At Hei Tiki, Rangimarie offers our tamariki a peaceful space to relax, reflect and regulate. Designed with care and funded by the Ministry of Education, it's a special part of our centre where emotional wellbeing and belonging come to life.
In Hei Tiki, we have a sensory space called Rangimarie, which means peace or peaceful. It is a place for two tamariki to relax, be mindful, rest, and kia tau (ground themselves). It can also be used by one tamaiti to self-regulate their emotions and enjoy some quiet me time.
It is important for our tamariki to have a space they can use to support their emotional wellbeing. At our centre, we have welcomed many tamariki with additional learning needs, and this space provides just the right amount of stimulation to cater to their needs.
It’s a simple set-up with resources that support the senses—touch, sound, sight, and smell. The lighting provides a warm, ambient effect that our tamariki have responded to beautifully.
We were fortunate to receive funding from the Ministry of Education to help create this space, and we are truly grateful and appreciative. What began as a dream became a vision—and that vision is now a reality.
Rangimarie has transformed our classroom into not just a learning environment but a space where every tamaiti can develop a strong sense of belonging.
"Tamariki is the Māori word used for children. Children are the greatest legacy the world community has." — Pere, 1997