The morning brought together two school whānau in a celebration of Te Reo Māori and the richness of Te Ao Māori, guided with aroha by Whaea Cydel and Whaea Alice.
The exchange opened with a mihi whakatau led entirely by students, a proud moment showcasing their growth and confidence in Te Reo Māori. Karakia, the uplifting hīmene He Honore, and heartfelt speeches with waiata tautoko from both schools created a moving atmosphere. A special highlight was the respectful return of taonga by our King’s College guests, embodying the true spirit of manaakitanga.
Students then came together for whanaungatanga activities, enjoying traditional Māori games such as Pako and Pukana, strengthening friendships through laughter, energy, and shared experiences. After morning tea, blessed with karakia, nearly 100 voices rose in unison for waiata sharing, including Toia Mai, Nei rā te kaupapa, and Toro Mai, a powerful expression of unity and pride in Te Reo Māori.
The gathering closed with karakia whakamutunga and a group photo, capturing the warmth of this connection. This exchange not only supported our students’ language learning but also deepened their understanding of tikanga Māori and the unifying power of cultural protocols.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to King’s College for joining us in this meaningful celebration, which strengthened bonds between our schools and nurtured our rangatahi’s connection to Aotearoa’s precious indigenous language and culture.
