On Tuesday 15 June, 15 students each from Thorrington, Cashmere and Christchurch South Intermediate were invited to participate as a cluster group in a new pilot education programme for marae school visits at Tuahiwi Marae, rebuilt and opened in 2012.

The first part of the morning involved us being welcomed onto the marae with a traditional pōwhiri. We had to organise ourselves according to protocol, where the females went first and the males behind the females. We were known as the manuhiri (guests)

The first step was having the Ngai Tūāhuriri tangata whenua (hosts) karanga us on. This is always a female. One of the parents (kaikaranga) from our group gave an answering karanga.

Once we entered the marae, manuhiri were ushered to the right and the tangata whenua were standing to the left.

The male adults/kaumatua sat on the front seats, with females and students sitting on seats behind.

The tangata whenua gave their whaikōero (welcoming speeches) and then sung a waiata to support it.

As manuhiri we replied with our whaikōrero by Peter Hira and another kaumatua from Christchurch South. We sang a waiata after each speech. We then laid down a kōha (gift) as a token of appreciation for hosting us.

To complete the pōwhiri we were invited to come out and hongi (press noses) and harirū (shake hands) with the tangata whenua.

Finally we finished with kai (food), which lifts the tāpu (sacredness) of the pōwhiri.

Mihimihi is an important process that involved us having to introduce ourselves by standing up and giving our mihi. Your pepeha tells people about who you are and where you are from. We learnt that many of us come from the same area, share the same maunga, awa and iwi. Lots of connections were made!

Some of the other activities throughout the day included learning new waiata, creating narrative art around pūrākau (Ngāi Tahu creation stories) and playing quick moving hand games.

The afternoon saw us venturing out on a hīkoi(walk) exploring the local area of Tuahiwi.

It was a truly valuable experience that we were very lucky to be part of. We hope to be able to share our learning with the rest of the school.

Ngā mihi nui,

Mrs G and the Tuakana Team of 15 representatives.