Māori Assembly 28th June 2019

On Friday the 28th of June 2019 Cobham Intermediate had an amazing assembly in Māori. It was an exciting time for all of Cobham as this is the same time as Matariki, the Māori New Year. Everything, including the Science Badges, was done in Te Reo Māori and the slides were up providing the translations of what the speakers were saying.

The assembly opened with the Māori leaders saying their Mihi. Each one was different and unique, representing the different cultural backgrounds they all have. It was a great way to open the assembly.

Afterwards, Mr Norgate gave his usual assembly speech, though this time it was entirely in Te Reo and included his own Mihi. Then we had the certificates and science badges, as well as ‘What's in the Bag’ with the negotiations in Te Reo.

One of the many cultural things included in the assembly was a TEDx talk by Tame Iti about Mana and knowing who you are. He talked about his struggles in school as the headmaster said one morning that he wasn’t allowed to speak Māori in school or else he would be punished. He also introduced himself by using his Mihi.

What a good way to preserve the language of the Tangata Whenua, and generate interest in the Te Reo.

Arjuna Shandavi

Student reporter