Arowhenua Māori School, established in 1895 as a native school is located in the takiwā (region) of Arowhenua near Te Umukaha (Temuka), South Canterbury.
Kāti Huirapa (Kāi Tahu) mana whenua (peoples) of Arowhenua, despite suffering the consequences of colonization have always maintained a strong sense of permanence (toitū te iwi). So much so that when the government initiative to disestablish native schools, Kāti Huirapa refused. To this day the school maintains strong cultural links.
In 2017-18, we honored the dream of our hāpori and changed to a bilingual Māori school. The only such school in South Canterbury.
We created a new vision; He anga onamata, he aronga anamata. Ancestrally driven, future focused.
This was also the start of our journey to create a new learning environment that reflected this aspiration.
We consulted; our hāpori-ā-kura (school community and whānau), our mana whenua, our ringatoi (artists), our ākonga (our students).
We engaged our ringatoi to work with an architect to create a kura that whole-heartedly encapsulates our vision through the pūrākau, hītori, tikanga, and the whenua of our takiwā.
We understand and honor the intrinsic value these artworks bring to our kura as matauraka tuku iho (knowledge that is passed down).
It was our moemoea (dream) that the relationships our ākonga created with this culturally rich environment, would forge a permanent place within their ngakau (heart) to carry them through a lifelong journey of learning, establish connection, which in turn will create resilience and well-being.
Timing was of the essence as the kura was opened in 2022, right at the beginning of our post-covid recovery.
We would like to share this experience. The value of being within a space of cultural connection, where our ākonga feel validated through sense of identity, wellbeing, pride and resilience and where contexts for learning are meaningful.