ESOL Junior Immersion trip to Te Tahawai Marae

Recently 76 junior ESOL Immersion students from Macleans College went to Te Tahawai Marae, which is situated in Pakuranga.

The students were welcomed onto the marae with a traditional powhiri (welcome ceremony) that commenced with the karanga (welcome call). Once inside the wharenui the sharing of korero (speeches) and waiata (song) allowed the students to display what they had learnt leading up to the trip.

The group leaders, Alex Pan (Snell House) and Mark Ma (Hillary) delivered their korero in te reo.  The afternoon group performed the Macleans College haka which impressed the tangata whenua.

During the day the girls were taught how to twirl the poi and the boys were taught the traditional haka, Ka Mate Ka Mate and how to use the rakau stick which was originally used by Maori to strengthen their arms and wrists.

This trip provided the students with a visual experience to Maori culture and customs.