Kumara Harvest

In anticipation for their hauhake (harvest) of the kūmara in our school māra (garden) our Roopu, Te Ara Torohanga have been working with Whaea Buffy and Matua Ananiah learning about Tainui's Whakaotirangi and the kūmara. 

Learning including recounting an important story from the oral tradition of Tainui. It tells of how the iwi’s ancestor, Whakaotirangi, brought kūmara and other plants to Aotearoa and describes the techniques she used to plant, grow, and store them. 

Whakaotirangi’s gardens made it possible for Tainui to settle in one place, rather than having to keep moving to seek food. In time, Whakaotirangi’s kete of kūmara changed how people live across Aotearoa.