NZC – Social Sciences Phases 1–4 (Years 0–10)

Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC)  

New Zealand's no-fault accident compensation scheme, which helps cover treatment, rehabilitation, and support costs for people injured in accidents.  

Activism 

Taking action to promote, support, or bring about social, political, environmental, or economic change. 

AD / BC 

A traditional dating system:  

• AD = Anno Domini (‘in the year of the Lord’)  

• BC = Before Christ.  

Advocacy  

Publicly supporting or promoting a cause, issue, or group. 

Aiga  

‘Family’ or ‘extended family’.  

Alliances  

An agreement between countries, groups, or people to work together for mutual benefit.  

Antisemitism  

Prejudice, discrimination, hostility, or hatred directed at Jewish people.  

Artefact  

An object made, modified, or used by people in the past that provides evidence about history.  

Atua  

Māori gods and ancestral beings associated with different parts of the natural and spiritual world.  

Authoritarianism  

A system of government where power is concentrated in the hands of a leader or small group, with limited political freedoms and public participation.  

Biome  

A large region with similar climate, plants, and animals, such as desert, tundra, grassland, or rainforest.  

Budgeting  

Planning how income will be spent, saved, or invested over a period of time.  

Cabinet  

The group of senior ministers who make the government’s key policy and administrative decisions. 

Causes and consequences  

A historical concept describing the relationships between historical events or actions, with some events or factors leading to others. Historians analyse different types of causes (e.g. long term, short term, direct, indirect) to explain why past events occurred. Many historical events have multiple causes and consequences.  

CE / BCE  

A non-religious dating system:  

CE = Common Era  

BCE = Before Common Era  

These correspond to AD and BC but use secular terminology.  

Citizenship  

The legal status of belonging to a country, giving people rights, protections, and responsibilities as members of the country.  

Civic responsibility  

The duty of individuals to contribute positively to their community and participate in civic life, such as obeying laws, voting, and respecting others' rights.  

Climate  

The long-term average weather conditions of a place, usually measured over many years.  

Coalition   

An agreement between two or more political parties to work together to form or support a government.  

Colonisation  

The process by which one country settles in, takes control of, or exerts power over another land and its people.  

Commemoration  

The act of remembering and honouring people, events, or achievements from the past.  

Community engagement  

People participating in and contributing to the well-being and decision-making of their communities.  

Compound interest  

Interest earned on both the original amount invested or borrowed and on previously earned interest.  

Constitution  

The rules, laws, and conventions that explain how New Zealand is governed and how power is shared.  

Constitutional monarchy  

A system in which the monarch (the king or queen) is New Zealand’s Head of State, but elected representatives govern according to constitutional rules and democratic principles.  

Consumer responsibilities  

The actions consumers should take, such as making informed choices, using products safely, and understanding contracts and warranties.  

Consumer rights  

The legal protections people have when purchasing goods and services, including rights to products that are safe, fit for purpose, and as described.  

Conventions  

Ways in which things are usually done. For example, geographic conventions for presenting data and information help communicate findings in ways that others can understand.  

Credit  

An arrangement that allows someone to borrow money or obtain goods and services now and pay later.  

Crown  

The authority of the monarch and the institutions that act in their name, such as the government, courts, and public services.  

In history, the Crown often held direct power over land, law, and people. In modern constitutional monarchies like the United Kingdom and New Zealand, the Crown represents the state and its legal authority, even though the monarch’s role is mostly symbolic.  

Culture  

The behaviours, worldviews, knowledge, practices, norms, and traditions held by a group of people and developed over time.  

Currency  

The official money used by a country (e.g. the New Zealand dollar (NZD)).  

Debt  

Money owed to another person, business, or financial institution.  

Democracy  

A system of government in which people choose their representatives through free and fair elections.  

Deposition  

The process by which eroded material is dropped or laid down in a new location.  

Ecological footprint  

A measure of how much land, water, and natural resources a person, community, or country use to support their lifestyle.  

Ecosystem  

A community of living organisms interacting with each other and with their physical environment.  

Electorate  

A geographical area represented by an elected Member of Parliament.  

Environment  

The natural and human surroundings in which living things exist and interact.  

Erosion  

The wearing away and movement of soil, rock, or sediment by water, wind, ice, or waves.  

Ethical decisions 

A choice made by considering what is right, fair, responsible, and respectful of others, rather than focusing only on personal gain.  

Fa'a Sāmoa  

Fa'a Sāmoa (‘the Samoan way’) is the traditional Samoan culture, value system, and way of life that guides how Samoan people live, interact, and govern their communities. It is centred on respect, family, service, leadership, and cultural obligations.  

Financial planning  

Setting financial goals and making plans to manage money to achieve those goals.  

Financial sustainability  

Managing money and resources in ways that can be maintained over the long term without creating ongoing financial problems.  

Fono  

A meeting, council, assembly, or gathering where matters are discussed and decisions are made.  

Freedom  

The ability to think, speak, believe, and act within the limits of the law.  

Genocide  

The deliberate attempt to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group.  

