This week at BestStart Greenmeadows, our ākonga have been deeply engaged in watching the progress of our playground renovation.
The arrival of diggers and concrete trucks has sparked much interest and kōrero (talk), building excitement and anticipation across our centre whānau.
Now, at the halfway mark, the tamariki are testing out their new māra (garden), carpentry station, and climbing area. It’s inspiring to see everyone exploring with manahau (joy) and showing rangatiratanga (agency) – they make decisions, take turns, and support each other as they navigate these fresh spaces.
As we get ready to open our ngahere (forest), wai tākaro (water play) and sandpit spaces, I’ve noticed how our tamariki connect with the atua (spiritual guardians). For example, their curiosity and courage in the new playground reflect the dispositions of Māui (ngākau hihiko – lively, mahira – curious) and Tāne Mahuta (māia – bravery).
Calm, patient moments during observing the renovations or sharing tools show the influence of Tangaroa (mārie – calm) and Haumia-tiketike (manaaki – care for others). This collective experience strengthens whakawhanaungatanga | relationships and a sense of belonging for all.
We look forward to continuing this journey together and seeing where our next explorations will take us.