Relaxed learning at Kia Pai Te Reo Wānanga

A cohort of whānau who have been taking fortnightly online sessions for several months recently attended a wānanga at Te Āwhina Marae, Motueka. The numbers were small, which meant a more intimate weekend, with kaiako Levi Ngawaka and Nadia Marshall bringing together the learnings from the year.

Pou Mauri Ora Ngawaina-Joy Shorrock said the online Reo lessons was a pilot programme for 2024/2025, so we will review the programme at the end of May 2025.  Feedback from whānau is valuable and helps to inform reo programmes and pathways for the future.

“Whānau have such busy lives, so the fortnightly online sessions have been a practical way to learn, connect with each other, stay informed of kaupapa and hui within the Rūnanga. The convenience of being able to dial in from home, with a relatively small group and having the pukapuka tautoko to follow along made a real difference for akonga.”

The wānanga began with a welcome into Turangāpeke and a kōrero on the whare with Matua Ropata Stephens.  The weekend programme included whakawhanaungatanga (connections), hitori (history), whakapai ake (revision), kemu (games), and haerenga (site visits).

The haerenga was a chance to familiarise with important wāhi tapu in Motueka: Te Uma and Te Puna o Riuwaka.

Ngāwaina said the weekend wānanga was relaxing after a busy and eventful year.

“The chance to spend time revising te reo, connecting with each other, the marae and whenua was important to whānau who attended, and they agreed the wānanga provided this.  

“The Rūnanga is committed to the long term investment into the revitalisation of te reo for Ngāti Rārua whānau”.