Auckland Maritime Museum

By Sam Randall

We recently went to the Maritime museum in New ZealandAt the maritime museum in Auckland New Zealand, I learned a lot! The Maori people used many techniques to find their way across the Pacific Ocean. They knew things like how to wayfind. Or using knowledge like islands to block waves, and ocean swells and create calmer water. The Maori people first arrived on the north island of New Zealand  in a boat: a Polynesian Voyaging Waka. That is the boat above! Although holding many people at a time, the Polynesian Voyaging Wakas were  narrow and unstable. After arriving in New Zealand, they found the New forests were vast and had thick trees. Therefore the Maori could build wider, more stable New Zealand Voyaging Wakas! Their knowledge of wayfinding and where to find calm water helped them travel across the Pacific. Therefore they became the first settlers of New Zealand!

I researched an explorer to write about. I chose Ernest Shackleton

as my explorer to research; there was an exhibit on him at the Auckland Maritime museum. Shackleton and his crew’s exploration of Antarctica was an inspiration to many others. When the crew’s safety was threatened, instead of going for glory as the first to cross Antarctica, he chose that his crew was more important. When trying to cross Antarctica on foot bad things happened. They faced huge challenges such as their boat “The Endurance” getting stuck in the ice and sinking

. Soon after they had to eat their dogs. He was persistent in keeping the crew encouraged. After months of limited food, and harsh weather, from being stuck on the ice, Shackleton made a daring voyage back on a lifeboat for help. Once getting a better boat, he made 4 attempts to find his crew. He finally rescued all members of his crew. They all survived, minus some toes. His bravery and persistence contributed to all explorers as inspiration!