Keynote presentation to: The International Society For History Didactics (ISHD) in conjunction with the South African Society for History teaching (SASHT)

Teaching ‘difficult history’ in an era of high curriculum autonomy: A New Zealand case study

Abstract

It is a great pleasure to be in South Africa to talk about history education with you here today, especially on the 40th anniversary of Steve Biko’s death and at a venue only a few kilometres from Sharpeville. I would especially like to pass on to the conference warm greetings from Graeme Ball, chairperson of the New Zealand History Teachers’ Association. If you are interested in collaborating with New Zealand teachers in some kind of digital student exchange then please let me know, I know several that would be willing to discuss this further. Today, though, I’m here to talk to you about New Zealand’s quite unusual approach to history curriculum.