BACKFor our Term 1 whānau hui, we had the privilege of gathering as one and celebrating the achievements of our ākonga-Māori. The purpose of our whānau hui is to nurture and spread our culture with the wider community, including teachers and caregivers. We opened with a karakia and mihi that our Tū Rangatira and Te Reo Māori classes have been learning, followed by a waiata tautoko which our Tū Rangatira ākonga sang. Our kaiako introduced themselves with their roles in our kura; alongside our tangata tiriti staff members, accompanied with our 2024 student leadership team.
Whaea Kata then awarded our kowhaiwhai patterned ties to the receiving Tū Rangatira rangatahi, as well as our unique Māori badges, made specifically to acknowledge and celebrate our school values in te reo Māori. We then introduced Ngā Kaihoe o Te Ao Māori, our new Māori Website that has the idea of ensuring the integrity of matauranga Māori in our kura is being upheld with mana. Our whānau were then able to enjoy their kai as our Rangitoto College kapa haka rōpū performed their ngāhau waiata and a haka.
“Our hui are opportunities to gather and celebrate our beautiful culture, united together as one. They help me to form and build whānaungatanga with others in our community, that in turn enhance our mana. Being a part of these gatherings brings me a sense of pride in my cultural identity. I am able to learn and understand certain responsibilities and tikanga, and I am able to be Māori.” -Lauren Pember (Ngāpuhi, Te Rarawa)
