Term 1 Week 1

2023 Te Ao Māori Programmes

At Ōtūmoetai Intermediate, there are a range of Te Ao Māori programmes that students can be involved in. These programmes support the learning of Te Reo Māori, tikanga, history, and viewing local and world issues through a Māori lens.
    by Otumoetai Intermediate Communications

In Class Te Reo
All students at Ōtūmoetai Intermediate will have two terms of Te Reo Māori with Matua Takiri, our Kaiārahi i te Reo. These lessons are timetabled into classroom programmes to provide consistency for ongoing improvement. Year 7 students will have weekly Te Reo classes in term 1 and 3, and Year 8 students in terms 2 and 4.
Our Friday classes include the Manukura leadership group, Te Ara Poutama - a Māori enrichment class, and Kapa haka. Kapa haka and Te Ara Poutama will begin in week 3, and Manukura, Term 2. These classes look to build a sense of whanaungatanga, mana, identity and pride.


Manukura (FRIDAY BLOCK ONE)

This rōpu is a select group of students across both Year 7 and Year 8 who have been identified as possessing leadership potential and/ or attributes that underpin our school, and cultural values. These students will have been nominated by their teacher and whānau, for the Manukura leadership programme. There will be no formal interview as such, however, we will be working on tasks and discussions in groups in block one where students' talents will be recognised in a non-threatening environment. The final group will be decided by week 9 of Term 1. This will allow plenty of time for our students who are naturally humble and are “behind the scenes” leaders to shine through. There will be an application that students can choose to either write or discuss. 


Any Māori Year 7 and Year 8 student interested in this leadership programme is invited to apply.


Te Ara Poutama (FRIDAY BLOCK TWO)This rōpu is made up of any Māori student who wishes to engage and grow confidence within Te Ao Māori. This is done by learning about self, team, and confidence building exercises. Year 7 students sessions run from 11:00am-11:45am, followed by Year 8 students from 11:45am-12:30pm. At times we will of course be altogether. There is no selection process for this group and it will occur every Friday in block 2 alongside the other enrichment and incredible minds programmes.


The following Ūara or values will be the foundation of both the Manukura and Te Ara Poutama programmes:

  • Te Reo Māori: The importance of Te Reo Māori. The school will support the students to speak Te Reo and will value and honour Te Reo Māori as being an important and integral attribute of a leader and the indigenous language of Aotearoa and our school.
  • Rangatiratanga: Leadership and responsibility. Students will exhibit good leadership and take ownership for their own turangawaewae, with responsibilities within the school, and its community.
  • Kotahitanga: Solidarity and camaraderie. Students will work in solidarity and camaraderie with others for the betterment of self, peers, school, and hāpori.
  • Whakawhānaungatanga: Active and positive relationships. Students will participate in, and build positive relationships that promote whānau as a source of wellbeing within the school and its community.
  • Manaakitanga: Hospitality and generosity. Students will have the confidence to express hospitality, generosity and mutual respect for their whānau, teachers, peers, school, visitors, and wider community.
  • Wairuatanga: Positive attitude and gratitude. Students will act with integrity and respect, express kindness, empathy and compassion, recognising and valuing their own indigeneity , as well as the culture of others.


Kapa Haka (FRIDAY BLOCK 3)
All students are welcome to audition for kapa haka. Although open to all, only a select group of approximately 40 students will be invited to join our kapa haka from those who audition. This group’s first session will be in Week 3, on Friday, block 3, 1:30 – 2:50, in the hall. 


In addition, we are about to initiate singing assemblies into our timetable. This will include local waiata Māori that are being learnt at all kura across our Ōtūmoetai cluster.

These programmes and classes empower Te Ao Māori within our kura. With your support, your child's involvement will allow them to:

  •  experience something new,
  •  revitalise and reinforce prior knowledge,
  •  reaffirm their identity
  •  feel a sense of school pride and culture.

“Kia oke ngātahi tātou, ka ekea te taumata o angitū”When we strive together we reach the pinnacles of success.

Matua Takiri

Kaiarahi I te reo