Last year one of our teachers, Matua Glenn Mitchell, spent one lunchtime each week with a small group of boys who were interested in learning how to carve traditional Maori designs in wood. 

Matua Glenn was assisted by one of our parents, Matua Ivan Ngarotata. This informal lunchtime arrangement was so successful that the boys asked if Whakairo (carving) could become an NCEA subject this year. With several NCEA standards available and the enthusiastic support of the boys, Whakairo was offered this year. Nine senior boys are now taking it. 

One of the standards they are currently working on is focused on designing and producing a carving which retells the origins of Whakairo. Their first boards (pou pou) are customwood, but later in the year the boys will be carving in wood, hopefully recycled totara. Developing their conversational Maori language skills during the course was a goal the boys have also set themselves, to complement their Whakairo skills, so one period a week is set aside to advance their Te Reo. 

Matua Glenn is impressed with how the self-confidence of the boys is developing and how they are attaining academic success as Maori. What do our senior boys think of their new subject? 

“It is helping me learn more about my culture” – McGregor Farley-Stratford (Year 12)

 “I will have a lot more confidence when I go to a marae. I will better understand and appreciate the carvings, and also what the speakers are saying” – Danyel Jones (Year 11) 

Whakairo is also offered as a half-year option in Year 10 and approximately 20 students have started their new subject this week.