Culture

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Kia ora, Talofa lava, Mālō e lelei, Kia Orāna, Ni sa bula, Kam na bane ni Mauri,

Here at Hato Patariki we are proud of and embrace our cultural diversity. We offer our students the opportunity to become members of the Kapa Haka Roopu and this is the perfect space to extend their knowledge on tikanga Māori, ngā mahi a Rēhia and Te Reo Māori.  

We are also able to offer our students the opportunity to be part of our Pasifika group, which has always been led by the wonderful aiga in our school community. The underpinning core values and principles of our groups are Mana, Aroha and Pono.  

Te Reo Māori is taught every Monday in all classes and is then integrated into all areas of the curriculum throughout the week.

We are proud to be part of the Te Pōhā Mātauraka o Murihiku programme — a rūnaka-led initiative that supports schools in accessing and embedding localised mātauraka Māori. This collaborative educational platform, led by Waihōpai, Awarua, and Ōraka Aparima Rūnaka, serves as a key contact point for schools in Murihiku to promote, preserve, and grow mātauraka Māori in a culturally appropriate and respectful way.

Through the guidance of rūnaka leaders and whānau, our learning is shaped by local narratives that have been carefully selected for sharing within our kura. This ensures that what we teach is accurate, meaningful, and honours the mana of the knowledge holders.

Participation in the Te Pōhā Programme reflects our commitment to strengthening connections with mana whenua and deepening our understanding of the unique cultural landscape of our region.