Tū Mātau Ora facilitated opportunities for all students at Newlands Intermediate to participate in Taonga Tākaro to promote Te Reo and Te Ao Māori.
Tū Mātau Ora are local facilitators of Taonga Tākaro (Treasured Games). These Traditional Games provide an opportunity to engage in Te Ao Māori and to use Te Reo Māori in a fun and active way. Over the course of two weeks, Rangatahi learned these Tākaro.
Māui Mūrere - the aim of the game is to make your opponent fall off their Motu (island). Rival contestants hold either end of the rope while standing on different platforms. You can pull the rope, you can let it slip but you must not let goo off the rope or fall off your platform. The game requires technique and a combination of smarts and strength. This game was about being focused and fast and having a few tricks up your sleeve to unbalance your opponents. Judah and Sylas are the class champions for Room 9.
Pōtaka - You have Whai (string) and a Pōtaka (wooden egg shaped spinning top). You can get it to spin with your hands or by flicking the string. Students had a competition to see who could make theirs spin the longests. During the competition we were not allowed to keep it going by whipping it however we were allowed during practice. One student even came up with a way to kick to keep it going. This was an inside game with a skill focus on fine motor skills. We had a sense of happiness when we could get it going.
E te Tīmatanga - This is a hand game that involves rhythm, actions, and coordinated movement with a partner. Students try to do it in the fastest time possible to show their skill. This game was about working together and getting faster and more accurate to build our concentration and focus.
Mauī Matua - Using Harakeke Rakau students stood in a circle. Depending on the direction Mauī (Left) or Matau (Right), contestants release their rākau and try to catch the next rākau in the direction that was called. It was easy for those of us who have played it before, but hard at first for those of us who hadn’t. After a few tries our class was happy to compete with each other to see who was the champion.
It was really fun and exciting to play these games. We cannot wait for Term 4 when Tū Mātau Ora come back and teach us some new tākaro.