It was magical to see so many whānau at our Matariki festival last night. This newsletter article is to acknowledge the huge support our school/kura received to make it happen.

With gratitude to the following:

Māpua School whānau for attending the event and supporting the fundraising market, talent show - Māpua Market, Hiwa i te Rangi, Kapa Haka and Hangi.

Māpua 4 Square for their huge generosity and kai supplies.

Inghams for the chicken free of charge.

Goodman Fielder for the bread and cream free of charge.

Cam Trott, Sandy Quinn, Matt Brown, Rory Robinson, and Jack Trott for prepping and cooking the kai in the hangi.

Mick Brown (Ellie and Rachel's Great Uncle) for the free dry firewood. 

Whānau volunteers for supporting the Hangi zone project (kumara bed, palisade fence and Rōngoa garden) with a working bee.

Honk Perry (Hazel's Granddad) for the digger work for the palisade fence foundations.

Amber Beech and hubby Carl for all the mahi on the Rōngoa garden and building expertise.

Matua Mike Elkington and Whenua-iti for working alongside our tamariki in our Rōngoa garden and blessing its opening as well as being a tuakana and teaching and learning tikanga.

Ronald Peti and Te Awhina Marae for the carving of RONGOMĀTĀNE the Māori God of Cultivation and Peace.

Cameron Trott for the Mauri Stone - Pakohe for the Rōngoa garden.

Barbara Burns (local resident) for making 150 steamed puddings!

Pip Lovell for leading the charge with the stuffing.

Barb and Pete for their Hipi (sheep!)

The fabulous wahine-mums who helped prepare the veggies. Hundreds of pieces! 

Whenua-iti for the commercial chiller.

The Year 8 Girls for their awesome serving skills.

Reed Deacon for speaking on behalf of all ngā akonga (students) of Māpua School at the candle ceremony.

The AWESOME Māpua School tamariki and teaching team for the preparation and event management on the night.

Our amazing musical teachers and their rock band. 

It certainly was the result of some awesome generosity and team work!

Heidi, Whaea, Rory