East Auckland Children Experience Māori Culture at Local Marae

Children from the Barnardos Early Learning Centre in Pakuranga, East Auckland, recently engaged in a cultural visit to Te Tahawai Marae, offering them a firsthand experience of Māori traditions. The visit, which took place on an unspecified date, allowed the children and their families to explore local culture without venturing far from their neighbourhood.

The trip was made possible through the centre’s successful fundraising effort, which raised over $800 through the sale of donated clothing, homeware, and food. For many attendees, this marked their first visit to a marae, a vital aspect of Māori culture. The centre aims to enrich its local curriculum by introducing children to te ao Māori and its associated customs, known as tikanga.

Community Engagement and Cultural Learning

Joyce Balanag, the centre manager, highlighted the diverse community surrounding Pakuranga. “Our centre has 35 children, four qualified teachers, and two educators,” she noted. “There has been an influx of children from various backgrounds, and we are proud to represent 15 different languages within our centre.”

Balanag conducted a survey to gauge interest among families regarding the marae visit. The positive response prompted the centre to fundraise independently, allowing them to finance the trip without external management support. “This made our teaching team very proud and our families even prouder,” she said.

The enthusiasm among the children during the visit was palpable. Staff members strive to educate their students about Māori customs and practices. Balanag stated, “We have been learning about the tikanga of the marae, which includes songs, meals, and play. With guidance from our Māori families, we sought to understand the correct ways to engage in Māori customs.”

A Meaningful Cultural Experience

The visit to the marae proved to be a resounding success. Families expressed their satisfaction with the experience, as children learned about the significance of the marae and the wharenui (meeting house). Activities included waiata (songs) performed by Māori families, interactive games, and cultural storytelling, all of which contributed to a rich learning environment.

“The children were able to grasp the importance of the marae and the purpose of the songs we sang,” Balanag remarked. “It was half a day of beautiful learning, which aligns with our mission.”

Balanag emphasized the responsibility small centres like Barnardos have in providing meaningful educational experiences. “Our goal is to make learning tangible and impactful for all our children and their families,” she concluded.

The cultural visit not only strengthened the children’s connection to their community but also fostered a deeper understanding of Māori traditions, highlighting the importance of cultural education in early childhood development.