A number of activities were held throughout the College to celebrate Te Wiki o te Reo Māori – Māori Language Week. The week began with a whakataukī, phrase, and Kupu o te Rā (Word of the Day) challenges which were introduced to the students each morning. Later in the week, a Tutor Group Te Reo Quiz Competition across the Secondary School was a fun way for students to test their knowledge on the whakataukī, phrases, and words they had learnt during the week. Head of Māori and Pasifika, Holly Maraki (Year 12), began the weekly chapel service with a karakia and whakataukī, and the International Assembly was opened by a karakia delivered by Hanaatia-Te Kani Hakiwai (Year 9).

In the Preparatory School, celebration include a daily karakia, waiata, and students encouraged to use te reo in their everyday language. A scavenger hunt and enjoying new stories and music in te reo were other highlights of the week, which culminated in a whole school gathering for waiata and haka, followed by singing with Matua Steve.

Rector, Christine Leighton, says she is proud of the efforts at St Andrew’s to provide opportunities for ākonga to learn and appreciate the significance of Te Tiriti of Waitangi and the obligations we have as New Zealanders to uphold its principles. “This means each of us engaging with learning more te reo Māori, becoming familiar with our history of Aotearoa and the impact this has had on today’s society, understanding and becoming confident with tikanga customs and practices, and celebrating the unique perspective and influence of our Māori people on future society.”