The excitement of being Maori

Today, Foundation years went to Takipu Marae, one of our local Maraes.  It was everything I hoped it would be.  My concept was to spend time at the marae and to Be.  To be present, to be there, seeing, sensing, hearing, smelling, focusing.  At Te Karaka Area School we are all about local curriculum.

There is much research that proves the strong link between well-being and achievement.  Students well-being is strongly influenced by a clear sense of identity and access and exposure to their own language and culture.  As a person bought up in another culture other than maori, the challenges of understanding this concept have been many.  Not because I haven't wanted to understand.  I love Maori language and culture.   Mainly because I had not experienced another culture.

It has taken me five years at Te Karaka Area School to come to a place of confidence and understanding to allow the magic of today happen.

We were welcomed on to the Marae by the tolling of the bell.  We entered the wharenui.  We sat, boys in front, girls behind.  The Kohanga based at the marae came to take part as Tangata when.  The Teacher aide a male was in the front.  The whakatau begun.   Matua Steve returned the speech in English with a lovely genuine piece about our welcome.  Then we sung as a group.

Next we sat on mattresses in the Wharenui where Nanny Ruby spoke to us about the history of the marae and the beautiful carvings.  The students sat for 15 - 20 minutes, still and listening, asking questions. Unusual.  In Foundation years we do not practice sitting still and listening to adults very often, but here in this environment the students sat still and quiet.  They genuinely were interested. Today I saw their faces, lit up with excitement and wonder. We felt welcomed, we felt comfortable, we felt the sense of the marae.  The presence of generations before us, the significance of our identity.  The students belonged here, taking their place in a line of many.  And when students genuinely get something, they pay attention.  It is not hard or difficult.  It is natural and that is what learning should be.

As we sat and ate kai, the adults spoke about the next 50 years, and how some of these tamariki would be welcoming young children.  This is their place.  We want to come back again and again.  To hear the names of ancestors, to hear the sound of Maori spoken, to learn, but more than that to Be.

The children then played, some outside with soccer balls, and with imagination playing cops and robbers.  Others inside next to carvings, drawing and talking.  Naturally being in this place which signifies identity.  Eyes lit up with expectation with genuine questions.  Faces smiling at this special place.  I would like to thank Nanny Ruby, Tamaiti and the Kohanga for the genuine welcome.

For me as a professional, a teacher, it has given such confidence.  An Aha moment.  I have gotten over all my excuses and in the end see how simple it can be.  I did not feel afraid, or threatened, but welcomed and partnered with.  These are our Tamariki and together we want them to succeed.  We want them to have the things mentioned in research.  Success as Maori. Enjoying and achieving success.   If our Tamarki get this, to know how special they each are and how special the place where they grow up is and who their ancestors are. If they begin to grasp identity, then they will succeed.