Kia ora e te Whānau!!

We are pleased to have Matua Ben and some senior students back after the school holidays for Kapa Haka and Waiata practice on a Monday. We are still on the hunt for some new facilitators for 2020 so if we have any whānau out there or anyone who knows someone who might be keen to help out don’t be shy it would be awesome to work together!

Courtney & Jo have been participating in the Te Ope cluster to strengthen our bi-cultural understanding and practice.  They went on a ‘cultural narrative walk and talk in the city’ led by Joseph Hullen which began at Tākaro ā Poi - Margaret Mahy Playground.

Joseph discussed the importance of creating environments that meaningfully link to Te Ao Māori which will support tamariki growing up in Ōtautahi to identify a strong sense of belonging. Joseph began by pointing out key features of the playground before embarking on our tour. Whāriki (mats) guided the tour, each with their own meaning all the way to the Avon awa (river) where tuna (eels) surfaced for us to hand feed.

The attention to detail blew us away! The thought and knowledge that has gone into creating such meaningful pieces and features has ensured that the Christchurch rebuild has made Te Ao Māori visible and tangible.

The Justice Building

The Library

Tawhaki on the library stairs

The Woven Mats 

Ngā mihi nui.

Laura, Katrina, Ashlee, Courtney & Jo