Eleven excited students from all over New Zealand independently fly to Auckland from their hometowns.

Immersion Hui had all but stopped in its tracks for 2021. Not only did Covid19 take its toll on the possibility of these going ahead, but also affected student numbers and where these could be held safely for our students. However, the Māori Deaf Immersion Hui named He Hui Turi was thankfully able to commence on Monday 21st June this year and saw 11 excited students from all over New Zealand independently fly to Auckland from their hometowns.

On arrival at Ko Taku Reo in Kelston Auckland, these students congregated at the Rūaumoko Marae and were welcomed by way of a powhiri, which saw the entire Kelston provisions turn out to welcome the participants. From day one, the ākonga, most of whom had never met before, really gelled as a group, and by the second day, they had written their own class treaty, to guide them and set the standard of expectation for their week's journey ahead. 

This particular Immersion hui consisted of workshops and presentations on Māori and Deaf culture, history, navigation, traditions which encompassed beliefs, moral values, language and tikanga. This gave our ākonga a concise programme to build and strengthen their mana and cultural identity as both Deaf and Māori. During one workshop a student asked, which do I identify as first? Am I Māori/Deaf? Or Deaf/Maori? The answer given was “both are correct”, opening up discussion on the immersion and fluidity of both cultures. This then led to the exploration of key moments in history for both Deaf and Māori culture which the students studied through storytelling, acting/drama, song, and traditional games. All the while, the learning being Intertwined with whanaungatanga and further, the preparation and cooking of a traditional ‘boil up’ and on the last night a hangi which was part of the festivities to celebrate Matariki with the enrolled school.

A pivotal moment of the Hui according to the students, was while practising their Pepeha during the week, some students found that they were distantly related or belonged to the same iwi and so the family was formed, and the group's sense of community strengthened.

The Hui ended with an amazing presentation from each student of their Pepeha in NZSL and Te Reo Māori, and feedback on other aspects of their learning over the week, in front of invited staff, who were deeply moved by their stories of transformation and belonging. However, in upholding the Marae protocols these could not be videoed from inside Rūaumoko. There was, however, footage taken of them earlier, practising their Pepeha outside the Marae, which I can now share with you all. 

Feedback from the Students and their resource teachers since attending He Hui Turi was positive and since then two of the students have arranged to have placement visits at Ko Taku Reo, with a view to joining the provisions. Furthermore, Noelani and Anahera were placed first and second in the recent speech competition, with Anahera sharing her pepeha, as videoed direct from the hui. 

Lastly, I would just like to add what a pleasure it was to be part of this group and watch their growth in such a short space of time. 

Immersion Hui, Creating future leaders through Learning.