GIS (Geographical Information System)  

A computer-based system used to collect, store, analyse, and display geographical data and maps.  

Global citizenship  

Understanding and acting on responsibilities that connect people to communities and issues beyond their own country.  

Goods  

Physical items that people can buy or sell, such as food, clothing, or electronic devices.  

Government  

The group of people and institutions responsible for running New Zealand and making decisions on behalf of the country.  

Governor-General  

The monarch’s representative in New Zealand, who carries out constitutional and ceremonial duties.  

Goods and Services Tax (GST)  

A 15% tax added to most goods and services sold in New Zealand. It is included in the price consumers usually see.  

Hapū  

Large extended whānau groups or sub-tribes that are part of a larger iwi in Māori society.  

Hazard management  

The planning and actions used to reduce the impacts of hazards before, during, and after an event.  

Human Development Index (HDI)  

A measure used to compare countries based on health, education, and standard of living. Countries with a higher HDI generally score more highly across these indicators. 

Hemisphere  

Half of the Earth. The Earth is divided into Northern and Southern Hemispheres, and Eastern and Western Hemispheres.  

Historical narrative  

Stories about, or accounts of, events, places, identities, and periods of time. Narratives are constructed from drawing together evidence from sources. They are constructed from the personal perspectives, ideologies, and worldviews of certain individuals, often those who wield power and authority.  

Historical significance  

The importance, durability, and relevance of events, places, and issues in the past. Historians debate what is historically significant, and interpretations of significance may change.  

Identity  

A set of characteristics that define an individual or a group of people, making them recognisable and distinct. An identity may be personal, local, or national. The characteristics of an identity may be shaped by sociocultural factors such as politics, gender, race, sexuality, culture, and the events and narratives that surround these.  

Ideology  

A set of ideas, ideals, and beliefs that are shared by the members of a social group, or that form the basis of a political or economic system and can become a historical force that influences people and place.  

Indigenous  

Describes groups or individuals that have a historical continuity with a place, pre-dating colonial societies. Indigenous peoples have a strong link to territories and surrounding natural resources. Indigenous peoples sustain and practise unique cultures and ways of knowing, doing, and being. They maintain social, cultural, economic, and political characteristics that are distinct from other groups of society.  

Inequality  

Differences in access to resources, opportunities, wealth, services, or quality of life between individuals or groups.  

Insurance  

A financial arrangement where people pay premiums to protect themselves against specified losses or risks.  

Investment  

Putting money into an asset, business, or fund with the expectation of earning a return in the future.  

International cooperation  

Countries working together to address shared issues, promote peace, and achieve common goals.  

Interpretation  

An explanation or understanding of historical evidence and events. Different historians may interpret the same evidence differently.  

Iwi  

Large Māori kinship group or tribe made up of people who share whakapapa and trace their descent from a common ancestor.  

Kaitiakitanga  

Guardianship, stewardship for living things and resources.  

Kaumātua 

An elder in a whānau, hapū, iwi or community. 

Kawa  

The protocols and procedures that guide respectful conduct, particularly in the context of marae and the sharing of history and cultural knowledge. It encompasses the way people speak, listen, and respond, ensuring that interactions are conducted with dignity, even when perspectives or practices differ.  

Kāwanatanga  

Government, dominion, rule, authority, governorship, province.  

Kiingitanga 

The Māori King Movement, established in the 1850s to unite iwi, protect Māori land and authority, and promote Māori culture and values. 

KiwiSaver  

New Zealand's voluntary retirement savings scheme that helps people save for retirement and, in some cases, a first home.  

Koha  

Gift, present, offering, donation, or contribution – especially one that maintains social relationships and has connotations of reciprocity.  

Landscape  

The visible features of an area, including both natural and human-made elements.  

Latitude  

Lines that measure distance north or south of the Equator, expressed in degrees.  

Lending  

Providing money to another person, business, or organisation with the expectation it will be repaid.  

Location  

The position of a place on the Earth's surface, described using names, coordinates, or relative position.  

Longitude  

Lines that measure distance east or west of the Prime Meridian, expressed in degrees.  

Longshore drift  

The movement of sand and sediment along a coastline by waves approaching the shore at an angle.  

Mana  

The authority, prestige, influence, and inherent dignity of a person, group, place, or object, which is strengthened through whakapapa, relationships, knowledge and actions that uphold the well-being of others.  

Manaakitanga  

Kindness, generosity, support, nurturing relationships care for others, and hospitality.  

Managed retreat  

A strategy where people, buildings, or infrastructure are moved away from areas at risk from hazards such as coastal erosion, flooding, or sea-level rise.  

Matai  

Samoan term meaning chief or titled head of a family (aiga). A matai holds a family title and is responsible for leading, representing, and serving the family within the Samoan cultural system known as Fa'a Sāmoa and Fa'amatai.  

Mauri  

The vital essence or life force that is in everything – whether a physical object, living thing, or ecosystem.  

Megacity  

A city with a population of more than 10 million people.  

