We began our day with a pōwhiri (well done, Nga te korekore sounded awesome!!!) and kai. Then we started our rotations. 8EK went into the wharekai with 8SS.
Bubba told us so much interesting information! The name of this building is Tapu Potiki and it is an ancestral house. It is named after a famous ancestor of the Ngai Tahu iwi, the main iwi in the South Island. The sculptures of wahine (women) represent the full blooded māori women who married the sealers and whalers who came into the area. These women had been brought to Bluff for safety from Te Raupraha and the fighting. It was easy to see how this had changed history for Māori simply through the changing surnames - Waa married and her surname became Bragg, Mere te Kauri married and her surname became Spenser, Whare Tutu married and her surname became Newton... The front of each woman opens and can hold family taonga. Also there are small sculptures attached to each representing how many children they each had.
Bubba then told us about the walls connecting the women. The first wall was a whakapapa wall showing where people came from. The next wall was Te au Marama (the world of light) showing through the poutama that when you learn something the light goes on (enlightenment). Going up a step equals more knowledge in your kete. Bubba talked about this also meaning making good decisions, inspiring others and being surrounded by people who inspire you and making sure your experiences were good ones. He encouraged everyone one to have helping hands and that there was always someone to help with your learning if you were stuck - you just had to ask! Then there was Nga hau e wha (the four winds) to include all people from all directions, E murihitu (5 main rivers and the coastlines), a wall representing early māori fighting, Whanau wall where people come to grieve), Ahi ka (work), the treaty of waitangi and the Potakumanu - a pole holding up the house. It was amazing to learn about all of these symbols!!!
The art at Te Rau Aroha is very bright and beautiful. It was created by the famous Māori artist, Cliff Whiting.
Next we had te rakau with Cherub, Cheyanne and Reese. They were really patient teaching us all the moves. Once we had our heads around the moves we split into groups to create a dance to the Harlem Shake which had to include the moves we had learnt. It was really fun.
Next we learnt a new waiata and actions with Khellsey-Anna and Elisapeta. It was really catchy! A few of us found it really difficult to put the actions and singing together! We will have to practice some more!!! It was great to be able to perform this to thank everyone at the end of the day as a year 8 community.Our final rotation was to play Ki-o-rahi with Mr Allen. We were running very late by this stage so we didn't have much time. We will learn more about the legend behind this game next week and we are hoping we will be able to play this game with Mr Beadle in Physical Activity as it was awesome!!!
Rhiannon and Summer are going to visit us in homeroom to teach us ringa so we will look forward to that.
