Te Ao Māori

At our kura, we are committed to honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi, which includes working in partnership with Mana Whenua, Ngāti Toa Rangatira, and our whānau. This also means taking care of “ngā mea i tuku iho” (the treasures passed down to us) and doing our best to weave kaupapa Māori (initiatives, values) throughout all areas of learning.

This approach helps ensure our tamariki (children) see themselves, their whakapapa (genealogy), and te ao Māori (the Māori world) reflected in their everyday learning experiences as much as possible.

Below are some key kaupapa (initiatives) currently taking place at kura.

Kapa Haka

Kapa haka takes place every Thursday afternoon from 2:10pm to 2:50pm and is a kura-wide kaupapa (initiative).

For us, kapa haka is about kotahitanga (unity and togetherness), building confidence, and strengthening cultural identity through learning new waiata (songs) and haka. It’s a time where we come together as a kura to celebrate te reo Māori, tikanga (customs), and the strength of unity.

Toi Whakaari

Our Toi Whakaari Rōpū is an elective kaupapa (initiative) where our Year 5 and 6 tamariki have the opportunity to be part of a smaller performance group. These tamariki are often passionate about kapa haka and performing arts, and we are proud of their dedication and commitment to the kaupapa.

The rōpū meets every Friday from 2:00pm–3:00pm for practice. As part of this group, tamariki get to go deeper into the meaning and expression of various waiata (songs) and haka.

This rōpū gets to represent kura out in the wider community and prepares for special events such as the Kotahitanga Festival at Titahi Bay Intermediate and Te Kiwa Nui Festival, where they have the chance to stand proudly and perform with mana.

Ngā Iwi o te Motu

Ngā Iwi o te Motu is a pilot programme currently running at kura, led by Matua Gardner most weeks on Monday afternoons. This kaupapa is specifically for our tamariki who whakapapa Māori (have Māori ancestry).

Over a series of 3–4 week blocks, Matua Gardner works with different iwi groups, supporting tamariki to explore and deepen their connection to their own iwi identity. Tamariki may learn a waiata or pūrākau (story/traditional narrative) specific to their iwi.

For those who are unsure of their iwi connections, the learning will focus on waiata or pūrākau that reflect broader narratives from across Aotearoa, supporting a strong sense of belonging and pride in being Māori.

As there are many iwi represented within our kura, we will continue to move slowly and intentionally through different iwi groups as this pilot programme evolves.