Junior ESOL students gain insight into Māori culture

A group of 38 Junior ESOL students and their teachers recently visited the Te Hana Te Ao Marama Marae and Māori Cultural Centre.

The students had completed a unit in class focusing on te reo Māori, culture and protocols when visiting a marae, so this was a time to experience and share their knowledge in a real-life setting. They learnt about greetings, created their pepeha, parts of a marae, read New Zealand Junior Journal stories and learnt the school waiata ‘Te Aroha’. There was also a lot of excitement when practicing a hongi.

The students were greeted at the entrance to the marae by guides Lee and Zara who introduced the steps of the pōwhiri (welcome) to follow. For many of these students this was their first experience of visiting a marae. The karanga (welcome call onto the marae) was a special moment for everyone.

As the students gathered inside the marae they participated in speeches, waiata, korero and kai. The chief for the day was Rodjoe Santos (Rutherford House) who delivered his speech in Māori. He did an excellent job of this. The students explored the replica pā and learnt what the different buildings were for as well as the plants used for traditional medicine.

The trip finished with a traditional game which was thoroughly enjoyed by all and a time to reflect and share thoughts together before departing back to school. The memories from this trip will be long lasting. It gave the students insight and connection to the Māori culture.