Tikanga Wananga at Te Poho o Tāmaki Marae.
Earlier this year, Auckland Playcentre whānau and staff were immersed in a Pōwhiri and Te Ao Māori learning experience. It was held at Te Pono o Tāmaki Marae; a community marae located within the grounds of Tamaki College in Glen Innes. We were traditionally welcomed on by Matua Adrian and his high school ākonga.
Over the day we deepened our understanding of Pōwhiri and Mihi Whakatau; engaged in tī rākau (single long stick games); the Matau Mauī game we learnt would make an awesome ice breaker for centre hui. We learnt new waiata mōteatea & waiata poi; making the poi was a highlight for some as it was a fresh way to make poi especially as a group, providing a fun team building exercise. Followed by plenty of practice to enable us to engage with centre whānau. Matua Adrian covered lots of tikanga, explaining as just ways to keep ourselves safe – both in minds and bodies. We enjoyed plenty of delicious kai, built connections with likeminded Playcentre whānau with plenty of kōrero mixed in.
Everyone at our final kōrero shared their current centre resources and practices and how they would implement their new knowledge and confidence – the opportunities were endless! As part of attending all participants were given a Te Ao Māori or Matariki resource to support with growing their Te Ao Māori mahi at centres (the fantastic resources were purchased from The Playcentre Shop).
Visiting a high school community marae provided a different Te Ao Māori experience, there were ākonga from both sides supporting and growing together. The day started a relationship which we will strengthen over time with opportunites to attend kapa haka and future wanaga.
Playcentre Akōanga appreciated taking the time to engage in our community are now motivated to engage with their local marae or return to Te Pohe o Tāmaki Marae – we hope hearing about our experience motivates your centre whānau to do the same!
The Tikanga Wanaga further embeded our whakamātau allowing us the opportunity to;
Titiro whakamauri kōkiri whamaua – Look back and reflect so you can move forward