Te Reo Māori and Tikanga Māori at Ahutoetoe School

Orewarewa whenua, puāwai māhuri

On the fertile ground of Orewa, the sapling blooms

Just as a young sapling takes root and flourishes here in Orewa, our whakatauākī (proverb) beautifully reflects how ākonga (students) thrive and grow within our kura. This meaningful whakatauākī was gifted to us following a hui on August 11, 2022, when our tumuaki (principal) and Māori leadership gathered at our local marae, Te Herenga Waka o Orewa.

At Ahutoetoe School, we believe that te reo Māori and tikanga Māori are an essential part of who we are as a school community. Through meaningful experiences, authentic learning opportunities, and strong relationships, we aim to nurture a sense of identity, belonging, and pride in all of our ākonga.

Our commitment to te reo Māori extends beyond language lessons. It is woven throughout our daily practices, school events, celebrations, and connections with our local community. By embracing the language, culture, and values of Aotearoa, New Zealand, we help our students develop a deeper understanding of themselves, others, and the world around them.

We are proud to create opportunities for our students to learn, lead, participate, and connect through te ao Māori.

Daily Class Hui

At Ahutoetoe School, every day begins with a class hui. These gatherings provide an opportunity for students to come together, connect with one another, and prepare for the day ahead.

A key part of our class hui is student leadership. Students take on the role of kaikōrero, leading aspects of the hui using te reo Māori. Through these experiences, our learners develop confidence in speaking te reo, build leadership skills, and strengthen their understanding of tikanga and protocol.

Class hui may include:

These daily routines help create a strong sense of belonging and reinforce the importance of connection (Hono), care (Poipoi), and striving for excellence (Hiringa). 

Te Reo Māori Learning

All students at Ahutoetoe School participate in regular te reo Māori lessons as part of our curriculum.

Our programme focuses on developing students' confidence to understand, speak, read, and use te reo Māori in meaningful contexts. Learning experiences are carefully designed to build vocabulary, sentence structures, pronunciation, and cultural understanding in ways that are engaging and relevant for our learners.

Students learn through:

Our goal is for te reo Māori to be a living language within our school. We encourage students to use te reo throughout the day, not just during dedicated language lessons.

By learning te reo Māori, students develop an appreciation for the unique cultural heritage of Aotearoa New Zealand and gain valuable skills that help them connect with others and the world around them.

Whakatau

At the beginning of each term, Ahutoetoe School comes together to participate in a whakatau.

Our whakatau welcomes new students, whānau, staff, and visitors into our school community while reconnecting those who have already been part of our journey.

These occasions provide authentic opportunities for students to experience tikanga Māori in action and learn about the importance of hospitality, respect, and belonging.

Students participate in:

The whakatau helps strengthen our school culture and reminds us that every member of our community is valued and welcomed.

Kapa Haka and Junior Waiata Club

Kapa Haka

Kapa haka is an important part of life at Ahutoetoe School and provides students with opportunities to celebrate and express Māori culture through performance.

Our kapa haka group meets weekly and welcomes students who are passionate about learning waiata, haka, mōteatea, actions songs, and performance skills.

Through kapa haka, students develop:

Most importantly, kapa haka provides a strong sense of whanaungatanga as students work together towards shared goals and performances.

Waiata Club

Each week, we hold Waiata Club, where children from Years 0–3 are invited to come together to learn new waiata, school waiata, and senior kapa haka songs.

Waiata Club provides a wonderful opportunity for our Year 3 students to step into tuakana leadership roles, supporting and guiding our teina while helping to build confidence and knowledge of waiata across the school. It is a fun and inclusive way for students to strengthen their connection to te reo Māori and our school culture.

Tū Māia Kapa Haka Festival

One of the highlights of the year for our kapa haka group is participation in the Tū Māia Kapa Haka Festival.

This event brings together schools from across our local area to celebrate te ao Māori through performance. Students have the opportunity to perform alongside hundreds of other tamariki, showcasing their learning, commitment, and passion for kapa haka.

Participating in Tū Māia allows our students to:

The festival is always a memorable experience and a wonderful opportunity for our students to shine.

Te Kotahitanga Events

Ahutoetoe School is proud to participate in local Te Kotahitanga events throughout the year.

These events bring together schools from across our community to celebrate learning, culture, language, and connection. Through our involvement, students have opportunities to build relationships with peers from other schools while strengthening their understanding of te ao Māori.

Participation in Te Kotahitanga events reflects our commitment to working together, supporting one another, and building strong community connections.

These experiences help our students see themselves as part of a wider learning community and reinforce the value of collaboration and unity.

Matariki

Each year, Ahutoetoe School celebrates Matariki as a significant event in our school calendar.

Matariki provides an opportunity for our students to learn about the Māori New Year and reflect on its important themes:

Throughout our Matariki celebrations, students engage in a variety of learning experiences which may include:

Matariki allows us to pause, reflect, connect, and celebrate together as a school community.

Te Ao Māori Across the Curriculum

At Ahutoetoe School, te ao Māori is not limited to a single lesson or event. We strive to embed Māori perspectives throughout the curriculum and everyday school life.

Students regularly encounter te reo Māori and tikanga through:

We recognise the importance of helping students understand the rich history, language, and culture of Aotearoa New Zealand while developing respect for the diverse cultures that make up our community.

Growing Confident Learners

Through our commitment to te reo Māori and tikanga Māori, we aim to develop students who are:

By creating authentic opportunities for our students to learn, participate, and lead, we are helping them build the knowledge, confidence, and cultural understanding they need to thrive both within our school and beyond.

Contacting Us

For enquiries regarding Te Reo Māori, tikanga Māori, kapa haka, or cultural events, please contact Laura Thrush, lthrush@ahutoetoe.school.nz or Kirstin Craggs, kcraggs@ahutoetoe.school.nz