Honouring Waitangi Day Through Belonging, Culture and Collective Learning
Learning begins with belonging, and even our youngest tamariki have an important place in our shared story. This week, our Rimu (infants) and Tōtara (toddlers) tamariki came together to honour Waitangi Day through meaningful, age-appropriate experiences grounded in art, movement, sensory exploration and relationships.
Across both spaces, the message was the same: we belong, we learn together, and many hands form one waka. Whakautuaki reminds us to nurture the seed and it will blossom. From tiny handprints to joyful movement and shared creativity, these experiences are planting the early roots of confidence, cultural identity and community connection. Each child’s contribution, no matter how small, mattered.
Rimu – Little Hands, Big Belonging
In Rimu, our pēpi and young toddlers explored Waitangi Day through koru-inspired artwork, sensory play and gentle movement (kori kori). Through touch, colour and rhythm, tamariki experienced early belonging, connection and shared joy.
Teachers intentionally wove te reo Māori into daily interactions, using words such as koru, whānau, aroha and kotahitanga, supporting Mana Reo – Communication from the earliest years. Sensory materials and playdough encouraged Mana Aotūroa – Exploration, inviting experimentation, curiosity and discovery.
Tōtara – Many Hands, One Waka
In Tōtara, our toddlers worked together on a large-scale collaborative artwork titled Many Hands, One Waka. Each child added their handprint, contributing to a shared waka that symbolised unity, partnership, shared journeys and collective strength.
This experience supported cooperation, turn-taking and pride in contributing to a group effort, while helping children understand that everyone has a valued place in our learning community. Te reo Māori was used naturally throughout, strengthening Mana Reo, while paint and group art supported Mana Aotūroa through sensory exploration and creative problem-solving.
Relationships at the Heart of Learning – Tapasā in Action
Across both Rimu and Tōtara, these experiences reflect Tapasā, reminding us that culture is not an add-on; it is the foundation of belonging. Through shared experiences, tamariki strengthened relationships with peers, built trust with teachers and developed a sense of shared identity and whanaungatanga.
One Centre, One Community
By honouring Waitangi Day in meaningful, inclusive and developmentally appropriate ways, we are living the values of partnership, participation and belonging every day, embracing learning through diversity and celebrating our community together.