Māori and Pasifika – Tainui Full Primary School

Kia Ora, Kia Orana and Talofa Lava,

Here at Tainui, we are lucky to have cultural expertise sitting amongst some of our kaiako. With their knowledge and expertise, we are fortunate to provide our tamariki with learning opportunities and experiences within Te Ao Māori and Te Ao Pasifika. We aim to embed the use of Te Reo Māori within the classroom and learning conversations.

Language Weeks and celebrations that we celebrate yearly are:

Samoan Language Week (May-June)

Matariki (June-July)

Cook Islands Language Week (August)

Māori Language Week (September)

Each week, a range of activities are organised to promote and acknowledge these wonderful languages and cultures. From games, art competitions, reo challenges and more, our kura embark on a journey of learning.

2025, with the re-introduction of Class Councilors and House Captains into leadership roles. We have begun to teach our tamariki, through collaboration, how to plan, organise and prepare activities and events for our school. This year, our tamariki successfully planned our Matariki Breakfast.

Every, even year, our kura participates in the bi-annual South Waikato Culture Festival. In 2024, we had 132 tamariki participate in our whole group performance. A great feat to organise and pull off for our kura and tamariki.

Karakia

At Tainui we have school karakia the purpose behind our karakia is:

To be culturally responsive and aware – karakia is part of Māori culture
Learn, understand, implement, Te Ao Māori (the world of Māori), te reo and tikanga – sharing of key Māori values, messages and practices
It brings a sense of belonging

At Tainui we acknowledge and accept the unique place of Māori as tangata whenua (people of the land).
We encourage awareness, knowledge and understanding of the bi-cultural heritages of both parties to Te Tiriti o Waitangi (English & Māori).

We support the Treaty of Waitangi and the use of Te Reo Māori as a living language.

Our tamariki are not going to learn about Māori anywhere else in the world and so we have a responsibility to ensure our tamariki know about Māori culture, tikanga and te reo in our school context.

Karakia is not religious instruction, therefore we are not placing religious belief on the teachings of Māori karakia.

Click Here – School Karakia

The Benefits of Learning Te Reo

Te reo Māori and tikanga Māori are intertwined, and so learning te reo Māori gives students access to te ao Māori (the Māori world) and to Māori world views. The insights and experiences that students gain as they learn the language will enrich and broaden their understandings of the uniqueness and complexity of te ao Māori. As students compare tikanga Māori with other cultures within New Zealand and overseas, they develop an understanding of the central roles that language, culture, place and heritage play in shaping identity and in giving direction and meaning to life. They come to understand that culture shapes the ways people think and behave, and begin to appreciate the value of cultural diversity. They learn about the important role that indigenous languages and cultures play in New Zealand and throughout the world.

We have a large percentage of Cook Island Māori within our school. We aim to integrate the language and continue to mainly learn through song and lessons.
It’s important to us that we recognise and celebrate various cultures within our school. For children to know who they are and where they come from can help them to be successful at school.Check out this site to help learn Cook Islands Language:
Click Here

Learning the language through waiata is a great way for our tamariki to understand and practice the language.

Check our a couple of waiata we sing as a school:
Click Here

Karakia Whakatimatanga
Beginning Prayer

E Te Atua
He mihi tenei ki a koe
Mo ou painga ki a matou
AmineDear Lord
This is our greeting/acknowledgement to you
For keeping us in good stead/well/safe/on the right path
Amen

Karakia Whakamutunga
Closing Prayer
Kia tau kia a tatou katoa
Te atawhai o to tatou Ariki
O Ihu Karaiti, me te aroha
O te Atua, me te whiwhingatahitanga
Ki te Wairua Tapu, ake, ake, ake
Amine

The love of God
And the fellowship of
The holy spirit
Be with us all
Evermore
Amen