WelCom December 2021
He puawa au nō runga i te tikanga,
He rau rengarenga nō roto i te raukura,
Ko taku raukura rā, he manawanui ki te ao.
Koro Rangikotuku and kuhi Ngaraiti Rukuwai, treasured kaumatua who have guided this kura to where they are today, have both sadly passed away. Photo: Supplied
Puna Te Aroha Wharehoka
Te Kura Kōhine o Manawa Tapu ki Ngamotu has held the connection with Parihaka for the past seven years, with koro Rangikotuku Rukuwai and kui Ngaraiti Rukuwai who have guided this kura to where they are today. I would also like to acknowledge Wharehoka Wano who has retained the teachings and tikanga that our tupuna have left behind.
As a member of the Parihaka community and now a first year kaiako of Manawa Tapu, I do remember the kaiako Māori at the time, allowing the students to participate on the sabbath day of Te Whiti o Rongomai (the 18th), and Tohu Kakahi (the 19th) of each month. This is a time for the ākonga to acknowledge their connection with their whakapapa and tūrangawaewae. This also allows the ākonga to express manaakitanga, rangatiratanga and aroha by preparing the wharenui for the visitors, by preparing kai and serving others.
In August, the week of the 18th and 19th, I had planned to take our ākonga to Parihaka, but unfortunately due to lockdown this event was cancelled.
My goal is to maintain this connection with Parihaka by taking our ākonga to the 18th and 19th of every month to learn, to listen to the stories of Parihaka, to share ideas and to meet members of the hapū within Parihaka.
Puna Te Aroha Wharehoka, Te Reo Māori Teacher, Te Kura Kōhine o Manawa Tapu ki Ngamotu – Sacred Heart Girls’ College, New Plymouth.