From our Tumuaki / Principal

Ngā mihi nui kia koutou katoa, warm greetings to you all,

We had such a special day on Friday this week. It began before dawn, with the blessing of our beautiful waharoa (carved entranceway). We are so proud of how our master carver, Hermann Salzmann, Ngāti Toa, has brought the story of people and place for our school to life in such an amazing way. We had a gathering of about fifty people here before the sun rose, to be part of the blessing. Callum Kātene, Ngāti Toa, performed the blessing, with Papa Jack (Jack Kaa) also participating. We are so very grateful to Kris Love, Te Atihaunui-a -Paparangi, Ngāti Rangi, Uenuku, who has led and guided this project, bringing people together to see it through to fruition. It has been his vision that has supported us, and his passion that has kept us going. Tēnā koe, Matua, thank you so much for all of your mahi with this.

The story our waharoa tells is beautiful, and can be read in full here. Across the top piece (the maihi) it tells of our school community, those who are tangata whenua (people of this place) and those who have travelled here from other places. It also gifts us two school guardians, a torohā (whale) and a toroa (albatross), who not only represent those travelling by air and sea to Aotearoa New Zealand, but they will also protect and guide the school and the people in it. The side pieces (amo) tell the story of rangatira (leaders) from Ngāti Toa, and who now also guide and protect us, and of Tāne Mahuta, who reminds us of the core school purpose of bringing acknowledging and striving for higher learning and higher purpose. Please come into school and enjoy the beautiful story in all its carved glory. 

Two families, the Love family and the Jamieson family, have also gifted two korowai (cloaks) for our kapa haka leaders to wear in performances. These korowai were blessed by Matua Callum as part of the waharoa blessing. They are absolutely beautiful and we are so proud of them. The korowai for the male leader is called He aroha o te ako, which means the love of learning, and the korowai for the girl is called He ruia o te ako - the foundation of learning or the sower of learning. Tēnā koutou, thank you to both families for your beautiful gift, and huge thanks to Ruia Harris and Nic Love, who created the amazing gifts. A picture of the korowai is attached below.

As the whakatauki at the start of this editorial reminds us, we walk into our future by looking back and knowing who we are, where we are from, and who has come before us. Our waharoa is a significant part of this, and hopefully it will guide and support ngā tamariki (our children) and tell our story for years to come. 

Our special day did not end there. During the day we had many people buzzing around school, working together and helping each other to prepare food and practice dances from around the world. After school our cultural celebration was a time to come together as a community, enjoy the huge range of cultures in our community, and connect and spend time together. It had a fantastic feel about the place, with delicious kai (food) being shared by families in our community, and celebrations of dances and performances from tamariki. We were thrilled with how many families came out to share and celebrate with us, and to connect together.

Ngā mihi to you all for being part of this, and special thanks to all the families who brought along kai to share. It was amazing, and we are so appreciative of your manaakitanga (hospitality). Ngā mihi in particular to Kirat Singh, who oversaw the event and organised it all so well - thank you so much for all of your amazing mahi (work), Kirat.

What a day! 

It is now time for a restful weekend, enjoying time with loved ones. Kia pai te rā whakatā, enjoy the weekend and we will see you all next week. 

Ngā mihi nui,

Urs