This year our cultural leaders - Emily, Issy and Macy, wanted to celebrate Te Wiki o te reo Māori (Māori Language Week) by learning new kupu (words) and creating a kākahu (traditional cloak). This kākahu was created by all tamariki at Te Kura o Paeraki – Mt Pleasant. Each child contributed a feather and then Emily Rose created the kākahu with the help of her Mum. During Te wiki o te reo Māori the kākahu will be traveling around all of the classes.

The word ‘kākahu’ means clothing and also refers to all Māori cloaks. Each cloak can have a different name depending on how it is made. A cloak made from feathers is a kahu huruhuru. A cloak made from kiwi feathers is a kahukiwi. A cloak made with decorative tags (flax fibre) is a korowai.

The kākahu is a traditional woven cloak. It is worn on special occassions and holds stories of whānau and whakapapa (genealogy). It is worn with the highest level of respect and mana.

Our kākahu shows aroha (love), manaakitanga (friendship) and whanaunatanga (connection).

A special thanks to Emily Rose, Issy, Macy and Robin Arnold.