Excitement filled the air as our tamariki eagerly prepared for their first whole-centre visit to Te Mahurehure Cultural Marae. The highlight for many children was travelling together on the bus, with smiles, laughter, and conversations making the journey a memorable part of the experience. It was wonderful to see their enthusiasm and anticipation as they set off on this special adventure.
In the weeks leading up to our visit, tamariki immersed themselves in te ao Māori through waiata such as Tū Tere Mai Ngā Iwi and Te Aroha. They also practised a poi dance, embracing movement, rhythm, and the beauty of Māori performing arts. These experiences helped nurture a sense of belonging and appreciation for Māori culture and traditions.
Inspired by their learning, the children worked collaboratively to create their own marae using recycled cardboard. They carefully painted it in red and black and added small figurines inside, representing whānau and community members gathering together. This creative project sparked meaningful conversations about the significance of the marae and encouraged teamwork, imagination, and problem-solving.
Our visit to Te Mahurehure Cultural Marae was a valuable learning experience for both tamariki and kaiako. It provided authentic opportunities to strengthen our understanding of Māori culture and to experience the importance of whanaungatanga and manaakitanga firsthand.
This learning journey reflects the competencies of Tātaiako, particularly Whanaungatanga, as we nurtured strong relationships and learned together, and Tangata Whenuatanga, by honouring and embracing the language, culture, and identity of Aotearoa New Zealand.
Through these shared experiences, tamariki and kaiako continue to grow as confident, connected, and culturally responsive learners.