 1860s.
School
Pay tuppence to experience a lesson with our 1860s teacher, using authentic text. This activity involves role play.
Immigration
Are you fit to sail? Fill in a Canterbury Association Form to emigrate to Christchurch, New Zealand. Find out about Victorian occupations, illnesses and ambitions.