Hero photograph
 
Photo by Joanne Robinson

Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori ki Te Kāreti o Hāta Kataraina

Joanne Robinson —

E ora ai te reo, kōrerohia. E ora ai te reo, waiatatia.

For the language to thrive, let it be spoken.

For the language to thrive, let it be sung.

Te Taura Whiri i Te Reo Māori (The Māori Language Commission) challenges and encourages our country every year to take part in “Te Wā Tuku Reo Māori - The Māori Language Moment.” This year that moment took place at midday on Wednesday 14th of September.

Our kura took part in that moment with all our staff members singing with our Te Reo Māori students in assembly. The purpose of this particular performance was to honour one of the iwi of our area - which is Te Ātiawa ki Te Whanganui-ā-Tara, who migrated to Wellington from Taranaki in the 19th century.

Our Te Ātiawa kaumātua, Kura Moeahu, supports the idea of teaching our school the different waiata of the area, and it’s a great way for everyone to connect with the community. Te Reo Māori teacher Whaea Chez O’Donnell is also from Taranaki. She says she was extremely happy with the staff and student performance. “As a proud member of Te Ātiawa, hearing a song from home being sung beautifully … it made my heart sing.” Our next goal is to learn more waiata and haka to support our other iwi, Ngāti Toa Rangatira.

Other awesome kaupapa that have been happening around St Cath’s include “Te Hopu Emohi Nui” - the amazing Emoji scavenger hunt where everyone hunts for emojis around the school, and writing down the Te Reo Māori and English translations. Ka mau te wehi!

Our Year 9 Te Reo class have created an amazing Kahoot! In honour of Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori, showing their enthusiasm and support of te wiki.

Finally, a big thank you to all our “Pūkana” participants from all our school houses. In the end, the winners were Matua Va’auli and Whaea Tessa Murphy. Pūkana hī! Pūkana hā!

Whaea Chez says it’s great to see so much support from our school, and is excited about future Māori initiatives to support and educate our community.

Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini.

Success is not the work of an individual, but the work of many.