The sun shone, the birds sung and Main School weaved, sung and soaked up the atmosphere at Waihao Marae last Friday.

We were treated to waiata (songs) moteatea (chants) harakeke (flax) weaving, lessons on mokihi (waka made from raupo), and mahinga kai (traditional Maori food gathering sources). We also took part in a powhiri, which was, for some of us our first experience of this Maori welcome. We all had lots of fun. Our sincere thanks to Te Runanga o Waihao Marae for this wonderful learning experience!