The Intermediate team and Ruma Mahoe and Manuka Kapahakians visited the Marae with some of our wonderful whanau. We all participated in rich activities that planted the seeds of knowledge and appreciation for Maori culture and specifically the 8 iwi which make up Whakatū Marae. 

We had insightful and interesting stories about Kakati wharenui and the carvings within. We learnt to sing a waiata and were told the story of the how the world began from a Maori perspective. We learnt some taiaha or rakau moves too. All this came after we were welcomed onto the Marae with a traditional powhiri. A wero (challenge) was laid down and accepted by Mr C and we walked onto the Marae with females first (life bringers) and then the males (death bringers). We learnt how the roles for the men and women contributed to the making of a Marae and also of history.