Rōpū Māori Meeting cultivates relationships
- Kidsfirst
- Sep 21, 2021
- 2 min read
"Ehara taku toa i te r takitahi. Engari, he toa takitini."
– Success is not the work of one, but the work of many.
While Ngā Tamariki Tuatahi o Rutland Street/Kidsfirst Kindergartens Rutland Street was closed for the term break, there was still plenty of action, with Kidsfirst’s Rōpū Kaiako Māori making use of the space for their annual professional learning hui.
It was a time for the group to come together, have a korero about important issues – including self care – and engage in the application of practical tikanga.
The group has a mix of korero, cultural activities, and opportunities for reflection and connection, each time they meet.
Tracy Summerton, Head Teacher at Ngā Tamariki Tuatahi o Rutland Street/Kidsfirst Kindergartens Rutland Street, says collaboration underpins everything.
“We definitely work together as a collective. Our main emphasis is that everyone works together, so no one works alone. We’re all on different parts of our bicultural journey, so it’s an opportunity for us to get together to share our cultural heritage, and to share our cultural knowledge.”
One of the highlights of the day was kohatu painting, where kaiako added koru patterns and colours to rocks previously blessed by Te Mairiki Williams, a local Māori figure, who also assisted the group with the day’s activities. The design and significance of each stone provide the kaiako with a reminder of the strength of their wairua.
Ngā Tamariki Tuatahi o Phillipstown/Kidsfirst Kindergartens Phillipstown Head Teacher and Rōpū Kaiako Māori member, Kathy Harford, and her daughter Alicia Ward were also involved in the day’s activities. They provided materials to craft beautiful pōhoi tōroa – earrings made from the feathers of an Albatross that bring a number of reminders – the time spent together, a reminder for kaiako of their connection to their place, and an affirmation of their duty as kaitiaki of their kindergartens, and the world around them.
To end their day together, kaiako gave a koha to one another, each based around one of the 9 stars in the Matariki cluster, to celebrate the end of Matariki.
Kaiako who whakapapa as Māori who would like to join the rōpū/group are welcome to contact Head Office, or email tracy.summerton@kidsfirst.org.nz.