Over Terms 2 and 3, an enthusiastic group of kaiako (teachers) and kaimahi (staff) here at Te Puna Wai o Waipapa have spent Tuesday afternoons in our whare expanding our knowledge of te reo and te ao Māori (the Māori language and world) with Whaea Tihi Puanaki (nō Ngāti Hine, Te Tai Tokerau).

Whaea Tihi’s experience, wealth of knowledge, and sense of humour have attracted staff from throughout the kura (school) to spend an hour learning karakia, waiata, mihi, and reo that they can use in the school day and beyond. It’s a real privilege to learn from a native speaker of te reo, and in the comfortable setting of our own whare here at Hagley! We’re excited to continue learning together with Whaea Tihi for the remainder of this term, and to promote the use of te reo Māori in all corners of our kura.