Art auction helps pupils get to Tahiti

Playing on traditional Tahitian drums are (from left) Keidon Himiona, 11, Cyprus Christie, 10, Tahuriorangi Mihaka, 11, and Leo Christie, 6, playing on traditional Tahitian drums. Photo/Stephen Parker

A bilingual Rotorua primary school is gearing up to fundraise for an unforgettable experience.

Whangamarino School is hosting an art auction to raise funds for a cultural immersion trip to Tahiti in November.

The school was invited to the island by Puna Reo O Moorea after the group visited New Zealand in 2011.

The school is sending 24 pupils between 6 and 13 to see how Puna Reo O Moorea is working to revitalise their native language.

Whangamarino teachers Teina Mear and Rehua Mihaka said it was important for the pupils to be exposed to other Pacific cultures.

"The trip will open their eyes to the big wide world and give them the chance to share our culture with the people in Tahiti.

"We work hard to install a sense of pride for the pupils' Maori heritage and it is important we let them share that."

The pupils will be in Tahiti for nine days and will participate in an education symposium and festival, and take part in everyday Tahitian activities to experience the Pacific culture.

Ms Mear said this was the first time they had held an art auction had been held to fundraise for the school.

"We have many talented artists among our students and in our community so we thought it would be a good idea to tap into that skill."

The auction will include a variety of art work including rock paintings, manu tukutuku (traditional Maori kites), and weaving from the pupils as well as donated work from community artists.

The art auction starts tonight at 7pm at the Waiariki Institute of Technology Tangatarua marae.

Everyone is welcome.