School strengthens ties to marae

Tangata whenua welcomed Stratford High School year 9 students, international students and exchange students onto Whakaahurangi marae at Thursday morning's pwhiri.

"The exercise is about strengthening the relationship between the school and the marae," says whaea Kataraina Houia-Rongonui of Stratford High School.

Whaea Kataraina says the elders at the Whakaahurangi marae are huge supporters of the high school's Maori programme and kapa haka group. "By having the year 9 students welcomed onto the marae they can engage with their local marae and learn more about the history of the marae and the Stratford area."

Visiting students from New Caledonia and three European exchange students also took part in the powhiri. Margaret Bullen, teacher from Stratford High School says the New Caledonian exchange programme has been running for almost 8 years and a visit to Whakaahurangi marae is always a highlight for visiting students.

"The students get a real cultural experience from the visit and I believe they take a lot away from it."

Valerie Langlois, teacher at College Raymond Vauthier in Poindimi, New Caledonia, agrees, "it definitely is a highlight of the exchange for many of the students".

Following the powhiri the students heard from representatives of the local iwi, Ngati Ruanui, who spoke about becoming a leader amongst your peers and the history of the marae.

"It was a very inspiring talk, the students were very engaged and took notes throughout," says Margaret.

The students then got a chance to try their hand at kapa haka and poi.

Exchange student Pauline Schoenborn, from Germany, says learning poi was a lot harder than expected. "It was quite tricky to learn all in one day, I think I would like to practise a bit more."

Whakaahurangi marae hosted a 'Kiwiana' themed lunch for all the students with gifts of poi and putiputi laid out on the tables.