New Central North Island Office opening
On the morning of Thursday 22nd August 2024 Central North Island regional staff warmly welcomed local Kaumatua Ronae Erueti and Ruruhi Hera Raumati Brown (both of Ngāti Tamaoho, Ngāti Koheriki) to perform the offcial karakia whakatūwhera opening ceremony to commence the new CNI office in Kirikiriroa Hamilton. Community members, National staff, and Trustee Board members including Heather Ruru were also in attendance. In recognition of our regional rōpū Te puriri whakamaru o Waikato, this building has been named Te Maru o te Poho a sheltered place for the heart of our affections. The office blessing was closed with a lovely, shared morning tea that was then followed with a mihi whakatau acknowledgment ceremony for Mike Carter our new Property Manager for CNI. Thank you to all of those involved in this project including all CNI regional staff for moving and tidying everything and the National/ Property team for their expertise and support. Ngā mihi na Kaye Connolly
L-R Trustee Board member Heather Ruru pictured with Ruruhi Hera Raumati Brown.
L-R Kaumatua Ronae Erueti and Ruruhi Hera Raumati Brown pictured with community members and the team from Playcentre Aotearoa.
The new Central North Island Regional Office, Kirikiriroa.
Playcentre Aotearoa honours the Māori King
Kaihononga Māori Team member Jean Yern has attended many Kīngitanga events this year including Hikoi ki a Waitangi, Hui ā motu, Koroneihana, several Poukai and the tangi of the Māori King. Jean shares her highlights of hono between Staff and Centre whānau with the Kāngitanga, and how that has strengthened the bicultural practice of Playcentre Aotearoa.
At Playcentre Aotearoa we are all encouraged to learn te reo Māori me ona tikanga Māori and as part of 2024 PLD Mana Whaea, participants; Mount Maunganui and Dinsdale Playcentre attended Poukai which was very special!
Dinsdale Playcentre whānau attended the poukai of Tūrangawaewae Marae, Ngāruawāhia in March 2024. At this haerenga the Centre whānau strengthened the relationship to Kīngitanga based on whakapapa, respect, and aroha. The mana of the whānau attending is enhanced by knowing they belong and have a sense of connection to others and their local environment/ mana whenua based approximately only 15kms away from their Centre.
Mount Maunganui Playcentre whānau attended the poukai of Huria Marae, Tauranga in April of 2024. In the Centres pursuit to understand and learn more about Kīngitanga this was also an opportunity to role model reciprocity towards Mana Whenua; Ngāi Tamarawaho of Ngāti Ranginui for their support and guidance throughout the Centres new Centre build (scheduled for February 2025). The Centre whānau learned through responsive and reciprocal relationships with the people, places and things of their area.
The koroneihana is an annual celebration of the anniversary of the coronation of the current monarch of the Kīngitanga. This year marked 18 years for Kīngi Tūheitia as king. Held at Tūrangawaewae, Ngāruawāhia in early August of 2024 Playcentre Aotearoa staff honoured the event and were treated to a delicious kai hakari.
Following the tangi in a historic moment for Māori, at 27 years old, the youngest child of Kīngi Tūheitia, Nga Wai hono I te po, was anointed as the new Māori Queen and leader of the Kīngitanga. Te Arikinui Kuini Nga Wai hono i te po pōtatau te wherowhero VIII becomes the eighth Maaori monarch, continuing a direct lineage from the first Maaori King.
Playcentre Aotearoa acknowledges and recognises the partnership within Te Tiriti o Waitangi as the founding document of Aotearoa/New Zealand. This commitment is reflected in these highlighted bicultural practices, and protecting Māori culture and heritage. There is a wonderful opportunity to continue strengthening these practices along with supporting the new Kuini Māori and the Kaihononga Māori team look forward to fostering this ongoing hono.
Ko Kīngi Tuheitia ki te rangi, e moe e te Ariki, e te Kīngi. Hoki atu rā ki tō Whaea me ngō tūpuna katoa. Paimārire.
Glossary
Hono; Connecting, build, forge, foster
Whānau; Family, kinship, family ties including wider family cohort
Kīngitanga; Māori monarchy
Te reo Māori me ona tikanga Māori; The Māori language and traditional Māori practices and protocols
Poukai; an annual circuit of visits by the Māori king or queen of that time, that includes feasting and cultural performances, started in 1885 by King Tāwhiao at the Whatiwhatihoe Marae.
Marae; courtyard – the open area in front of the wharenui, where formal greetings and discussions take place.
Aroha; to love, feel pity, feel concern for, feel compassion, empathise.
Whakapapa; genealogy, genealogical table, lineage, descent
Mana; genealogy, genealogical table, lineage, descent
Mana whenua; territorial rights, power from the land, authority over land or territory, jurisdiction over land or territory
Koroneihana; Coronation
Congratulations to the whānau of Red Beach Playcentre, winners of our Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori whakataetae.
Two of their favourite waiata are Kina Kina and Māhunga Pakahiwi!
He rawe tamariki mā ki te waiata mai!
RESOURCE-SERIES-Waiata-booklet.pdf
Whakarongo mai – Listen to the harmonious sounds of Loopy Tunes as they sing the waiata Kina, kina. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMO03Ty_Euw
Titiro mai – Look at the pictures of kaimoana and follow the actions, there is also a second verse included. Kina Kina (Kai moana Song) – Magnetic Board Song (Printable) – Learning Differently NZ
Haere mai ki te whāriki tamariki mā!
Come to the mat children!
Me waiata tahi tātou
Let’s all sing!
In the pamphlet Wā Whāriki Mat Time (Ki te hoe Indigenising Practice Te reo me ngā tikanga Māori ), one of the authors Ngaroma Williams suggests extending this popular waiata to include other parts of the body. By the way, some areas of Aotearoa call the head a mahunga or upoko also karu and whatu both mean eyes.
Mahunga, pakihiwi, puku, hope, waewae Head, shoulders, tummy, hips, legs
Mahunga, pakihiwi, puku, hope, waewae Head, shoulders, tummy, hips, legs
Mahunga, pakihiwi, puku, hope, waewae Head, shoulders, tummy, hips, legs
Taringa, whatu, ihu, waha e Ears, eyes, nose, mouth
Makawe, rae, paparinga Hair, forehead, cheeks
Makawe, rae, paparinga Hair, forehead, cheeks
Makawe, rae, paparinga Hair, forehead, cheeks
Kakī, korokoro, kauae e! Neck, throat, chin!
Kiwisongs has four verses of this waiata! https://kiwisongs.wordpress.com/lyrics/
Mōrena Mōrena, Kei te whiti, kei te whiti mai te rā!
Good morning, the sun is shining!
One of the many Te Reo Sing-a long pukapuka that you can read and sing to, with some simple repetitive phrases that makes learning and speaking te reo Māori easy to learn. Follow this link to read some of the pages and listen to the waiata.
https://tereosingalong.co.nz/product/morena-morena-good-morning/
He oranga ngākau,
he hikinga wairua
When it touches your heart,
it lifts your spirit