Last week we were able to offer 40 of our junior students the amazing opportunity to be a part of kaupapa Māori style learning for two days at Omaka Marae.

The wānanga was delivered by Hawaiki Kura who specialises in delivering authentic and innovative cultural learning experiences. The focus of this junior foundational wānanga was to help to build our collective knowledge of mātauranga Māori and the Māori world view, as well as strengthen connections between our tauira (students) to each other and this beautiful rohe. Hawaiki Kura specialises in delivering authentic and innovative cultural learning experiences. The first wānanga was delivered at Omaka marae and set foundational concepts of mau rākau as well as a haerenga to visit sites of significance here in the Wairau.

The wānanga are underpinned by the following values:

• Whakapapa - connection to self, the collective and taiao.
• Whakamana - Empowering our people to empower themselves and their community.
• Whakatipu - To encourage growth, succession and leadership.

Below some of our students share their thoughts about the wānanga:

Aroha Mihinnick

I didn't know what to expect going into my first wānanga, but once I got there I instantly felt a connection to everyone and everything. Hawiki Kura made me feel like a part of their family and everyone was soon growing together as one and forming bonds I never thought I would make. I learnt so much and also had heaps of fun while on this awesome experience. They taught us about the Marae, and all the stories and ancestors that belonged to it. They took us to the pou whenua on the way to Picton and taught us all of the stories it tells and why. By the end of it I was inspired to learn and grow my Māori whakapapa and background more and more. It was a really cool experience with heaps of laughs along the way, and would definitely take up the opportunity to go again.

Jayde-Ann Carlson

Going into wānanga on the first day I was feeling nervous and unsure of what to expect, but meeting people and feeling the connection with everyone definitely gave me a sense of relief. We learnt about the Marae and the meanings of the carvings which tells stories as well as learning about the people that came before us (the ancestors). The second day came around and they took us to the Pou Whenua and we learnt about how a Pou Whenua is a landmark, and just like the Marae the carvings on it resemble stories. After playing games, making new friends and making new connections, Hawaiki Kura made me feel like I was in a warm,welcoming and kind family. Before I came into the wānanga I was definitely feeling whakamā about my culture and how little I was connected to it, but Hawaiki Kura made it known that it's a journey that you have to take and that there is nothing to feel whakamā about. After hearing that I was instantly inspired to start my journey on reconnecting with my Māori culture and mātauranga Māori. I am beyond grateful for the opportunity that I was given and without a doubt I would definitely go again.

Amelia Dougall

The Hawaiki Kura wānanga was an amazing opportunity, and I’m so grateful that I was able to experience it for myself. When I arrived on the first day, I wasn’t sure what to expect and being my first wānanga I did feel a bit out of place. But after a short few minutes I was already feeling at home surrounded by my friends and classmates. I learned so much about the Marae and the meanings behind all the Māori carvings. Kylie Nepia was an amazing host, and I really enjoyed running our own learning when we gave a tour of the Marae to our peers. On Day 2 we took a quick field trip to the Pou Whenua and learned about what a Pou Whenua means to the land and the people. We played so many fun games and created a warm and safe environment to express ourselves and make the most of the wānanga. It inspired me to embrace my culture and made me feel instantly more connected to the presence of the Māori culture. I really enjoyed the Hawaiki Kura wānanga, and would love to go again.