Nau Mai Haere Mai Nga manuhiri e
Kuhu mai Kuhu Mai panuitia mai e

Ko Pukeone te Maunga
Ko Motueka te Awa
Ko Tanui me Tokomaru nga waka e rua
Ko Ngati Rarua me te Atiawa nga iwi e rua
Ko Te Awhina te Marae
Ko Turangapeke te whare Tipuna
Ko Te Awhina te Kohanga Reo .

 

Te Awhina History

Te Awhina Marae is situated on an old pa site, the Tangata whenua are descended from Ngati Rarua me Te Atiawa. The first building standing was the Whare Karakia Te Ahurewa; built in 1897.

The next building to be open was the Whare kai Hurae in 1958 to serve the needs of the local Maori community and Maori seasonal workers from Te ika a maui  and from near and far who came to harvest tobacco and hops.

In 1986 our Kokiri (training centre) was established and in 1987 the carving school was established to provide training in the traditional art a

Tohunga whakairo John Motu was the pouako of the training scheme, with his guidance and help from many of the local Maori community they carved our Wharenui Turangaapeke. Turangaapeke was named after a famous ancestor and it was opened in 1990.

Te Awhina Kohanga Reo was first trialed in the month of March 1984 to find out how much Tautoko (support) would be offered.  Tino nui te Tautoko Koro ma Kuia ma (grandparents) Matua Keke, Whaea keke (Uncle / Aunty) the support Ka Puawai it blossom.

Mary Kingi and Georgina Perring were the first Kaiako (teachers) and Te Awhina Kohanga Reo was officially opened on April the 30th 1984.

The Whakaaro was "Ma te Whanau mo te Whanau" (by the family, for the family) to which the Whakaaro is still very much living and breathing.

Te Awhina Kohanga Reo has been operating for 23 years and will be running for many more to come so my advice to you would be Nau mai haere mai nga tangata katoa come all : all are Welcome

Te Awhina - We are Unique

Our children are privileged to have the Marae as their playground and are steeped in Te Reo me ona Tikanga they are able to interact with Powhiri; Haruru: Whaikorero; kapa haka; Tangihanga; Karanga; Waiata; poi a very intricate part of the learning that surrounds our mokopuna (children) daily.

We are a living learning Maori language nest that is total immersed in Te Ao Maori the uniqueness of Kohanga Reo is that the Whanau are the one who are learning and nurturing their mokopuna needs and personal growth on a daily bases to ensure they are stimulated in a environment that benefit there own individual learning of how they see the World. We are also very fortunate to be so close to Te Moana; Te Awa: Nga Maunga me Te Ngahere The sea; river mountains and the Forest.

We have also the opportunity as Parents to learn alongside our tamaiti (child) to have good qualifications.

This is always a good time for our Whanau to Interact with other s that are also Immersed in Te Kaupapa o Te Kohanga Reo.

Within our Marae we have, NMIT training courses ,Hauora and other services available to the whanau and the wider community. ,  

We also have a really good relationship with nga Kohungahunga kindergarten; Playcentres; Play groups that also enrich our mokopuna learning of their wider community and the people that live within it.

We also have a variety of people in our community they learn all aspects of how to keep safe; good eating choices, how to keep our tinana (body) healthy.

Our local Police; Fireman; Dental Nurse, Eyes and Ēars Specialists; Conservationist; Car safety ; Nutritionist , all the people that can and will help get the best informed choices they can make for live long choices.

As most of our Kohanga whanau are new , we were privileged to enter in to Te Awhina Kohanga while Nani Puanani Kelly was still there before she left to "Retire". It was only a brief time with our Nani, we were Whanau Hou to this kaupapa, but she gave us a foundation to Kohanga and embraced us with the Kaupapa, we still keep in touch with our Inspirational Nani Puanani, we recently went to her 70th birthday in Otautahi. Tu Meke Nani Puanani.

 

Visit our Gallery
Phone us on 03 528-7517
Email Us at whanau@k10a017.kohanga.ac.nz