Māori New Year celebrations - Rāhina 15 - Rāpare 21 o Pīpiri

During the week of Matariki celebrations at Rangiora High School we had various events happening. During the Maumaharatanga (remembrance) ceremony (pictured below), the school was honoured by our kaumātua, Koro “Du” Kaiora Rogers as he gifted us our most precious pounamu Maungatere, which now permanently resides in our care to greet our students, staff and whānau. Tears were shared by whānau as we gathered at our memorial garden named 'Wai-Marama' in memory of Nani Wai (kuia) and Marama Clarke (student). We also paid homage to Matua Peter Allen (Principal), Whaea Hiraina Carran (teacher), and other family members who we have all lost since last Matariki. 

 Deliciousness was spread throughout the school with the smell of Parāoa parai (Fry bread) on Wednesday, drawing the crowd into the whare. We look forward to growing our celebrations for 2020.

MANU KŌRERO 2019

Te Whare Wānaka o Aoraki/Lincoln University

Ko te manu kai i te miro, nōna te ngahere
Ko te manu kai i te mātauranga, nōna te ao
The bird that partakes of the miro berry, the forest is theirs
The bird that partakes of knowledge, the world is theirs!

This year a team of 20 kapa haka performers from RHS and 2 Kaikōrero (speakers) took it to the stage to represent Rangiora High at this year's regional Ngā Manu Kōrero (Māori Speech Competitions).

In the Te Rāwhiti Ihaka (Junior Māori) our youngest team member Hira Ratahi took it to Waitaha speaking for over 10 minutes, in te reo Māori, about her views on what the tikanga of a new school of tomorrow could be. Hira was supported by her kapa team singing the waiata ‘Uia mai’, drawing the crowds with some beautiful solo performances by our young women. Tēnā koutou Juahna Te Omiraka Hura, Isobel Pascoe, and Tāwhirimatea Stone-Carroll. Whilst Whaea Mel and the team were at the junior stage, our Senior English speaker Max Cunningham, supported by our kaitātaki wahine Hinemoa Carroll, took to the senior impromptu stage. He spoke for 3 minutes about the topic “Great teachers, make great students”. Max was a most talked about Kaikōrero and placed an amazing 3rd place out of 16 schools. He was one mark off 2nd, showing the calibre of orators that are growing in our region and school. Max stood again in the Senior English prepared speech section, where he had to deliver a prepared speech for over 6 minutes. It was a great moment at the conclusion of Max’s speech when all of Rangiora High haka boys ripped out their perfectly tucked in shirts and began the haka Rūaumoko. All performers were on fire for the haka and it could be heard far from the stage. Congratulations go to all those who were involved - you truly made your people, teachers and school very proud. Many thanks to our families for allowing your tamariki to be with us to experience Ngā Manu Kōrero 2020. We go back fighting next year!!!

Ka nui te mihi ki a: Shout outs go to:

Ms Anderson, Whaea Mo, Whaea Renee, Ngā Kaitātaki, our Tumuaki, Karen Stewart and all those wonderful tamariki and whānau who made it great.