An evening for Māori whānau to connect, share ideas, and enjoy kai and kapa haka

On Wednesday 18 March, we hosted our first Whānau Night for the year. This was an evening for Māori whānau to connect, especially as with new ākonga having started in Year 7 this term, we have some new whānau joining our kura. 

The evening showcased our growing kapa haka rōpū. It was amazing to see the range of items they had learned in just a few short weeks. There is a huge number of juniors joining our kapa haka rōpū who are bringing their range of experience from the primary sector. Our older rangatahi, led by Tū Rangatira, Kane Te Whiu, are enjoying making connections with them and teaching them our school haka.

Watch a performance by our kapa haka rōpū here.

We also had a whānau activity where parents and their sons created a profile of what they wanted for their boys to experience and to achieve in their time at Rosmini College that would allow them to nourish their curiosity and experience about Te Ao Māori and tikanga Māori, and to experience success. Using the Te Whare Tapa Wha model, whānau shared their ideas about taha wairua, taha hineengaro, taha tinana and taha whānau in the context of whenua connection.

Matua Wilson shared our vision as a school for our Māori students and how we would like to move forward and grow what we are doing. Finally, as always with our whānau events, we finished with shared kai down in the E Block. It was a beautiful evening for a BBQ where we all relaxed, made connections and shared stories.

We are very keen to have whānau support us with upcoming events like the Kapa Haka Showcase, Te Wiki O Te Reo Māori and Matariki. If you would like to get involved, no matter whether in a small or large capacity, please contact one of the following:

Matua Justin Manuel: [email protected]

Matua Kane Wilson: [email protected]

Whaea Jacqui Matiu: [email protected]