Ella Spark's kōrero at graduation was quite something and we would like to share it with you all

Tēnā koutou katoa

Kei te mihi au ki a Maukatere etū mai rā

Kei te mihi au ki a Rakahuri e rere mai nei

Ko Ngāti Pakeha tōku iwi

Ko te mana whenua ō Ngāi Tapu tēnā koutou

Ko Julian Spark tōku matua

Ko Pam Spark tōku whaea

Ko Ruby tōku tuakana

Ko Ben tōku tungane

Ko Lily tōku teina

Ko Rangiora tōku kura

Nō Tuahiwi ahau

Nō Sumner tōku kainga inaianei

Ko Ella Spark tōku ingoa

Nō reira tēnā koutou katoa.

Ko Ranginui e tū ake nei. Ko Papatūānuku e takato nei. Haere mai, haere mai ki te karanga o te wā me ngā tini mate i pīkau haere nei mātou. Ko ahau e tū ake nei, te tuku mihi ki a koutou e aku piki amokura, e aku pare huia. E ngā manu taiko, tēnā koutou tēnei te mihi, mō koutou i whakaihuwaka i a mātou. Whakatau mai ki runga i a tātou i tēnei wā. Nō reira, e ngā mate haere, haere, haere atu rā. Nō reira, haere mai te tini me te mano. Haere mai i runga i te kaupapa i whakahuihuitia ai tātou.

Nō reira tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā tātou katoa.

This year swallowed us with uncertainty,

Legs stuck, there were times we moved with pain.

We lost many, those many were brothers, sisters, daughters, sons, friends, whānau,

Those many were reasons some would smile in the day, they were mentors, carers, helpers, they were joy in lives.

Those many won’t be forgotten. 

This year tested our ability to adapt. We spent time bundled at home, This time for some a struggle, others a breeze, this time for all, a break. A break from the mad rushing lives we live, from the business we create.

A reflection of our day to day privileges, the effect of human connection.

Our year jumped from ‘normal life’ to weeks where the supermarket was our biggest trip.

A time where our inner child opened, finding fun in simple things. This beautiful landscape we have to find peace and play. Rivers braiding through our lands, weaving our connections,

The alps holding the height of the mana in each being,

The beach a drive away, pulsing peace of mind,

Our walks that lead to crashing waterfalls or untouched forests.

We are lucky.

Our world seemed to shrink into a bubble, that bubble at times became as small as our whānau. But how lucky did we feel when levels changed, when our bubbles bounced together, merging like our braided rivers. Acknowledge the strength we felt, we are feeling standing together. The meaning it gave to what seemed to be such normal things, some even boring, like being in a classroom, going to rugby practise, performances, how cool did it feel when we had the opportunity to do such things.

As we travel forward, our new awaiting chapter, our lives will only grow. New people, new opportunities, new challenges. At times our bubble may seem to shrink, but we are traveling together. New change, having to adapt can be scary but we all do it, this year has shown that and we will continue to. We have built resilience through this year, through high school, and our lives. Coming from such uncertainty and in this world the future holds the same. Reflection from this slowness we can push in to change. Find joy in the little things, music that sings to you, walks that remind you of nature's beauty, food that brings home. Move forward with kindness. Be gentle and considerate. Ngā mihi nui, Thank you to our teachers and staff, to our whānau, and to peers for pushing us to this point.

Manaaki whenua,

Manaaki tangata,

Haere Whakamua

Care for the land,

Care for people,

Move forward.

Me ingoi tahi tatou

Pou hihiri

Pou rarama

Pou te whakaaro

Pou o te tangata

Pou o te aroha

Te pou e here nei i a tatou

Mauri ora ki a tatou

Haumi e, hui e, TAIKI E!