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Our Karakia Ritual
Ko wai au?
Why is it important I start with this?
Who I am today, is determined by those who have come before me. I am a product of my history and whakapapa.
One cannot be separated from the other. My personal, ethnic and professional identities stem from my whakapapa.
It strengthens me.
It empowers me.
Here at BestStart Napier Central we have implemented a karakia ritual to bless the peace in the building and in each other at the start of each new day. This is a spiritual time, where we are able to ground ourselves nurturing and balancing our hinengaro and tinana. There is a strong sense of whanaungatanga (connectedness) and manaakitanga (nurturing) as tamariki and kaiako come together.
At this ritual everyone has an opportunity to participate and korero through introducing themselves and saying their pepeha. Kaiako tautoko (support) tamariki as they stand and if they are a bit whakama (shy) they are encouraged to kia kaha (be strong) and give it a go. After karakia waiata follows before tamariki put their whāriki away signifying the end of the ritual. Tamariki have become very familiar with this ritual and it is a lovely way for them to contribute to the centre programme and to feel valued.