ACADEMIC Poisson-Frites at Akaroa
A lunch of fish and chips eaten “en plein air” was “de rigueur” for the advanced French class on their trip to Akaroa inMarch. But sadly, thanks to Covid, there were no French tourists to chat to while they ate, unlike last year. Three languages, three cultures and three different perspectives come together in the Banks Peninsula seaside village, and the class embraced it all on their day-long intensive. “The history of any place is always multi-faceted, multi-layered and often violent, and Akaroa is no exception,” says French teacher Susan Harding – who, along with a direct descendant of 1800s pioneer Francois Etienne LeLievre, acquainted the boys with Akaroa’s colonisation and key sites. “It was wonderful to have a local share her extensive knowledge and to tell us about the local iwi in a respectful and sensitive manner,” says Susan. The group learnt about Te Rauparaha’s raid at Takapu¯ neke, the capture and subsequent murder of paramount chief Te Maiharanui and the destruction of his people, why the site is sacred, and plans for its future. “We also viewed the site of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in the South Island. The O¯ nuku Church was a highlight, and we were surprised to discover that the Akaroa Deed of 1856 was signed just outside the current Bruce apartments.”
Callum Hackston and Claude Tellick enjoying some poisson-frites (fish and chips).
“ We were set different locations to find, either signs in French or significant locations such as the Catholic Church or the lighthouse. It’s a lot of fun to be let loose so to speak, and discover your way around such a cool little town .” CallumHackston
Year 13 student Callum Hackston, says the best part of the day for him was the scavenger hunt around Akaroa. “We were set different locations to find, either signs in French or significant locations such as the Catholic Church or the lighthouse. It’s a lot of fun to be let loose so to speak, and discover your way around such a cool little town.”
He says he didn’t fully appreciate how significant Akaroa and the surrounding harbour was to New Zealand. “This is both in terms of the French colony that was set up in the area, but also from a bicultural perspective. Onuku, just over the hill, is the only place in the South Island where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed.”
Christ’s College Canterbury
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