Here are some photo's of 9 Miriomiro tauira (students) building prototype kites from their own designs this past week. We were working together in Pūtaiao (Science) to participate in small groups to plan and build our own Manu Tukutuku (Māori kites) using traditional materials, such as harakeke (flax) leaves and toitoi stems.

Manu means both bird and kite, while tukutuku refers to the winding out of the line as the kite climbs up into the air behind the runner on the ground. Kites were often flown at Matariki, so we were considering how we might have a traditional kite building (and possibly flying) competition to celebrate this special time of year!

Here's a link to Te Ara Encyclopedia if you're interested in finding out more about Manu Tukutuku: as apparently "Kiwi [kite] designs are among the most innovative in the world."