Kia ora e te whānau!

We had a wonderful turnout for our first Hui Whānau Māori of the year.

It was great to meet up with whānau, especially little brothers and sisters, and to share what we are working on for 2023.

Thank you to everyone who came or sent in their apologies - it’s a very busy time!

Wairua Pūhou, our combined Otago Boys’ and Otago Girls’ kapa haka, brought the hui to a close with a rousing haka. They were acknowledged by a karanga from Janine Kapa, (Kāi Tahu) whose mother Alva Kapa gifted the group their name, meaning “Young Spirit”.

Wairua Pūhou are working on hosting events and taking leadership roles within our school,

and building tuākana - tēina relationships based on respect and mana. This year, they have had a shared lunch at a local restaurant, and helped with the annual Otago Māori Golf competition by cooking the players’ barbecue and performing at the awards ceremony. They had the honour of performing a haka at the tangihanga of one of our whānau, opened our school mihi whakatau for new students and staff.

Wairua Pūhou is open to all students. Our tutor Rinaria Hepi holds practices on Wednesdays in the school hall from 3:15 to 5 p.m.

If you have an event that you would like them to perform at, please contact Matua Mac Te Ngāhue at tn@otagogirls.school.nz

Akoranga Māori

Our Ao Māori classes are all working on the kaupapa of whakawhanaungatanga, with the Te Reo Māori classes learning how to formally thank the kaikarakia. The tuākana class has been sharing iwi connections using tribal sayings. Te Ao Haka students are composing waiata on issues that are dear to them. All Ao Māori lessons are held in our Rūma Māori, which is a warm and inclusive space.

Nāhaku, nā Whaea Joe, Kaiārahi Ākonga Māori

Profile: Lily Welsh - Manukura Māori 2023

Ko Kapuarangi tōku maunga

Ko Tainui tōku waka

Ko Wainui tōku awa

Ko Ngaitai tōku iwi

Ko Torere nui-a-rua tōku marae

Ko Welsh tōku ingoa whānau

Ko Lily tōku ingoa.

Tena koutou katoa.

Kia Ora e te whānau! My name is Lily Welsh and I have the privilege and honour of being Manukura Maori (Māori Prefect) here at OGHS this year. There are many opportunities at school for our rakatahi to begin or continue on their te ao Māori journey e.g.:

Te Wairua Pūhou - OGHS and OBHS combined Kapa Haka

Kāhui Korero - Māori student council

Ngā Manu Kōrero - School and Regional Māori speech competition

Hautoka - Southern Secondary School Haka Competitions

My vision:

For me te reo Māori is a way that I can connect with my whakapapa and further my goal of working within Parliament on Tiriti settlement.

This year, I would love to increase engagement in extracurricular activities with our Māori students. Having an activity outside of the classroom is a great way to meet many new people and to create lifelong friendships. It also gives our rakatahi a reason to want to come and excel at school. If you have any ideas for activities with a kaupapa Māori, please feel free to email me, 19187@otagogirls.school.nz