Today our tamariki had a unique opportunity to learn about whales and the importance of caring for our moana, thanks to a special visit from Ari and Holly from Patuharakeke Trust.
Today we were lucky to have a visit from Ari and Holly from the Patuharakeke Trust, who brought along with them some incredible whale bones to share with our tamariki.
The Patuharakeke Trust Board has existed since 1990, initially formed to look after the economic interests of the hapū. Their Trust Deed outlines several purposes, including the protection and sustainable use of land, water, and sea-based resources of Patuharakeke Te Iwi.
Ari and Holly explained that they are part of a Māori environmental unit under the Patuharakeke Trust Board. As a coastal iwi, they have been reviving mātauranga Māori around whales. They shared with us the story of how whales sometimes wash ashore. Sadly, the ones they spoke of did not survive. The whales were buried in sand dunes, where insects and other natural elements removed the flesh. Later, the skeletons were carefully dug up and preserved for educational purposes—now used to share knowledge about these beautiful taonga.
The whale bones the tamariki explored came from a 15-year-old female pilot whale named Rangi Maria. Our tamariki were able to touch and examine the bones, and they even had a go at piecing them together to imagine how they fit inside the whale’s body. There was also a much larger vertebra from a sperm whale, which impressed everyone with its size!
This hands-on experience was an amazing way for our tamariki to deepen their understanding of the moana and the need to care for its living creatures. It connected beautifully with the values of kaitiakitanga and ako (learning).
A huge thank you to Ari and Holly for taking the time to visit us and share your invaluable knowledge—we truly appreciated it!