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Te Onetū: Akuhata – Hereturikōkā 2025
Ka ara ake a Matariki i te rua, ka topa ki te tahatū o te rangi, ka mārama te takanga mai o te mātahi o te tau. Tuia ngā mate o te wā ki te maiaorere o te Mangōroa, ki te Ika-whenua-o-te-rangi hei tohu i te aro mātao o te kaupeka o te wā. Ko Matariki tonu te whetū e arataki nei i a tātou ki anamata, ki te puāwaitanga o te pitomata o tō tātou kaupapa huia kaimanawa, te kaupapa i whakaaratia ake e ngā rangatira o ngā tau waru tekau.
Hui tātou ka tū, wehewehe tātou ka hinga! E te iwi, tēnā koutou katoa.
Ka rere tonu ngā mihi whakateitei ki Te Arikinui Kuini Nga wai hono i te po, te Kāuru o te Kōhanga Reo ka noho nei hei whakamarumaru mō ngā pīpī paopao o te motu, hei whakamaunga hoki mō te iwi Māori whānui. Ahakoa te mātaotao o te whenua, e mahana ana te ngākau i te mōhio kua waimarie tātou ki tētahi ariki korongatā, hūmārie, rerehua hoki. E Rangi, kei taku Ariki, nei rā ka mihi.
Learn how to explore the digital pānui, print your own copy, scan QR codes and watch videos. You can download the PDF version of Te Onetū by clicking here.
Pānui in this edition:
Ka hiiri ki runga he toi atua ko Matariki, ka hiiri ki raro he toi tangata,
ko Te Arikinui Kuini Nga wai hono i te po.
Te Arikinui Kuini Nga wai hono i te po
Te Kāuru o Te Kōhanga Reo
Kua pōhiritia a Te Arikinui Kuini Nga wai hono i te po ki te tari matua o Te Kōhanga Reo. He hui nui taioreore ka pao te reka, he hui rangatira e tapa nei i te uri mātāmua o ngā waka katoa o te motu hei pou kairangi mō te kaupapa o Te Kōhanga Reo. Ko te tūranga tēnei i nōhia e tana Pāpā e Kiingi Tuheitia, otirā e Te Arikinui Te Atairangikaahu i ō rāua nā wā.
Kua tapaina he ingoa hou ki te tūranga nei hei tohu i te toihau o te kaipupuri, ka mutu, hei tā Tā Timoti Karetu, Heamana ō mua o Te Kōhanga Reo; “He aha hei tāpaetanga mō te uri mātāmua o ngā waka katoa? Kāti, ko Te Kāuru o Te Kōhanga Reo.” E whakanonoi ana te ingoa i te tiketike o tā Te Arikinui noho ki te rākau taumatua o te kaupapa, te taumata i nōhia e ngā Pōhoi Toroā o Te Kōhanga Reo i tōna whakairatanga mai.
Ka uia e te heamana Takirua o te poari, e Raniera Procter te pātai; “He aha hei whakapūmau i te tūranga o Te Kāuru o Te Kōhanga Reo?”, ka urupare atu a Tā Timoti; “Tīkina mai he taonga i tētahi wāhi mātaotao hei whakapūmau i tō whakapono ki tēnei ingoa. Tāraia kia matarua tēnei taonga, ahakoa huri ki hea, ahakoa pēhea te maiangi o te hau, pēhea te mātaotao rānei o te hau, ka kitea te ataahua o te taonga nei. Tīkina mai he taonga hei whakapūmau i te tūranga, kaua ki te tangata, engari ki tōna whare ariki, hei taonga tuku iho mō te āke āke. Tīkina mai he taonga e tika ana mō te poho o te uri mātāmua o ngā waka katoa o te motu.”
Ka noho Te Arikinui hei kauwaka ki te ao wairua, e māturu iho tonu ai ō rātou tini akoranga hei taonga mō te ngākau o ngā tamariki mokopuna o te motu, ā, mātua rā hoki te kete kōrero e kī ana; “Manaakitia ngā mokopuna, whāngaitia ki te ūkaipō, ki te kupu kōrero, atawhaitia i roto i ngā tikanga, kia tipu, kia tū rangatira i roto i tēnei ao hurihuri.”
Hei tā Rahui Papa nō te tari o Te Kiingitanga; “Ko ia tēnei, tō tātou Kuini, he mea puea mai i roto i Te Kōhanga Reo. Ko ia te tuatahi, kāore tana kuia, kāore tana matua i whai wāhi ki Te Kōhanga Reo, nā te mea karekau ana he Kōhanga Reo i aua wā. Ko ia i tēnei rā kua noho mai hei Kāuru whakamarumaru pea i ngā pīpī o roto i ngā Kōhanga Reo puta noa i te motu.”
He mokopuna i tipu, he raukura i rea, he Kuini i hiiritia. Nau mai, haere mai rā e Te Kāuru o Te Kōhanga Reo, Te Arikinui Kuini Nga wai hono i te po.
Te Arikinui Kuini Nga wai hono i te po was welcomed by Te Kōhanga Reo National Trust as the official patroness of te kaupapa o Te Kōhanga Reo. This is a profoundly auspicious gathering, one that will echo through generations, as we come together to formally acknowledge Te Arikinui Kuini Nga wai hono i te po as the Patron of the Te Kōhanga Reo movement. She now stands as the unifying figure across our respective waka, continuing a legacy once held by her father, Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII, and her grandmother, Te Arikinui Te Atairangikaahu.
A new title was conferred upon this role by Sir Tīmoti Kāretu, acknowledging the paramount status of its holder. The title, Te Kāuru o Te Kōhanga Reo, positions Te Arikinui as the highest embodiment of integrity, honouring her as the guardian and protector of the kaupapa. This name affirms her role as the apex of our collective aspirations, continuing a legacy that has been nurtured since the movement’s inception.
Rahui Papa, representative of the Kiingitanga, commemorates the auspicious return of Te Arikinui to the kaupapa of Kōhanga Reo. The late Te Atairangikaahu (Te Arikinui’s grandmother) and the late Kiingi Tuheitia (Te Arikinui’s father) were not fortunate to attend Kōhanga Reo as mokopuna, because no such movement existed in their time, so Rahui commemorates the auspicious return of Te Arikinui, once mokopuna, as the patroness and leading figure of the movement.
“A mokopuna who has flourished, an aspiration now realised, a Queen anointed. Welcome, draw near — e te Kāuru o Te Kōhanga Reo, Te Arikinui Kuini Nga wai hono i te po.”
Te Kōhanga Reo ki Koroneihana 2025
He ngahau kei te haere!!
Hei te 2.00pm Wenerei 3 o Hepetema tū ai te kaupapa o Te Kōhanga Reo ki te ngahau i tō tātou Kuini, ki runga i te marae ātea o Turangawaewae. Kua tukuna te hōtaka ki te whārangi ipurangi o Te Kōhanga Reo hei ako māu, ka mutu, toro atu ki ō koutou tari ā Rohe ki te kite mehemea kua whakaritea rānei he parakitihi mō te rohe.
Wāhine mā, kawea mai ā koutou poi, tāne mā, kawea mai te wairua hihiko! Me he kairakuraku koe, kia kaha ki te ako i ngā waiata.
Haramai rā, e te iwi, kia whakanui tahi tātou i te Koroneihana tuatahi o Te Arikinui Kuini Nga wai hono i te po, Te Kāuru o Te Kōhanga Reo.
Hei reira, e te whānau. Hurō mokopuna!
Here are details for Koroneihana 2025.
An occasion of historical significance for our kaupapa, Te Iwi Māori and the nation where we gather in unity to celebrate the enduring legacy of the Kīngitanga. This will also be the first Coronation of Te Arikinui Kuini Nga wai hono i te po a graduate of Kōhanga Reo and Kura ā Iwi.
We have been invited to perform at 2:00pm Wednesday 3 of September following the kawe mate o te motu onto Turangawaewae. Should you wish to stand with us and celebrate this special occasion scan the QR code below to access the waiata that we will be singing at this year’s Coronation. Alternatively you can view the Koroneihana webpage by clicking here.
For further information check in with your Tari-ā-Rohe.
Board Haerenga 2025: A Journey around the Motu
Over the past fortnight, Te Poari Matua o Te Kōhanga Reo have been on the road as part of the 2025 Haerenga ā Motu, reconnecting kanohi ki te kanohi with kaimahi and whānau across Aotearoa.
Due to severe weather and a state of emergency in Te Tau Ihu, the haerenga began with a change of plans, starting instead in Waitaha before heading south to Ōtepoti–Murihiku, then continuing on to Aotea, Ikaroa, Kahungunu, Te Tairāwhiti, Mātaatua/Tauranga Moana and Waiariki Tūwharetoa.
At each hui, the wairua has been warm and the kōrero rich. Whānau have welcomed the opportunity to bring their kaupapa forward, ask pātai and wānanga with the Board about the future direction of our movement. The kōrero has shown that while each rohe has its own unique challenges and strengths, we remain united in our vision for our mokopuna.
The haerenga resumes this week, with the Board travelling to Te Taitokerau, then on to Tāmaki Makaurau and concluding in Tainui, completing its journey around the motu. We look forward to reconnecting with whānau along the way.
Here are highlights of some of the kaupapa discussed at each stop:
Te Takoto o te Whenua – Where are we now?
Ngā Whāinga Matua – Key strategic priorities 2025–2027
Trust Deed Changes and Election 2026
Environmental Scan Report
Whare Ako – Training and workforce development
Tau Utu Ōrite – Pay parity and equity for kaimahi
Resources for Whānau
For those who couldn’t attend a hui in your rohe, we’ve pulled together key resources and information that can be accessed by clicking here. The Dropbox folder includes the presentations, key documents, and updates shared at each hui.
As the haerenga continues across the motu, we acknowledge all those who have welcomed us and shown their commitment to the kaupapa of Te Kōhanga Reo.
Ngā mihi nui,
Te Kōhanga Reo National Trust Board
Strong turnout at the Mātaatua / Tauranga Moana hui
Photo highlights from the Ikaroa Board Haerenga
Hurō Kōhanga Reo! Hurō Aunty Bina!
This year, our whānau across Te Kōhanga Reo celebrated the recognition of Katerina Hauhaua (Bina) Hepi, who received the King’s Service Medal in the 2025 King’s Birthday Honours.
This award was a special moment not just for Aunty Bina and her whānau, but for our whole movement. It acknowledged the quiet strength, care and deep commitment she has shown over many years in service to our reo, our mokopuna and the kaupapa of Te Kōhanga Reo.
Aunty Bina has been part of this journey from the early days. Since taking on the role of District Manager for Te Taitokerau in 1996, she has remained steady in her support of kōhanga, making herself available to anyone looking for guidance and support. Many will know her from the courses she helped deliver, the waiata she created for tamariki, or the way she kept people connected across the rohe through hui and wānanga. Others will know her simply as someone they could turn to when they needed a bit of calm, clear advice.
Despite all that she has carried and contributed; Aunty Bina was surprised to receive the medal. In her own words:
“I don’t think I’ve done anything special… it’s just something I enjoy, it’s something I have always done.”
Those of us who have worked alongside her know just how special her contributions have been. Her aroha has shaped the journey of many kōhanga, and her influence can be seen in the confidence of the tamariki she’s helped guide.
Me pēhea rā he kōrero, Aunty Bina? Your life’s work has helped carry our kaupapa forward. We see you, we honour you and we thank you for the tireless mahi you have done to ensure the future of Kōhanga Reo is bright and prosperous.
He iti ēnei mihi, engari he iti nā te aroha nui.
E te māreikura whakateitei o te kaupapa, tēnā rawa atu koe.
(l-r) Emily Dakin, Leatiana Tata-Adams, Monica Te Okotai
Te Korowai Mokopuna
Leatiana Tata-Adams
Nō te tau 2022 rewa ake ai he tohu hou ki Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa, ko Te Korowai Mokopuna te ingoa.
He mea waihanga tēnei tohu e Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa (Massey University) me Te Tari Matua o
Te Kōhanga Reo hei tautoko i te whanaketanga o te ākonga kātahi anō ka oti i Te Tohu Mātauranga Whakapakari Tino Rangatiratanga, Te Tohu Paetahi o Te Kōhanga Reo rānei. Nā Arapera Royal Tangaere CNZM me Te Korowai Manaaki o Te Kōhanga Reo a Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa i āwhina ki te whakarite mai
i tēnei tohu, ka mutu, e arahina tonu ana tēnei kaupapa e Arapera Royal Tangaere CNZM i raro i te maru
o te whare wānanga.
Nō tēnei tau tonu whakapōtaetia a Leatiana Tata-Adams, Manu Pīrere nō Te Kōhanga Reo o Tahuri Mai, ki tana tohu paerua mō Te Korowai Mokopuna, ka mutu, mei kore ake ōna ringa poipoi i eke ai ia ki tēnei taumata o te mātauranga.
Ka noho a Leatiana hei tauira mō ngā hua nui o te kaupapa o Te Kōhanga Reo, ā, e whakatinana hoki ana ia i te kōrero e mea ana; “He Manawa Tītī e whao nei i te kete mātauranga.”
Kei taku manu pīrere i ora tonu ai te kōanga whakamorimori, kei taku manu ariki whakatakapōkai o te wao tapu nui a Tāne i matomato ai te tipu o te ngahere. Ko te kaupapa o Te Kōhanga Reo tēnei e mihi atu nei i te nui o ngā mahi whakahirahira kua oti i a koe. Ka rewa te pōtae, ka rewa hoki te ngākau.
In 2022, a new Kaupapa was born, the launch of Te Korowai Mokopuna, a postgraduate diploma at Massey University, developed in collaboration with Te Kōhanga Reo National Trust.
The Postgraduate Diploma in Specialist Teaching (Korowai Mokopuna) equips graduates with the skills and networks to work in a principled, collaborative way across the education sector. Graduates learn how to support all learners by removing barriers to education and building strong relationships with Kaiako, practitioners and whānau.
The programme focuses on identity, language and culture, using evidence-based and inquiry-led approaches that reflect our kaupapa Māori values. Through this, graduates are able to support mokopuna across a range of educational settings in a proactive and positive way.
This year, Leatiana Tata Adams, a Manu Pīrere of Te Kōhanga Reo o Tahuri Mai, crossed the Massey University stage to receive her Master of Specialist Teaching with Distinction.
She completed her studies at Massey University with the support of Arapera Royal Tangaere CNZM and Te Korowai Manaaki o Te Kōhanga Reo. Both Arapera Royal Tangaere CNZM and the Korowai Manaaki team were instrumental in bringing this kaupapa to life.
Leatiana a Manu Pīrere of Kōhanga Reo accredits her success to her whānau and her mum who passed away. Check out what Leatiana had to say about her journey in this programme in the video below:
Expressions of interest for the next intake of the Korowai Mokopuna postgraduate diploma are open now so keep an eye on our social media channels for updates.
(l-r) Jesse Huriwai, Matiu Rau, Phillip Marshall
Jesse Huriwai | Matiu Rau
“He nui ake te kaupapa i a tātou, ko tā tātou mahi he rapu nei i te mea ngaro, hei painga mō ngā mokopuna.” (The kaupapa is bigger than you and I, our job is to seek the things unknown, for the betterment of our mokopuna) – Jesse Huriwai
On April 15th, 2025, at Massey University in Te Whanganui-a-Tara, a special milestone was celebrated for two of our own, Jesse Huriwai (Ikaroa) and Matiu Rau (Te Waipounamu) who both graduated with a Postgraduate Diploma in Specialist Teaching (Te Korowai Mokopuna).
Surrounded by proud whānau, friends and supporters, the ceremony marked the completion of a kaupapa that holds deep meaning for our movement, a programme designed to strengthen how we support mokopuna with diverse needs within Kōhanga Reo.
Jesse is one of the many kaiwhāngai of the Te Korowai Manaaki team. He was selected to be a part of
Te Korowai Mokopuna under Massey University, reflected on the journey:
“There are ten of us from around the motu who were part of Te Korowai Mokopuna.
When I think about this kaupapa, it’s a way to guide and give instant impact to our mokopuna with
diverse needs and their whānau too.
This course created a space for whānau and kaiako to extend their knowledge, to learn from pākehā philosophies and bring that learning back into te reo Māori in ways that our kōhanga reo whānau and our tamariki can connect with and use to thrive.”
Developed through a collaborative partnership between Te Kōhanga Reo National Trust and Massey University, the postgraduate diploma supports kaimahi to grow their specialist skills in ways that uphold the values, reo and tikanga of Kōhanga Reo. The programme draws on both academic research and mātauranga Māori, with support from lecturers and advisors who truly understand the kaupapa.
Jesse acknowledged the legacy of our kaumātua who laid the foundations for our movement over
40 years ago:
“I think about our kaumātua… they paved the way. Our role now is to continue that journey and pave
the way for our mokopuna to travel upward and return, as part of their growth and learning.”
If you or someone in your kōhanga is interested in joining Te Korowai Mokopuna in the future, Jesse encourages you to reach out:
“Talk to your District Manager, they’ll be there to help and support you. You won’t be alone on the journey.”
From all of us here at Te Kōhanga Reo, we mihi to Jesse and Matiu and to all the graduates across Aotearoa who completed the programme. Your dedication helps ensure our kaupapa continues to grow and evolve, meeting the needs of every mokopuna, now and into the future.
Ngā mihi maioha ki a koutou.
We’re proud of you all.
Tūtira mai Kahungunu! Tūtira mai Kōhanga Reo!
Nō te 23 o Mei tū ai te Korowaitanga o Kahungunu ki Pukemokimoki Marae, Ahuriri. Neke atu i te 70 ngā tauira i Korowaitia ki ō rātou tohu mātauranga, ā, koinei te Korowaitanga nui rawa o te motu mō te tau 2025.
Nā te tari-ā-rohe o Kahungunu ngā tohu me ngā mahi ōkawa i tiaki, nā ngā toronga o Pukemokimoki te kaupapa i manaaki, ka mutu, nā te poari Matua o Te Kōhanga Reo, nā ngā Pouako, nā ngā tauira me te tini ngerongero i tae atu te kaupapa i whakamana.
I whakanuia hoki a Whaea Heke Huata, pou whakahaere ā motu o Te Kōhanga Reo, e tōna rohe mō tana whakawhiwhinga ki te tohu ONZM mō ōna whakapaunga kaha ki te reo Māori me te ao mātauranga.
Hei tā Whaea Heke, uri o Ngāti Kahungunu; “I was quite humbled by the fact that people nominated me, and overall, it has been a very humbling experience. When I found out that i had been nominated I cried, because it takes me back to the many people that have helped shape the way i think and the mahi that i do, and to be recognised by my own people is an absolute honour.”
Kahungunu ringa hora, Kahungunu tohunga o te manaaki. Ko reo whakamānawa tēnei e rere atu nei, me te wawata nui ka tau ngā manaakitanga o te wāhi ngaro ki runga ki a koutou, haere nei te wā.
On Friday 23rd May Kahungunu hosted their annual Korowaitanga at Pukemokimoki Marae in Napier. With over 70 tauira graduating across the region, this was the largest Korowaitanga in the country for 2025.
The Kahungunu regional Kōhanga Reo office coordinated the day’s proceedings and prepared the official certificates, while the descendants of Pukemokimoki Marae hosted the kaupapa, and the Korowaitanga kaupapa was honoured by the arrival of members of the Board of Trustees, the many pouako from our tohu mātauranga, the graduating students and their proud whānau.
Whaea Heke Huata, uri of Ngāti Kahungunu and General Manager of Kōhanga Reo operations, was included in the day’s celebrations for receiving an ONZM for services to Māori and education. Speaking on the day, Whaea Heke said:
“It is an absolute honor to be nominated, recognised and celebrated by my own people of Kahungunu.”
Whaea Heke also shared that she is looking forward to continuing her mahi for Māori in Education, with exciting plans ahead.
We extend our warmest congratulations to all graduates of this year’s Korowaitanga, and we would like to thank Kahungunu for hosting another beautiful day and celebration of the graduates, and the kaupapa they carry.
Te Korowaitanga o Aotea
E ngā ringa raupā, ngā kaihautū o tō tātou waka o Aotea, tēnei te pōwhiri atu nau mai, haere mai, whakatau mai ki te Marae o Mana Ariki.
Ka ringiringi tonu nei ngā roimata mō te tini, te mano kua whetūrangitia. Ko rātou mā i poipoia e tō tātou kaupapa nei hei oranga mō tō tātou reo, hei oranga mō ngā whakatipuranga mō apōpō. Nō reira e ngā mate, haere, haere, haere atu rā . Okioki ai i te rangimārietanga o tō tātou Kaihanga. Nāna nei ngā mea katoa. Oti atu te pō , nau mai te ao, tihei mauri ora.
Nō reira e ngā pūāwaitanga o te kaupapa, anei mātou tō whānau whānui o Aotea e mihi kau atu nei. Kua piki ake i te poutama mātauranga o Te Kōhanga Reo kia tae atu ki te taumata o te ako, tēnei te mihi ake, tēna koe, tēna koutou, tēna tātou katoa.
Formerly known as Manu Ariki, Mana Ariki is still a sanctuary for spiritual gatherings and a meeting place for community and rangatahi.
A refuge set in the foothills of Taumarunui, and was home to Te Pane Ariki Poropiti Whakamutunga (the late Alexander Phillips), a prophet who welcomed everyone to share in the spiritual journey of Mana Ariki. Although officially closed for a time Te Kōhanga Reo Korowaitanga o Aotea was set to be one of the first
of many gatherings, to bring people back to Mana Ariki.
Eugene Cassidy, a kaiako and trustee of the Kōhanga Reo National Trust, graduated with Te Tohu Mātauranga Whakapakari Tino Rangatiratanga and celebrated alongside 38 other ākonga who had completed their courses.
“You could feel the echoes of those who had gone before, and their footprints remain for us to follow” says Matua Eugene. “The reawakening of Mana Ariki and having his rohe Aotea have their Korowaitanga, was spiritually uplifting”.
A beautiful day for the ākonga and whānau who celebrated the journey of Kōhanga Reo.
Mokotini mo ngā Mokopuna o Tainui 2025
Te Purapura o Kuaka Mokotini
Te Wānanga Matariki o Te Tari Matua
Te mātahi o te tau, Matariki ahunga nui, Matariki hunga nui.
E tāiri ana mai i tawhiti rā e.
I ahu mai te Kōhanga Reo i te marae me marae tōna āhua.
Kōhanga Reo was inspired from the Marae, so Kōhanga Reo should resemble the Marae.
Koinei te mātāmua o ngā wānanga ka kawea ake e ngā kaimahi o te tari matua, ka mutu, ko te whāinga matua o te hui ko te whakawhanake i te whakamahinga o te reo, te whakaūnga o ngā tikanga me te taunga o te ahurea Māori i roto i te tari, hei ahurea mākohakoha mō te katoa.
I tīkina ake te wā o Matariki hei paiheretangamō tō mātou hui, ā, kāore i tawhiti te whakaaro i ngā nui o te pō, i te māturunga iho mai o ō rātou akoranga.
Matariki was a perfect opportunity for the kaimahi of the Head Office of Kōhanga Reo to hold their first wānanga.
The purpose of the wānanga was to give our kaimahi the opportunity to re-affirm their place within Kōhanga Reo, and to take time to refresh their personal development in language and tikanga strategies, all within a safe working environment and the wider kaupapa.
I tīmata ake te wānanga i ngā rekereke o Pukeatua ki te marae o Waiwhetū, te ūkaipō o Te Kōhanga Reo. Nā Peggy Luke, heamana takirua o te poari matua, ngā kōrero mō te ōroko tīmatanga mai o te kaupapa i hora, otirā, nā tana tira haere ngā kaimahi o te tari i manaaki.
First stop was Pukeatua and the Marae of Waiwhetu the birthplace of Kōhanga Reo. Kaimahi sat at the feet of Board Co-Chair Peggy Luke, who shared kōrero about the early beginnings, how the kaupapa spread across the nation and the special relationship her whānau holds with Trust kaimahi, those who supported the very first pioneers of the movement.
Ao ake ana te rā i te rangi tuarua o te hui, i tīmata ngā kaimahi ki te wānanga i ngā rautaki reo e taea ana pea e mātou te whāngai, ka mutu, i tae atu a Maera Pihema, kaiako nō Te Ataarangi, ki te hāpai ake i tēnei wānanga.
Day 2 was a hui to reflect on language capability, different types of situational environments and infusing reo into our daily mahi or interactions. We were privileged to have Maera Pihema, who has worked in Kōhanga Reo and Ataarangi – she specialises in te reo strategies.
Nā tēnei wānanga ao ake ai anō te mōhio ki te hirahira o te reo Māori I roto I ngā rautaki whakarauora reo, inara, koinei pea te tauira tuatahi o ngā reo taketake e hokihoki tonu mai ana I te tapa o te korehāhā. Nā Te Ataarangi me te kaupapa o Te Kōhanga Reo I mārama kehokeho ai anō te iwi Māori ki te hirahira o tōna reo taketake, ka mutu, ē aro pū ana ēnei kaupapa ki ngā kaumātua me ngā mokopuna, te tuāpapa me te tuanui o te iwi, ngā reanga e pupuri tonu nei I te reo Māori ki te mata o te arero.
Maera’s presentation reminded us of the high status te iwi Māori has in language revitalisation around the world and how Kōhanga Reo and Ataarangi were a game changer for te reo Māori as one focused on mokopuna while the other focused on adults.
I pokea te kaupapa o Te Kōhanga Reo ki te taumaha me te mate I roto I te tau kua hori, nā reira I whakaritea he hautuku mō ngā kaimahi hei whakakōpanitanga ake mō tō mātou wānanga. Mā te tuku I ngā nawe, ngā mamae nui me ngā āhuatanga e whakataumaha nei I te ngākau ka puāwai ake ai anō te ora o te tangata, kia tūwhera anō tōna ngākau ki ngā rongo pai o te tau hou e tū mai nei.
The wānanga culminated in a Matariki ceremony where we let go of our mamae and tangi as we as a kaupapa had experienced so much loss not only recently but in years previous. So we carried out a Hau Tuku, letting go but not forgetting and welcoming the new year with positivity and fresh goals.
He hui nui ka pao te hari, he hui whakakotahi anō I ngā kaimahi o te tari matua I raro I te whakaaro kotahi. I ngāwari te rere o te wānanga, I tau hoki te otinga o ngā mahi, ā, ā tahi rā tū ai anō tētahi wānanga pēnei, kia tōwaitia ngā akoranga haere nei te wā.
The wānanga was a positive experience for all with some Kaimahi bringing their children for the first time to the Tari, (some of them knew more than their parents) which was grounding. The consensus from the wānanga was that we need to take care of each other and learn how we can be good kaitiaki, so we can take better care of our kaupapa, our whānau and mokopuna.
Hurō Matariki, Hurō Mokopuna.
Ka ara ake a Matariki i te rua, ka topa ki te tahatū o te rangi, ka mārama te takanga mai o te mātahi o te tau…