Mokopuna day at Te Poho o Rawiri Marae

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Kohanga reo of Tairawhiti will celebrate the kaupapa that is te kohanga reo with a mokopuna day at Te Poho o Rawiri Marae tomorrow.

The event is being hosted by the Te Whakaruruhau Kohanga Reo of the Tatou Tatou Purapura — one of the clusters within the Tairawhiti region.

Te Whakaruruhau is also celebrating its 35th birthday on Friday.

Te Whakaruruhau administrator Alana Irwin said it had been a while since the region had held a mokopuna day, and the whanau were looking forward to the event.

“It’s a great opportunity to celebrate our kaupapa of te kohanga reo,” she said.

There will be activities throughout the day, including arts and crafts, a bouncy castle and play zones.

During organising meetings for the event, Te Whakaruruhau whanau decided to combine the mokopuna day with their 35th birthday.

“We actually turned 35 last year in April,” she said. “But because it is such a special event for us, we waited until the new dining hall at Te Poho o Rawiri Marae was completed.

“Te Whakaruruhau is based in Kaiti. It has been a beacon of light in this community. It is fitting that this celebration will be held at Te Poho o Rawiri.”