The Year 10 Te Reo Māori students who have committed to continuing their language journey in Yr 11 Te Reo Māori visited Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Pourewa Community hub on Wednesday, 13 November. The landscape architect who designed the māra (gardens), Rob Small, gave an insightful talk about the mātauranga(knowledge) of the tūpuna (ancestors) which has been passed down concerning planting, nurturing, and harvesting and which informed the design of the māra. He then led the group on an inspiring tour.
A whakataukī he shared with us was, “Te toto o te tangata he kai, Te oranga o te tangata he whenua.” – ‘While food provides the blood in our veins, our health is drawn from the land’.
The students then attended a class at Auckland Museum (He Panga Tuatahi) which discussed the history of various laws and events that have shaped the Crown’s relationship with te Ao Māori. Papa Novi Marikena led this class and was knowledgeable and entertaining. Following the class, the students experienced the many exhibits in the museum.
“Whakahokia te reo mai I te mata o te peneki te mata o te arero” – ‘Bring the language back from the tip of the pen to the tip of the tongue.’ Nā Te Wharehuia Milroy.
Nā Karen Kennedy rāua ko Maddison Gerbes (Kaiako o te reo Māori)