He kākano ahau i ruia mai i Rangiātea

I am a seed which was sewn in the heavens of Rangiātea

Nā ngā Mātua tūpuna tēnei reo ō tātou. Ka tika me tuku mihi ki a rātou mā kua manawanui i tēnei reo me ōna tikanga kia ako tonu ngā rangatira mō āpōpō. Ko te reo Māori me ōna tikanga te kuaha ki te ao. Ahakoa Māori mai, Āhakoa Āhurea mai, he wāhi haumaru tēnei mō te iwi katoa.

Te reo Māori is an official language of Aotearoa, New Zealand. It is a poetic language with beautiful, layered meanings, and understanding which helps Birkenhead College students understand the culture of our tangata whenua: the indigenous people of Aotearoa.

Throughout their journey of studying te reo Māori me ōna Tikanga, students will learn skills such as speaking, reading and presenting in Te Reo Māori. Students will also learn of the rich histories, songs and values that are embedded within the culture. When taking Te Reo Māori or Te Ao Māori, students will develop a greater range of views, cultural practices, and greater confidence in discussing them. Please be aware that you do not have to be Māori to learn te reo Māori.

Nō rēira karapinepine mai ki te whānau nei.

Head of Curriculum Management

 Mrs Margaret Nightingale

ne@birkenhead.school.nz