“Ko wai au?” “Who am I?” and “No hea au?” “From whom do I come?” These questions are the basis of our existence, the foundations upon which we stand. They are ultimately our right to be. This week, Matua Eddie Hudson from Westlake Girls High School came and spent some time with the Year 2 students. He shared his tokotoko, a Maori ceremonial carved walking stick, and explained the meaning behind the carvings.

He talked to the children about their whakapapa. Through knowing our whakapapa, we gain identity, history and knowledge about where we have come from and where we belong. The children then created a feather with symbols, illustrations and patterns that represented things that were special to them. The feathers will join together to form a special korowai cloak. Keep a lookout for it.

Tēnā koutou Matua Hudson, we loved having you visit and learned so much.