Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand facts for kids
 |
|
|
Type of site
|
Online encyclopedia |
|---|---|
| Available in | English, Māori |
| Headquarters | Wellington, New Zealand |
| Owner | Ministry for Culture and Heritage |
| Commercial | No |
| Launched | 2005 |
| Current status | First build completed 2014 |
Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand is a huge online encyclopedia. It was started in 2001 by the New Zealand Government. The name Te Ara means "the pathway" in the Māori language.
This amazing website has over three million words. It includes articles written by more than 450 authors. You can also find over 30,000 images and video clips. These come from thousands of different people and places. The first parts of Te Ara went online in 2005. The whole project was finished in 2014.
Contents
A Look Back: How Te Ara Started
New Zealand had other encyclopedias before Te Ara. The first one was The Cyclopedia of New Zealand. It was made between 1897 and 1908. Businesses or people often paid to be included in it.
In 1966, the New Zealand Government made its first official encyclopedia. It was called An Encyclopaedia of New Zealand. This one had three big books. Even though Te Ara is newer, the old encyclopedia is still important. You can find it as a digital copy on the Te Ara website.
Te Ara was created between 2001 and 2014. A historian named Jock Phillips was the main editor. He led a team of about 20 people. This team included writers, editors, and people who found images and resources.
In 2010, a decision was made to add the Dictionary of New Zealand Biography to Te Ara. This dictionary has information about important New Zealanders. When Te Ara was finished in 2014, Jock Phillips received an award. It was the Prime Minister's Award for Literary Achievement. Now, a special team keeps Te Ara updated.
How Te Ara is Organized
Te Ara is set up in different sections. Each section covers a big topic or theme. Articles about Māori culture are special. They are available in both Māori and English.
The encyclopedia started in 2005 with its first theme. This part tells the stories of people in New Zealand. It covers how different groups came to New Zealand. This includes the original Māori and other groups who settled there.
There's also a quick overview section called "New Zealand in Brief." It gives you short facts about the country.
Exploring Earth, Sea, and Sky
In 2006, the "Earth, Sea and Sky" section was added. This part talks about ocean fish and sea birds. It also covers other sea creatures. You can learn about how people interact with the sea. It also explains New Zealand's natural resources. Plus, it covers things that shape the land. These include geology, volcanoes, and weather. The main focus is on things that are unique to New Zealand. Scientific facts are explained in a way that connects to people's lives.
Discovering The Bush
The "The Bush" section came out in 2007. This part is all about New Zealand's native plants and animals. It also covers the country's forests and landscapes. You can learn how people have used these natural resources. It also explains how people have tried to understand them.
Topics in this section include early maps. You can read about tramping (hiking). It also covers native forests and animals. You can even learn about taniwha, which are mythical creatures. Other topics include endangered species and logging native forests.
Other Interesting Sections
Later, more themes were added to Te Ara. These include:
- "The Settled Landscape" (2008)
- "Economy and the City" (2010)
- "Social Connections" (2010)
- "Government and Nation" (2012)
- "Daily Life, Sport and Recreation" (2013)
- "Creative and Intellectual Life" (2014)
See also
In Spanish: Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand para niños
