June 2017 - Maniapoto Maori Trust Board

Wharekura visit significant historical landmarks
Gallery
Wharekura visit significant historical landmarks

Featured

Wharekura visit significant historical landmarks

Over 50 tamariki from Te Wharekura o Maniapoto recently undertook what is believed to be the very first educational curriculum haerenga to Rangiaowhia and Orakau. The wharekura has implemented this visit as part of their learnings of particular significant historical landmarks, of which the theme for this term is Kahotea.

Accompanied by Kuia Rovina Maniapoto-Anderson (Ngāti Paretekawa), Rovina spoke of the importance of teaching the NZ Land Wars within the Education Curriculum and how she was proud to be apart of this particular haerenga. The tamariki also visited other significant sites; the Rewi Maniapoto Reserve, Orakau Battle Site, St John’s Church, and the Karangapaihau/Rangiaowhia Catholic Mission & Cemetery.

It was coincidental that the visit to the Rewi Maniapoto Reserve was almost to the day of the passing of the great warrior – 213 years ago. Whilst at Karangapaihau/Rangiaowhia Catholic Mission & Cemetery, the students were joined by 17 officers of the NZ Army, who were taking part in their own educational programme for new army graduates.

Captain Matthew Fraser (Ngāti Tūmatauenga) also identified the importance of knowing about the NZ Land Wars, “We undertake a trip around Aotearoa to enable our officers to familiarise themselves with some of the historical accounts of the NZ Land Wars”.

Te Wharekura o Maniapoto kaiako Fran Borg said that the ‘Kura-ā-iwi’ educational framework enables the tamariki to connect back to our history. “Our mahi as kaiako is to focus on wellbeing and achieve the pinnacle of excellence for our tāmariki and uri of Rereahu-Maniapoto by using the greatest gifts left to us by our ancestors – our reo, our tikanga, our kawa and our unique Maniapoto history and identity”.

Rovina believes that this is a positive step that Te Wharekura o Maniapoto are making towards actively including the history of the NZ Land Wars into the curriculum, and when asked if she could be apart of the haerenga, she didn’t hesitate. “This is absolutely wonderful, and I’m proud that our young ones are here to experience this day, we’re making history!”.

Best Friends – Making dreams a reality
Gallery
Best Friends – Making dreams a reality

Featured, Latest

Best Friends – Making dreams a reality

For best friends Trazdyn Willison (Ngati Kinohaku, Ngati Peehi, Ngati Te Kanawa) and Nanaia Elkington (Ngati Porou, Ngati Koata), their dream of “putting their hands in as many jars as possible”, is becoming a reality.

These young and inspiring entrepreneurs have embarked on an ambitious task of setting up, not one, but a number of businesses, to support the awesome work that they love to do, all within a few short years of leaving High School.

The first is a company called ‘Hokioi Limited’, where they provide Drone services to record footage of still shots or recordings for documentary productions. A drone, in a technological context, is an unmanned aircraft but essentially, is a flying robot which is remotely controlled.

The second is a clothing label that specifically caters for the gym and fitness market which forms part of their own personal individualised growth into bodybuilding for the pair.

And then there is, of course, their music label ‘Naia’, which produces smooth R&B soulful vibes with a catchy beat but easy on the ear.

Combine all of those together and you have one huge powerhouse of a production company, which all work hand-in-hand with one another.

Nanaia believes its all about making the most of what you have around you. “The opportunities, resources and making something of it. To move forward you have to put your hand in as many jars as possible.”

Trazdyn has also found it as another way of connecting with his iwi. “It’s great working with our whānau from Ngāti Peehi & Ngāti Te Kanawa who have helped our business and allowed us to gain experience and understanding. Plus it’s also great coming home to do the mahi, catch-up with the uncles and cuzzies and have a mean feed of boil-up.“