Our kura/school is the place where many tamariki/children (and in many cases whanau/family when learning through their children) start living and breathing the two worlds of Te Ao Māori and Te Ao Pākehā.

Many of us (parents) who attended school last century and those who have immigrated to Aotearoa are learning Te Reo Māori , values and beliefs that make up Te Ao Māori as adults – and there is a lot to learn.

Here at Rangiora Borough School we are privileged to have Ngā Rākau e Rua at the centre of our school – a learning environment and programme that supports tamariki learn Te Reo and identify with their Māori culture while being educated in an English medium school and curriculum. All

children at RBS benefit from the presence of Ngā Rākau e Rua as teaching staff and students reach out to the wider school sharing Te Ao Māori and broadening our understanding of living a bi-cultural life.

This year we are celebrating the 10th anniversary of Ngā Rākau e Rua and we are inviting our school whanau and wider community to get involved. There are three components to our project – landscaping the area between Ngā Rākau e Rua and the street; commissioning and painting a mural on the wall; and designing and building a pou. The mural will be representative of the school community and the native garden underpinning and connecting to Mana whenua - Kai Tahu. Together, these will beautify and culturally enhance the area outside Ngā Rākau e Rua, creating a physical manifestation of the coming together of Te Ao Māori and Te Ao Pākehā in our kura.

To make this happen, we’re calling on our school community to make contributions. We need financial donations, assistance with things like landscaping, scaffolding, building materials, and temporary fencing. We aim to have this work completed in time for Matariki 2025, when we will invite the school whanau and those involved in the development of Ngā Rākau e Rua to come together to celebrate the 10th anniversary.

If you would like to contribute, please email me at david.brandtsgiesen@rangiora.school.nz or call me on 0275512481.

Any contribution would be appreciated as we enhance the physical and learning environment of our school.

Whanau experience of having tamariki in Ngā Rākau e Rua

Our two children joined Nga Rakau e Rua in years 3 and 6.  We didn't know anything about this type of learning but the kids were really keen so we agreed to give it a go.  Fast forward 3 years later and we have seen them both develop a strong sense of identity, self confidence and leadership.  Along with continuing to grow academically and with their sports.  Our daughter has just started year 9 at high school as a happy, confident and active participant in all aspects of school life.  As a whanau we are very thankful our children have this opportunity.