‘E tipu e rea mo ngā rā o tō ao
Ko tō ringa ki ngā rākau ā te Pakeha Hei ara mō tō tinana
Ko tō ngākau ki ngā tāonga a ō tīpuna Māori
Hei tikitiki mō tō māhuna
Ko tō wairua ki tō Atua, Nānā nei ngā mea katoa’.
‘Grow up and thrive for the days destined to you.
Your hands to the tools of the Pakeha to provide physical sustenance,
Your heart to the treasures of your Māori ancestors as a diadem for your brow,
Your soul to your God, to whom all things belong’.
On Tuesday 4 August, 40 ākonga from Whānau and Te Reo Māori classes attended the annual Rangatahi Māori Motivational Speaker Day at Te Papanui. Our tauira joined over 300 rangatahi from secondary schools across the region for a day of fun, engaging activities led by Te Puna Waananga o Wairere with the forces, emergency services, health providers, and universities.
We were proud to have our very own Tihipuke alumni, Maria Huata, as MC for the day — keeping everyone entertained (and laughing!) from start to finish. She was a graduate of 1993.
A common thread ran through the kōrero from our guest speakers: focus on the subjects you’re passionate about, and apply yourself fully. Te Reo Māori, Kapa Haka, and Music came up again and again as the foundation many speakers built their success on. The message was clear — follow your dreams, and make them count.
A huge thank you to Te Puna Waananga o Wairere Trust for organising such a memorable day. We thoroughly enjoyed the guest speakers and their kaupapa kōrero, and we’re already looking forward to next year.
