A GREAT DAY OUT!
20 May 2024
An invitation was extended to members of the Confederation of Te Āti Awa ki Whakarongotai, Ngāti Raukawa ki te Tonga and Ngāti Toa Rangatira to attend an open day at the campus of Te Wānanga o Raukawa on Saturday 11 May. The sun was out and the skies clear. Planning for the day included activities for tamariki, the 3 x 3 basketball competition, games and prizes, presentations by each of the academic areas, the hakari, and entertainment by staff from Te Whare Kōrero.
Games, bouncy castle and the colouring in competition for the tamariki were a hit. The colouring in competition was judged by the new librarian Nyria Ratana-McBride and the winners were Marino Waerea-Carkeek, Ngāti Raukawa and Ngāti Toa (in the 0-4 years age group), Te Awanuiarangi Hosiaux, Te Āti Awa (in the 5-9 years group), and Keanu Tahiwi, Ngāti Raukawa and Te Āti Awa (in the 10-12 years age group). The winners each received a $20.00 Warehouse voucher.
Whilst the competition was close, in the end the 3 x 3 basketball competition was won by Ngāti Toa Rangatira. The trophy, named “Whakakaupapa i te noho tahi” came from a line in the waiata “Tau mai e Kapiti” which was composed by Kingi Tahiwi and which refers to the unity of the three iwi. The trophy was crafted by Kereama Wanoa, who is part of the team at the whare whakairo. The trophy was presented to the Ngāti Toa team by the Tumuaki, Mereana Selby following a shootout. Each player in the competition also received an ART designed t-shirt. A big thank you goes to Paxman Taurima from Raukawa Basketball, who organised the competition.
Mereana Selby, Tumuaki presenting the Whakakaupapa i te noho tahi trophy to Ngāti Toa rep Hyrum Hippolite
Following the hakari entertainment was provided by Te Whare Kōrero staff, who performed much loved waiata from “Tauira” and “Takitoru”.
Attendees to the open day could participate in a competition to visit each of the academic areas and hear about the courses they teach, and then have their “passport” stamped to go into a draw to win a gift pack. There was a prize pack for tamariki and another for pakeke. These were won by mother and daughter Atahira and Nancy Hapeta, Ngāti Raukawa and Ngāti Toa. Another prize pack was won by Aria Collier, Ngāti Toa and Ngāti Raukawa for filling in an “expression of interest” form. The big prize for the day, the 2025 scholarship for a year’s enrolment fee at Te Wānanga o Raukawa was won by Aroha Ropata, Te Āti Awa, Ngāti Raukawa and Ngāti Toa. Aroha is elated at this good news. Aroha is interested in the Heke Whakaakoranga Kōhungahunga, the early childhood programme, and in the Rongoā programme. Congratulations to all the winners and thank you to everyone who came!
"Ehara toa i te toa takitahi, engari, he toa takitini"
If you are interested in any of our courses, go to https://www.wananga.com/nga-akoranga to check them out.