A Haerenga to Waitangi – Honouring the Past, Shaping the Future

The journey of learning at Te Taamatatanga o Pukekohekohe is not confined to the walls of our classrooms—it extends beyond, into the wheenuaa, to the places where our histories were shaped and our futures were determined. This week, our aakonga embark on a significant haerenga to Waitangi, a place of immense historical and cultural importance for all Maaori.

This is more than a school trip; it is an experiential waananga, an opportunity for our tauira to stand on the very wheenuaa where our tuupuna gathered, debated, and signed Te Tiriti o Waitangi. It is here that the living document promising our mana motuhake and tino rangatiratanga was etched into our history. By walking in the footsteps of our ancestors, our aakonga will gain a deeper understanding of the koorero, the promises, and the ongoing impacts of Te Tiriti in our world today.

At Te Taamatatanga, we are committed to ensuring that learning is relevant, revealing, and real. This haerenga is an embodiment of that commitment—where history is not just read about but experienced; where our tamariki can see, feel, and connect with the stories of our people. It is through these lived experiences that they will develop the wisdom and critical thinking needed to become the leaders of tomorrow.

Our kura exists to nurture strong, confident rangatira who carry the knowledge of the past while forging pathways for the future. This haerenga to Waitangi is a step on that journey—a chance for our tauira to understand their place in the world, to engage with our history firsthand, and to prepare themselves to be kaitiaki of our tikanga, reo, and whakapapa.

As we set off, we do so with excitement, curiosity, and a deep sense of responsibility. We go not only to learn but to honour, to uphold, and to return enriched, ready to continue our kaupapa of strengthening our people, our kura, and our communities.

Te Taamatatanga o Pukekohekohe—nurturing leaders, shaping futures, standing strong in our whakapapa.