On Monday and Tuesday year 9 students took part in a wero (challenge) at Founders Park and a pōwhiri (welcome ceremony) at Whakatu Marae.

Originally scheduled to take place in term 1 to mark the end of our ‘Ko Wai Tātou’ (‘This is us ‘ welcome to Nayland College) unit, the trip was postponed due to the Covid lockdown. The intentions remained the same however – to find out about local history and stories and our connection to the region and to the marae in an interactive way.

Students took part in activities with their house groups but broke into smaller teams to participate in the wero. This was a mix of orienteering type activities, photo challenges and questions which could be researched around the park or online. Students were challenged to scale the Walter’s Bluff track to find a picture of Sir Stanley Whitehead, to take a group photo with a penny-farthing bicycle and to draw an image representing a local myth or story, among other tasks. Prizes (ice creams) were on offer for the winning teams and the enthusiasm and energy with which teams embraced the wero was impressive.

For many students the pōwhiri was their first opportunity to visit Whakatu Marae. Whaea Jenny Reneti provided awhi (support) to Nayland College, representing us and performing the karanga on our behalf. Matua Bruno Watkins and Matua Matt Penney were each kaikōrero at two pōwhiri and both did a heartfelt job of speaking on our behalf at the formal part of the ceremony. It was lovely to see James Reneti round off his successful year as Nayland College’s Kaitaunaki speaking confidently in the marae on behlaf of tangata whenua. 

All of our students gave the pōwhiri their full attention and demonstrated our SOAR values throughout the day. After a break for a cup of tea and some kai, we were invited back into the wharenui to hear some incredible stories from Matua Mark, one of the master carvers who designed and created the pou within. This was a real treat. Matua Mark holds so much knowledge, creativity and wisdom and his stories were enlightening.

The wero and pōwhiri trips are a valuable and enjoyable learning experience and also strengthen the links between Nayland College and Whakatu Marae and our tangata whenua Ngāti Koata. Thank you to the kuia and kaumatua who welcomed us so warmly and shared their stories and experiences so openly.