At BestStart Kauri Flats, tamariki and kaiako celebrated diversity with Tongan, Māori, and Philippine Language Weeks, plus India’s Independence Day. Through songs, art, dance, and stories, children explored cultures, built connections, and developed respect for others.
At our centre, BestStart Kauri Flats, we take pride in celebrating the rich diversity that makes our community so special. Over the past few weeks, tamariki and kaiako came together to honour and learn about Tongan, Māori, and Philippine cultures, as well as India’s Independence Day.
Each celebration offered meaningful opportunities for children to connect, explore, and show respect for the languages, traditions, and stories of our multicultural whānau.
During Tongan Language Week (Uike Kātoanga’i ‘o e Lea Faka-Tonga), tamariki explored the Tongan language through songs, traditional dress, and creative art. They learned simple greetings and enjoyed dancing to island music, with pride as Tongan families shared their heritage.
In Māori Language Week (Te Wiki o te Reo Māori), the focus was on strengthening everyday use of te reo Māori. Children engaged in waiata, storytelling, and art that reflected Aotearoa’s culture, celebrating the importance of keeping te reo Māori alive — kia kaha te reo Māori!
During Philippine Language Week, tamariki learned simple Filipino phrases, sang Tagalog songs, and created crafts inspired by the Philippine flag. Families contributed traditional food and stories, deepening understanding of Filipino culture and values.
For Indian Independence Day, children dressed in bright colours representing the Indian flag, explored Indian music and dance, and enjoyed the aroma of traditional food — a joyful reminder of freedom, unity, and cultural pride.
Each celebration reflected our centre philosophy of Ako, Whanaungatanga, Manaakitanga, and Whanaunga, fostering shared learning, relationships, and respect. Tamariki developed a strong sense of belonging and appreciation for different cultures, supporting communication, creativity, and social skills.
These experiences brought joy and colour to our centre while strengthening our sense of community and connection. By embracing and learning about different cultures, tamariki gained valuable knowledge, empathy, and respect, reflecting our commitment to nurturing confident, kind, and culturally aware learners.