Te Arawa te waka.
A heartfelt thank you to Gogo Kristine for creating the beautiful waka and paddle for our tamariki.
Your creativity helped bring this experience to life in such a special and engaging way. We re‑enacted the journey of the waka using boxes and cane baskets as our vessel. The children sat inside the baskets and boxes while the waka drawing was placed at the front, transforming the setup into a waka gliding across the lake.
With Te Arawa waiata playing softly in the background, the children paddled together, imagining themselves travelling across the water. We limited the number of children on board to ensure our waka stayed balanced—just like a real one would need to float evenly on the river. This added authenticity and helped the children understand the importance of teamwork and safety.
What a beautiful way to bring the story of the waka onto the land. The children embraced the experience with enthusiasm, curiosity, and joy. What mattered most was their participation, their willingness to step into the story, and their appreciation of this traditional practice through imaginative play. Watching the children immerse themselves in this re‑enactment was a powerful reminder of how meaningful cultural experiences can be when brought into play.
The tamariki showed respect, cooperation, and a sense of unity as they paddled together. Their imaginative engagement demonstrated not only their understanding of the waka but also their connection to the stories and traditions of Aotearoa. This experience supported their sense of belonging and identity while strengthening their social and collaborative skills.