On the 14th September our four year old children, their parents and four teachers visited our local Marae, “Te Whare Wānanga o ōwairoa,” in the Garden of Memories, Uxbridge Road. The trip was part of our programme planning for Te wiki o te Māori , (Māori Language Week) and was a great opportunity for the children, parents and teachers to experience Māori culture and traditions, which are part of our New Zealand bicultural heritage.
We were welcomed by whaea (aunty) Karen and as we approached Te Whare Matariki, whaea Rose performed the powhiri karanga, (traditional Māori welcome) before we were invited inside. Once inside the whare we listened to mihi, (traditional introductions) and waiata, (songs) from Matua Hemi. Then Patrick’s dad, Murray, responded in Māori, with Raewyn and Saira also saying their mihi, Murray then gave a koha, (gift) to whaea Karen. All our tamariki sang our special waiata, “Te Aroha,” which sounded beautiful.
After the welcome ceremony we enjoyed delicious kai, (morning tea) then explored the beautiful ngahere, (native bush) with whaea Karen, and also looked through the little whare taonga, (museum). We returned to te whare to sing waiata, play with harekeke (flax) balls and dance with poi. Then it was time to say “Haere ra” (good bye) and return to Kindergarten. What a wonderful day.
We were welcomed by whaea (aunty) Karen and as we approached Te Whare Matariki, whaea Rose performed the powhiri karanga, (traditional Māori welcome) before we were invited inside. Once inside the whare we listened to mihi, (traditional introductions) and waiata, (songs) from Matua Hemi. Then Patrick’s dad, Murray, responded in Māori, with Raewyn and Saira also saying their mihi, Murray then gave a koha, (gift) to whaea Karen. All our tamariki sang our special waiata, “Te Aroha,” which sounded beautiful.
After the welcome ceremony we enjoyed delicious kai, (morning tea) then explored the beautiful ngahere, (native bush) with whaea Karen, and also looked through the little whare taonga, (museum). We returned to te whare to sing waiata, play with harekeke (flax) balls and dance with poi. Then it was time to say “Haere ra” (good bye) and return to Kindergarten. What a wonderful day.
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