Nā Shakayla Andrews Alapaki tēnei atikara.
A new chapter has begun for Te Kōhanga Reo o Te Whānau Tahi with the opening and blessing of its new building.
Kōhanga whānau gathered at the front gate of the new Halswell site before karakia and karanga formally opened the space. The ceremony marked the start of a new era for the kōhanga, which has served tamariki and their whānau for more than four decades.
The kōhanga first opened its doors in 1982 in Rowley, Christchurch and remained at the same location for 44 years. One of its kaiako, Maia Kamariera, said the move is a long-awaited milestone for the whānau.
“Kāore e arikarika ngā mihi ki Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Whānau Tahi mō tō rātou whakaaetanga kia āhei mātou te noho ki tēnei whare. He māringanui e āhei ana mātou te noho ki tēnei whare,” Kamariera said.
HE HOKINGA MAHARA
Kamariera reflected on the kōhanga’s beginnings, when Rowley School provided a classroom to whānau seeking to establish a kōhanga reo. The building was named Te Whiti Marama o Kahukura.
“I hoatu a Rowley School i tētahi akomanga ki te whānau e whai kōhanga reo ana, ētahi rā wahawaha Stealing i whakaingoa i taua whare, arā ko Te Whiti Marama o Kahukura,” she said.
Over the years, the old facilities showed clear signs of wear.
“I tō mātou whare o mua ka kite i te kaha māuiui o ngā tamariki nō te mea kāore e mātou te kati i ngā matapihi. Kāore he wāhi moe, engari tēnei whare kua tino hikina te wairua o te whānau, ngā kaimahi, otirā me mihi ka tika ki tō mātou whānau, te whānau o te kōhanga reo,” Kamariera said.
KO TE WHĀNAU TE PŪTAKE
Kaiako Matiu Rau has taught at the kōhanga for five years and said his commitment to the kaupapa is deeply personal.
“He kaha te whakawhanaungatanga i waenganui i a mātou. Ko taku irāmutu, ko ia tētahi o ngā mokopuna ki konei mai i tana whānautanga, i noho au ki tōna whare, nō reira i whakatupu au i a ia ki tēnei kōhanga reo,” Rau said.
Kamariera is also raising her two sons at the kōhanga and hopes the kura kaupapa will eventually share the same site by the time her youngest is ready for primary school.
“Te mahi ki te taha o wāku tama e rua, ā tōna wā ka haere ki taua taha ki te kura, ā taua wā ka tae mai te kura, he waimarie he whānau te katoa, nō reira ka āhei te mahi me te tipu te kite i aku tama ia rā, nō reira āe rawe,” she said.
Plans are in place for the remainder of the kura kaupapa and wharekura to join the site within the next two years, bringing the wider Whānau Tahi learning community together in one location.
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