On Tuesday and Wednesday of last week, Year 9 students braved the blazing sun to visit Whakat奴 Marae and Founders Park in the process of learning more about the early settlers of the region, and some of the stories behind them.
This started with a p艒whiri to welcome staff and students onto the marae, followed by a delicious kai whakanoa, which was gratefully received. For many students the p艒whiri was their first opportunity to visit Whakat奴 Marae.
Students then split into waka, where one waka stayed on the marae to learn about the first settlers in the region, the history and uniqueness of Whakat奴 Marae, Pikimai Pa, Kakati wharenui, and the local iwi.
The other waka went to Founders Park to undertake a wero (challenge) involving finding information and taking photos at some key sites around the area relating to the first European settlers. The hardest-core students ran up to the Centre of New Zealand, as well as Miyazu garden, Sir Stanley Place, and all over Founders, learning as they went.
After lunch at Founders Park, the groups swapped over. The students were overwhelmingly great, with hardly any of the enthusiasm melting away in the heat. The learning opportunities were rich and authentic, and hopefully students can pass on some of this to their family and friends.
Special thanks to our tangata whenua Ng膩ti Koata for hosting us, and to whaea Soraya Paki Paki for providing tautoko (support) to 国产麻豆精品 by performing the karanga on our behalf. Matua Bruno Watkins and Matua Matt Penney were kaik艒rero for the p艒whiri one day each, and both did a heartfelt job of speaking on our behalf at the formal part of the ceremony.
By Hamish McLellan