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Welcoming our new Complex Manager
This was the first powhiri we have had since we began developing our centre tikanga practices – so it was great to see these being used by the team to guide our welcoming ceremony. First was our karanga [welcome call and response], proudly done by Christina Harris [Teacher] and Rachel Watene [previous Complex Manager]. Then as Luke entered the gates our preschool boys welcomed him with haka. We had a wonderful karakia done by Anita Pou [Teacher] and speeches by Ritesh Bansal [Centre Manager] and Luke himself, each supported by a waiata [song] and finished with a presentation of a wheku [carved head symbol] given by Rachel to Luke to symbolise the passing of leadership into his hands. Rachel explained that this piece is to signify him as leader of the Centre, and to also represent the managers who have come before him – all watching and protecting the Centre, but also there to help guide and support him in his role. We were so pleased to have our Centre Business Manager Karen & Professional Services Manager Kim here to support this important handover ceremony and official welcome Luke to the team.
We then followed up with a visit to Te Whare Marama where our little ones presented Luke with a bone carving and beautiful waiata [songs]. Luke loved the morning and felt very welcomed and accepted as part of the team. He looks forward to meeting and building relationships with the team, children and whanau. He was also very surprised and blessed by the taonga [treasures] given to him by the team.