Te Whānau
Te Kōhanga reo is committed to the protection and revitalisation of the Māori language, its protocols and cultural practices. Whānau are key and must have a vested interest in the promotion and survival of the Māori language and its cultural practices.
“Tērā te wā kā whānau mai he tamaiti o te kupu whakaari, māna tātou e ārahi”
“A child is a gift from the divine and they will lead us”
Whānau are encouraged to participate in te reo Māori and the life journey of their child. Whānau involvement in Kōhanga Reo is important.
“It takes a village to raise a child”.
Whānau decision making, management and responsibilities are supported to ensure that the Māori language and cultural practices are observed and promoted using the following key documents from Te Kōhanga Reo National Trust:
• Te Korowai - Guidelines for Chartering containing kaupapa principles, goals and objectives under the four Pou.
These are
Te Reo Māori; Whānau decision making, management and responsibility, Accountability and the Health and Wellbeing of the mokopuna and the whānau
• Tūtohinga – The Trust approved charter agreement between Te Kōhanga Reo whānau and Te Kōhanga Reo National Trust Board.
• Te Whāriki – The Mokopuna Learning Programme to grow the learning and development of mokopuna within te ao Māori while being immersed in the Māori language.
• Te Ara Tūāpae - The 25 Year Strategic Plan, (2008 - 2033) developed by the kohanga whānau for the Kōhanga Reo movement.
Every child has an opportunity through Te Kaupapa o Te Kōhanga Reo to embrace their cultural identity from a Māori world view. This is our greatest legacy.