Tika Pono Aroha - Hikoi with Ngati Paoa

Our teacher only days this term began in February with korero detailing the history of our local Iwi Ngati Paoa.  We were honoured to have Iwi representatives come to our T.O.D and share with us their histories, and their goals for the future.

We were told of the journey of Ngati Paoa to restore their mana motuhake over  culturally and historically significant sites which are all around our school and neighbourhood.

At the time of our first meeting with Ngati Paoa negotiations for Treaty redress were about to draw to a conclusion.  Ceremonies were to conclude with a signing of a treaty settlement mirroring the signing of te Tiriti of te Waitangi at  Karaka Bay in March 1840.  The values of Ngati Paoa have guided their interactions with the government and we learnt how these values of Tika (correct), Pono (honest and truthful) and Aroha (understanding and caring) are at the centre of the relationship that they seek to develop with our school.  

This korero set the scene for ako between us and the iwi.  We were able to see how into the future we could work in partnership to provide learning experiences for kaiako and tamaki in a mutually affirming  way.  It was exciting to hear of the plans for integrating maramatanga in real and tangible ways into our teaching.  These included instuction in maramataka,  waka, whakatupu a wai,  and te kapehu whetu.  

Ngati Paoa are the  Mana whenua of the locations important both historically and currently, to our kura and our whanau.  The maunga, awa and moana we reference in the school pepiha are the sites of Ngati Paoa.  Thus it was fitting that the final day of term 1 was spent on a hikoi lead by Ngati Paoa to walk on the sites of Pa, of extensive mara kai, and to climb Maungarei.  

We were treated to korero detailing the history of the sites as we stood on them and were invited to picture ourselves on those grounds in the years of Ngati Paoa residence.  Being in those places whilst hearing of the lives of the people allowed a much deeper understanding of the historically strategic importance held by the places we now reside.  

I could easily appreciate how Maungarei with its expansive views over Tamaki makaurau was a jewel in the crown of Ngati Paoa.  The Tamaki river with its access to the Hauraki gulf, and Manakau harbour was likened to State highway 1. It was understandable that being in this site Ngati Paoa would develop a thriving community of thousands of healthy strong residents.  Standing on the grounds of Mauinaina and the Mokoia Pa, the site of the 1821 battle with Ngapuhi felt like walking amongst ghosts, and made it easier to appreciate how the arrival of muskets had disturbed the delicate balance of power that had existed amongst tribes before the arrival of Pakeha.  Click here for a historical account of the battle

It was heartening to hear the plans Ngati Paoa have to commemorate these sites and to plan how we can share this korero with our students.  

This extract from an Auckland Transport document developed in conjunction with Ngati Paoa details some of the sites we visited and provides further historical information we heard on the day.