2024 Pōhiri/Welcome

Ōtūmoetai Intermediate School welcomes all students for 2024. To our Year 7 students, and new Year 8 students, we greet you as you arrive with your own skillset, characteristics, and freshness. To our returning Year 8 tauira, you now become the role models and the drivers of the many kaupapa within our school.

‘Mā te tuakana, ka tōtika te teina. Mā te teina, ka tōtika te tuakana’.
'By the older sibling the younger sibling learns. By the younger sibling the older sibling learns'.

Kia kaha tātou.

Te Kura o Manunui Pōhiri

During our very first day, a delegation of students, including Yr 8 Manukura, Yr 8 kapa haka and ex-Brookfield students, along with Mr Popping and Matua Takiri attended the opening of Te Kura o Manunui (Brookfield School). We were welcomed by Ngai Tamarāwaho hapū, students and staff of Te Kura o Manunui in a formal pōhiri where we joined with other local schools, new students and families, as manuhiri.

During the speeches we learnt that Manunui was the name of a pā site in close proximity to where the new school stands today. Formalities concluded with the presentation and blessing of four portraits of kaumātua who are influential in the schools history, heritage, and connection to local hapū, Ngai Tamarāwaho.

A big mihi to the school’s tumuaki, Whaea Ngaere Durie, her management team, staff, and Ngai Tamarāwaho kaumātua who have fulfilled the dream of those, past and present.

We were honoured to be a part of their day and to have celebrated with Te Kura ō Manunui students, faculty, management, and hapū, as representatives of Ōtūmoetai Intermediate School.

‘E rere taku Manunui ki te toi o ngā rangi’
‘Fly my sacred bird to the highest echelon’

Ōtūmoetai Intermediate School Pōhiri

Day 2 saw our school participating in our own pōhiri process under Te Kapua o ngā rangi. Matua Takiri, supported by Mr Popping and our kuia nanny Maora, along with Mr Smith, Mr Stanley and Yr 8 students as tuakana, formally welcomed our new Yr 7 students as manuhiri. Through this sacred process our Yr 7 tauira under Maori tikanga, by mana whenua, formally passed into becoming fully fledged students of Ōtūmoetai Intermediate School. A special mihi to nanny Maora who made sure that processes were correct, and not compromised.

E te māreikura, te kanohi a tō tātou hapū ō Ngai Tamarāwaho, te mana whenua, e mihi ana.

A big mihi to our Yr 8 kapa haka who stood as pou and led our haka pōhiri, haka tautoko, and waiata, and were supported by the Yr 8 students. Acknowledgements also to both year levels as the behaviour, conduct and patience, showed was respect and consideration, and thus providing a glimpse at one of our school matapono (values), manaakitanga - respect, consideration and patience. You can view the video below.  

Ōtūmoetai Intermediate School, tēnā tātou katoa.

'Ko Ōtūmoe-tai timu, tai pari, taiahaha!
'As the tide ebbs and flows, so Ōtūmoetai remains steadfast'