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Our visit to Te Tahawia Marae
BestStart Howick’s present curriculum focus is on the ETHICS OF CARE, where children are encouraged to explore and learn different ways to respect and care for self, other children, people, cultures and the environment. Through this we visited the Te Tahawia Marae in Pakuranga to learn more about the Maori culture. We went in a big bendy bus, which was soooooo exciting for children and parents. The powhiri process, which is an invitation/call to enter the marae was such a humbling experience for us all. Children and even the adults enjoyed the interactive sessions of dance, song and story-telling. We learnt the story and inception of the Marae, legends of the various taniwhas and secrets behind the panels and designs on the walls. This was a truly successful trip, where we achieved our learning focus to extend ‘aroha’, ‘respect and ‘care’ for another culture. To learn more about tikanga maori, the beliefs and their customs and through this the marae became a place of learning and sharing of our cultural values