Migration  

The movement of people from one place to another, either within a country or between countries.  

Misinformation  

False or inaccurate information that is shared regardless of whether there is an intent to mislead.  

Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) voting 

New Zealand’s voting system, where voters choose both a local electorate Member of Parliament (MP) and a political party, and seats in Parliament are allocated proportionally.  

Natural hazard  

A naturally occurring event or process that can cause harm to people, property, or the environment, such as earthquakes, floods, volcanic eruptions, or tsunami.  

Oral tradition  

Stories, histories, knowledge, and cultural practices passed down by speaking and listening rather than writing. Māori history has strong oral traditions.  

Papakāinga  

Original home, home base, village, communal Māori land.   

Parliament  

New Zealand’s law-making body, made up of elected Members of Parliament (MPs). Laws (Acts) are made and passed by Parliament.  

Perspectives  

The position from which a person or group understands and makes sense of the world, shaped by their values and beliefs.  

Petition  

A formal request submitted to Parliament or another authority asking for action on a particular issue.  

Place  

A particular geographic area within te taiao (the natural world) that has different meanings for people due to individual perceptions and experiences of it. Place can be local, regional, national, or global.  

Population change  

Changes in the number of people living in an area due to births, deaths, immigration, and emigration.  

Propaganda  

Information, ideas, or messages designed to influence people's opinions or actions, often presenting a one-sided view.  

Protest  

A public expression of disagreement or concern about an issue, policy, or decision. 

Pūrākau 

Traditional Māori narratives that communicate knowledge, values, histories, beliefs, and ways of understanding the world.  

Rāhui 

A temporary restriction placed on an area or resource to protect it and ensure its sustainable use. 

Rangatiratanga  

Chieftainship.  

Raupatu  

To conquer, overcome, take without any right.  

Resistance  

Actions taken by individuals or groups to oppose authority, control, policies, or change they believe is unjust.  

Responsibilities  

Duties people are expected to carry out, such as following the law, respecting others, and contributing to society.  

Revolution  

A major and often rapid change in political power, government, or society.  

Rights  

Freedoms and protections that people are entitled to under law, including those protected by the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990.  

Rule of law  

The principle that everyone, including the government, must obey the law and be treated equally under it.  

Services  

Activities provided by people or businesses to meet a need, such as healthcare, education, transport, or haircuts.  

Settlement  

The establishment of a community in a new area by people who move there.  

Significance  

The relevance or importance of something in a particular situation or context.  

Sources  

A primary source is first-hand information of an event, issue, or narrative, transmitted orally, visually, or in a written form.  

A secondary source is oral, visual, or written information based on the interpretation of primary sources.  

Sovereignty  

The authority of a country, people, or group to govern itself and make its own decisions.  

Suffrage  

The right to vote in elections.  

Superannuation  

A government pension paid to eligible older New Zealanders who meet age and residency requirements.  

Sustainability  

Using resources in ways that meet current needs without reducing the ability of future generations to meet their needs.  

Tangata whenua  

Māori as the Indigenous people of New Zealand, people of the land.  

Taonga  

A treasured artefact or anything of great social or cultural value. Taonga may be physical objects, natural resources, or intangible (e.g. cultural or spiritual).  

Taxation  

The system by which governments collect money from individuals and businesses to help fund public services.  

Tino rangatiratanga  

The right and responsibility of Māori to exercise self-determination, authority, and leadership over their people, resources, language, and ways of living, in accordance with tikanga and whakapapa. 

te Tiriti o Waitangi / the Treaty of Waitangi  

The founding documents of New Zealand, signed in 1840 between representatives of the British Crown and more than 500 Māori rangatira.  

Tikanga  

The system of values and practices that have developed over time and are deeply embedded in traditional and social context; the correct way of doing things.  

Tipuna 

 Ancestor – the eastern dialect variation of tupuna. 

Trade-off  

A choice where gaining one thing means giving up something else.  

Trade union  

An organisation of workers that represents members' interests and seeks to improve working conditions, pay, and rights.  

Tuakana-teina 

A relationship where a more experienced person supports and guides a less experienced person. 

Tūrangawaewae  

A place of belonging through whakapapa.  

‘Umu  

Traditional Samoan earth oven used to cook food for family meals, Sunday gatherings (to'ona'i), celebrations, and cultural ceremonies. Food is cooked using heated stones, then covered with leaves to trap heat and steam.  

Urbanisation  

The process by which an increasing proportion of people live in towns and cities.  

Urupā 

A burial ground or cemetery where ancestors and family members are laid to rest. 

Utu 

Reciprocity and restoring balance in relationships. 

Value for money  

Getting the best combination of quality, usefulness, and cost when spending money.  

Values  

Deeply held beliefs that influence the way people think, feel, and act.  

Weather  

The day-to-day conditions of the atmosphere, including temperature, rainfall, wind, and cloud cover.  

Whakairo 

Traditional Māori carving. 

Whakapapa  

Genealogy, lineage; a framework that details genealogy and maps interrelationships between all things.