Te Reo Māori me ona Tikanga

“The New Zealand curriculum acknowledges the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi and the bicultural foundations of Aotearoa New Zealand. All students have the opportunity to acquire knowledge of te reo Māori me ōna tikanga”.

These guidelines support the Māori Education Strategy “Ka Hikitia – Ka Hāpaitia” 2021-2023 

At Houghton Valley School we have worked diligently, for a number of years, to ensure that Te reo Māori me ona Tikanga are being acknowledged in appropriate ways and that our students have an appreciation and understanding of the importance of the bi-cultural nature of Aotearoa.

In recent times, we have started worked with Waikato University – Poutama Pounamu to embed effective practice and pedagogy through a cultural lens.

Kapa haka:  Houghton Valley has kapa haka every week within their syndicates  It is compulsory for every class in the school to participate.  

This year we have emploed Matua Henare Parata to take our Year 5 and 6 students every Thursday afternoon. We perform for a number of occasions during the year, when required.  Then, later on in the year, we take volunteers from year 3-6 for an annual inter-school kapa haka festival.

Noho Marae:  Every two years(odd years), Houghton Valley year 5-6 students participate in a Noho Marae, (an overnight stay), at a Marae in Te Whanganui-a-tara.  Prior to going to the marae, students learn about what a marae is and its significance to the Māori people, they learn about a hangi and what is involved to prepare one, Māori protocol and importance of a powhiri, they learn kapa haka performance items and participate in workshops offered by parents and how to work together to contribute to making the event a success.