From left, Emanon Hapi, Moronai Hapi and Promise Taumata of Flaxmere College prepared pork bones (miti poaka) for a traditional boil-up lunch yesterday. Photo/Duncan Brown
From left, Emanon Hapi, Moronai Hapi and Promise Taumata of Flaxmere College prepared pork bones (miti poaka) for a traditional boil-up lunch yesterday. Photo/Duncan Brown
A Hastings school celebrated Maori Language Week in cultural style this week by preparing a traditional Maori meal for its staff and students.
Flaxmere College shared a feast of boil up, made from pork bones, potatoes, kumara and puha, at lunchtime yesterday.
Leader of te reo Maori learning, Tamatikahu Ratapu,said having the small hakari [feast] as a whanau was part of the school's celebrations for Maori Language Week.
"Our whole school supports this event as a whanau. Staff and students have contributed and prepared the ingredients in the food tech room during the morning."
Running until September 17, this year's annual Te Wiki o te reo Māori is themed "kia ora te reo Māori" which translates to "let the language live".
Mr Ratapu said the school community had worked hard to prepare the feast in the morning; peeling a number of potatoes so large there were "too many to count".
Portions of boil up were available for all students who wished to try the food at lunchtime and they were encouraged to speak te reo Maori to support the language week.
"Our school is committed to strengthening our students' language and cultural identity. As a school we encourage our students and staff to use te reo in everyday conversations.
