Ko Tae Mai Te Raa! The Day Has Come!

Ko Tae Mai Te Raa! The Day Has Come!

Today marks a historic milestone in the journey of Te Taamatatanga o Pukekohekohe as we open our doors at our temporary venue, 52 Franklin Road, Pukekohe. This day has been eagerly awaited by many, and it finally arrived in the presence of our 13 new excited students, their whaanau, members of Uplift Church, and our valued partners from Papakura High School.

As Nana Tini proudly exclaimed, “Ko tae mai te raa!” – The day has come! Her words echoed the significance of this moment, reminding us all that this has been a journey years in the making. What once began as a dream has now turned into reality, and our community has come together to celebrate the success of many who contributed to this vision.

Whaea Rereokeroa acknowledged the efforts of the dedicated team, highlighting that the past four to five months have been both short yet incredibly productive. She proudly reaffirmed, “No matter what, we’re going to open!” The spirit of perseverance and hope has brought us to this day, and we have great expectations for the future. She also extended a special acknowledgment to Papakura High School, stating that we would not be here without their unwavering support. This partnership has been essential to our progress.

The Deputy Principal of Papakura High School shared the enthusiasm of the school's Board of Trustees, who are fully supportive of this partnership. They are excited to see this collaboration take root and flourish, knowing that it’s the beginning of something remarkable.

Pastor Rupert offered a meaningful reflection by quoting scripture, “Do not despise these small beginnings, the Lord rejoices to see the work begin…” His words served as a reminder that this is just the start of many great things to come for our students and community.

The feedback from whaanau was tremendous. They expressed their excitement and pride, knowing that this day has finally arrived, and they look forward to what lies ahead. There’s a sense of optimism and hope for the future, especially for the next generation of te reo-speaking students.

Whaea Kahiwa Moeau, our substitute kaiako, also expressed her happiness and gratitude. She is excited to support the kura and the aakonga until the new kaiako begins in two weeks. Her presence and dedication are invaluable during this transitional period.

Despite the challenges, we have opened the doors of Te Taamatatanga o Pukekohekohe. This is more than just an opening; it is the fulfilment of a shared vision and mission—a hope for a brighter future for our students in an environment that has been created with them and their whaanau at the heart of it all.

Today, we celebrate not just the opening of a school, but the realisation of aspirations, the strengthening of partnerships, and the beginning of an exciting new chapter for education in Pukekohe. Ko tae mai te raa! The day has come!