To prepare for the school year, the staff of Sancta Maria College were welcomed into Whaiora Marae in Otara with a very special Powhiri.
The Kaumatua and Kuia (male and female leaders) of the Marae helped us become part of the Marae whanau with the Powhiri. They then shared afternoon tea with us, and helped us explore the rich history of the Marae though the carvings in the Whare Nui, the Meeting house. They explained the birth of Whaeora Marae as a Pan tribal urban Marae to be another home for the Catholic Maori of Auckland. Together we explored the common heritage of our two communities, including both having Bishop Pompallier as a pillar, for them literally, as a carving of Aotearoa’s founding Bishop holds up the Whare Nui.
We have already planned more visits to Whaiora Marae for different year levels to grow our knowledge of tikanga, (Maori Culture), and to strengthen our family bonds.
