As a school in Aotearoa New Zealand, we have a bi-cultural commitment. We understand and recognise the unique status of tangata whenua in Aotearoa New Zealand and that it is our responsibility to ensure the taonga of Te Ao Māori is shared with the next generation.

Our school Tikanga is aligned with Māori Tikanga therefore: 

We ask children not to sit on tables – this is because food may be eaten at the table 

We don’t put hats or bags on tables – again, this is because food can be eaten at the tables  

Food is not wasted as part of our inquiry approach. Ideally, food would be out of date and able to be re-purposed/composted at the end of its use. We are mindful of the environmental aspect of using food as part of our curriculum.  

Although this is a busy school, during lunchtime we encourage children to be aware of not stepping over lunchboxes or other children whilst they are eating – food is precious and should be treated carefully, plus it’s not hygienic to walk over food. Heads are also considered to be tapu (sacred) in the Māori culture, as in many other cultures.  

In all of our classrooms, we work with students from a range of different cultures and backgrounds. It is important to get to know all of our students and their cultural beliefs, traditions and values so that we can acknowledge them in a culturally responsive way.  

Whakatau ki te Kura o te Roto a Rangi 

Whakatau

At the start of each term, the school holds a whakatau which is a traditional Māori welcome, which literally means to settle. This ceremony is our way of welcoming new students and staff, along with their families, into the Balmoral School community.
You are very welcome to bring extended family plus anyone who is important to your child as they begin their learning journey at Balmoral. You will receive an invitation to the whakatau nearest to your child’s start date.  

What to expect at the whakatau:  

• The manuhiri (visitors) will gather together outside the hall then someone will lead you into the whakatau  

• The tangata whenua (hosts) will be seated facing the manuhiri (visitors) to welcome you.  A mihi (welcome speech) will be made by a representative of the school, and then the children and staff will stand and sing a waiata (song) to support the speaker’s message.  (There may be other speakers, and a waiata will follow each speech. Children and staff will sit down).

• A representative from the manuhiri (visitors) will respond, and then the group will stand and sing a waiata to support the speaker. The group will then sit down.   

• The last speaker will then be from the school.    

• Hariru – the hosts and new families involved will shake hands, hongi (nose to nose) or kiss. 

Balmoral School will offer a simple morning tea or kai for everyone to share. This concludes the whakatau and signifies the coming together of the visitors and the Balmoral community. 

Tikanga – Whakatau (Customs or Procedures) 

After consultation with our school-wide community, including staff, parents and the Board of Trustees, as well as consultation with local Kaumatua, we have developed our own school tikanga (customs or procedures) for our school whakatau, to reflect the visions and values of our school.

Men and women are both allowed to speak – this is both for the tangata whenua and the manuhiri. The Principal will open the whakatau with a formal mihi. 

Speakers are welcome to speak in any language they feel comfortable with, however a greeting in Te Reo Māori is encouraged. 

Men and women can sit in the front row, while speakers must sit in the front row.  If on the front row, you will be asked to take part in the hariru. You can choose whether to hongi, handshake or kiss on the cheek. 

To recognise the Māori worldview and respect their mana, members of the SLT, whānau leaders and the tikanga team sit on the front row. Student leaders and representatives from the Primary and Intermediate will be invited to sit on chairs with the teachers as tangata whenua. 

A haka pōwhiri (welcoming chant) may be performed by staff and students.

We do not have a karanga (ceremonial call) at our whakatau. Karanga is traditionally viewed as a connection between the living and spiritual worlds. Karanga is steeped in tikanga and epitomises the mana wahine — the power of women within the marae. It is a spiritual call that has been heard through generations of whānau across the country and is usually used at a pōwhiri, not a whakatau. As part of our whānau consultation, the local Kaumatua and whānau felt that it was not appropriate for girls of Primary school age to be asked to karanga. It is also something that would require specialist teaching, and this is not something we are currently able to offer at our school.  

Manuhiri are invited to stay for a cup of tea, coffee or drink and a bite to eat to remove the tapu (sacredness) from the ceremony. A karakia kai will be recited before manuhiri are invited to eat. 

Waiata (Song)

Te aroha                   Love

Te whakapono        Faith

Me te rangimarie     And peace

Tatou tatou        Be amongst us all

Template for Manuhiri Speaker

A possible outline for what you could say – you do not have to speak in Te Reo Māori.

Tēnā koutou e te whānau o te Kura o te Roto a Rangi
He mihi ki a koutou katoa
Tēnā koe Malcolm (mō tōu kōrero whakatau)
Tēnā koutou ngā kaiako
Tēnā koutou ngā tamariki
Ko ____ tōku ingoa

Greetings to the family/community of Balmoral School
Greetings to all of you
Thank you Malcolm (for your welcoming speech/words)
Greetings to the teachers
Greetings to the children
My name is ___

Nō reira, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou,
tēnā koutou katoa.

Karakia

This is shared every day. It is non-denominational and allows us to come together and begin our day in a calm way with the intention of reminding students of our expectations. It can be spoken in Te Reo Māori and also in English so that the meaning is really understood. It reinforces our school vision, philosophy and habits.       

Karakia o Te Kura o Te Roto a Rangi

Tēnei mātou te whānau o Te Kura o Te Roto a Rangi
Here we are the community and family of Balmoral School

Whakakahangia mātou ki te manaaki me te tiaki i ētahi atu
Strengthen us and our ability to respect and look after others

Whakakaūngia mātou ki ā mātou mahi katoa kia whakapūmautia ai ngā akoranga o tēnei rā
Help us to persist in all that we do so that we enjoy the benefits of our learning

Tiakina hoki tō mātou kura me tōna taiao
Help us to work together to look after our school community and its environment

Tihei mauriora
Life force!

Traditional waiata, or songs, were not just sung or composed by men and women for entertainment but for specific purposes. Waiata were sung in public to express a range of emotions and to convey messages and experiences. Even today, waiata still hold an important role in bringing the past into the present.

Traditional waiata lyrics were a way of recording and passing down knowledge and stories to present generations; knowledge like the historical celebrations and laments of iwi, ancestor and composer. These songs, whether sung by individuals or groups, were expressions of a shared history between the singer(s) and audience.

At school, we use waiata as part of our school life. We share them in a range of ways, such as at our whakatau, in assemblies to give thanks for the learning that has just been shared, or to come together at the start of the day.

Below are some well-known waita that your children will learn – perhaps you could learn with them?

Waiata

Jump to:

Tikanga

Whakatau

Karakia

Waiata