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
POOWHIRI TIKANGA
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: