On 9^th May the Lindisfarne staff were invited onto Waimārama Marae for a professional development day. Every Wednesday during Term One staff had been learning about tikanga (customs and practices) and have been writing their pepeha and learning waiata. We call this Wānanga Wednesday. On arrival to the marae, newly elected Chairman of Ngāti Kahungunu Bayden Barber and his whānau which included a couple of our current boys welcomed us onto the marae.

After refreshments, the whole staff gathered in the beautiful, wood-panelled wharenui which is decorated with impressive photographs (including some Lindauer reproductions) of recent and long-past members of local hapū. These photographs give a direct and tangible representation of the importance of those who have come before us in Te Ao Māori. Before the visit, Matua Pomare had quoted a wise koroua/elder who once said, ‘The marae is like the heart-beat of the Māori people.’ and sitting in the wharenui, surrounded by photographs of many generations of people who had called the marae their own, it was easy to understand this statement.

Bayden gave a fascinating kōrero about the marae, its people and their links to the Takitimu waka. This was particularly interesting for us as educators as four of the people who alighted from Takitimu in Waimārama were leaders and scholars who went on to develop centres of learning in the area. The staff were then able to deliver their pepeha to the entire group.  For those of us who had not done this before, this was a challenging exercise which took many of us out of our comfort zone. Frequently we ask our students to step out of their comfort zones and challenge themselves, without really understanding what this means, so to put ourselves in the position of the learner who has to do something difficult, was a really valuable experience which will undoubtedly increase our empathy and understanding.

On the buses back to Lindisfarne, many of the staff commented on how much they had enjoyed the day and how it had increased their understanding of Te Ao Māori. Thanks must go to Matua Pomare and to the whānau of Waimārama Marae,  who welcomed us so graciously.

‘He waka eke noa – We are on this journey together.’

Article added: Friday 13 May 2022