MORRINSVILLE COLLEGE
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NEWS & UPDATES
MANA WHENUA
Nau mai, haere mai.
An important part of Morrinsville College is our connection with our mana whenua (local Maaori people) Ngaati Hauaa. Morrinsville College is based underneath the sacred mana of Ngaati Hauaa and it is important for our students and their whānau (family) to understand that special relationship.
Many families from Ngaati Hauaa send their tamariki (children) to our kura to experience kaitiakitanga and manaakitanga. Many of our students come from our local iwi Ngaati Hauaa marae Kai-a-te-mata and Rukumoana (Ngaati Werewere). Raungaiti (Ngaati Te aro) and Te Iti o Itaua (Rangitaupi).
As an important part of our manaaki for those tamariki entrusted to us comes in the form of Te Puaawaitanga.
To uphold the mana of Ngaati Hauaa we have many tikanga and kawa that we follow in the school. You will also find a link to the haka and waiata.
It is also important that we acknowledge our strong connections with our other local iwi Ngaati Paaoa and Ngaati Wairere.
We are excited to provide you with information that we hope will deepen your knowledge and understanding of Ngaati Hauaa and the Kiingitanga.
NGAATI HAUAA AND WIREMU TAAMIHANA
Ngaati Hauaa
Ngaati Hauaa is a Maaori iwi of the eastern Waikato of New Zealand. It is part of the Tainui confederation. Its traditional area includes Matamata, Cambridge, Maungakawa, the Horotiu district along the Waikato River and the Maungatautari district, and its eastern boundary is the Kaimai Range. Leaders of the tribe have included Te Waharoa (1820s and 1830s), his son Wiremu Tamihana (1840s to 1860s) and Tamihana's son Tupu Taingakawa.
The tribe has played a prominent role in the Maaori King Movement, with Tamihana and descendants being known as the "Kingmakers". The current Kingmaker is local Tumuaki Anaru Thompson.
POOWHIRI TIKANGA
OVERVIEW
A poowhiri is a formal Maaori welcome by the mana whenua (local people) extended to manuwhiri (visitors). While each iwi (people) has its own unique protocols, the poowhiri tikanga that we make use of here at Morrinsville College is that of Ngaati Hauaa.
At Morrinsville College dress for poowhiri is formal with an expectation of men wearing long black pants and woman wearing a black skirt or dress below the knees with black stockings.
WAIATA & HAKA
Waiata
Waiata and Haka demonstrate our connections to tangata whenua and to local hapu and iwi. Choosing the appropriate waiata or haka is an art in itself and is done quickly and discreetly. Our school often has the opportunity to waiata: as support for hui and speakers; for creating an inclusive atmosphere in classes and within the school; and also at events and when visiting.
Particular waiata are often chosen because the words support a particular kaupapa (situation or context), or a particular speaker and their whaikorero, they may also be chosen to show respect for a particular iwi or hapu or for a feature of the landscape. If guests choose the same waiata that we may have prepared then we would quickly choose another. The waiata are an important and integral part of the exchange between groups.
Many of the waiata we use are listed are in the public domain and we encourage you to listen and learn.
| Nā Pania Papa (Ngāti Koroki)
Tiaho mai to aroha
Ka piata te wairua
Ka hikitia ka hapaingia,
Ka piata te wairua
Chorus
Ka hinga ana nga maunga
Toitu ra te wairua
Ka arahina e to ringa,
Ka piata te wairua
Ahakoa nga taumaha
Ka piata te wairua
Horahia to marama
Ka piata te wairua
Chorus
I te po tiwaha,
i te awatea
Ka piata te wairua
He wai karekare
He wai aio
Ka piata te wairua
Chorus
Our school song
Shining with your love
the spirit gleams
Given support and lifted up
your spirit gleams
Chorus
Mountains may be falling
but the spirit remains undisturbed
Led by your hand
The spirit gleams
Although you are ailing,
your spirit gleams
Lit by your moonbeam glow,
your spirit gleams
Chorus
In the noisy darkness,
in the middle of the day
your spirit gleams
On troubled waters
or on waters mirror-still
your spirit gleams
Chorus
Ka Piata
Haka
A haka is more than just a challenge! The meaning behind a haka often depends on the context in which it is being performed. Haka is more than just a “challenge”, as this stereotypical view can be misleading and often takes focus away from the true purpose of haka. The are several examples of how haka can be used:
Acknowledgement
This involves honouring distinguished individuals or groups. Haka can be used as a gesture of thanks or endearment.
Celebration
Haka is often performed in pure celebration of a significant event. Its performance represents the unification of the people performing it under a common celebratory idea or belief.
Boost moral
An example of this is the performance of haka by supporters at sports games to inspire the players on the field.
Haka Tautoko
Haka Tautoko (haka of support) can be used in support for a speech to further emphasise or add mana to the speech’s message and / or the speaker.
Haka Powhirī
Haka powhiri (haka of welcome) can be used to welcome people to a significant event.