Children at Te Kura o Waioweka are the latest to benefit from an educational project birthed by Te Tawa Kaiti Lands Trust.

Trust general manager Hinehou Timutimu visited the school last week to present educational resources aimed at various age groups from kohanga reo to years 7 and 8.

This was the second distribution of educational resources in the Bay of Plenty as part of the Kua Āmio Ki Tōna Timatanga project, Ms Timutimu said.

“These resources hold the voices, stories and wisdom of our tupuna, woven together to inspire the next generation.

“We are proud to partner with Te Manawa o Tūhoe, whose support has made this second distribution possible. Our collective aim is to ensure that this kōrero reaches and resonates with as many of our mokopuna, tamariki and rangatahi as possible, helping preserve and celebrate our rich cultural heritage.

“Alongside these books, we have also created a series of YouTube videos and an online platform where these kōrero continue to live and grow http://tetawakaiti.co.nz

“We look forward to seeing how these resources support learning – we hope these resources ignite curiosity, pride and a deeper connection to our shared history.”

Penned by talented writers, the books have also been beautifully designed and illustrated. The concept behind them is one of inter-generational learning.

“We saw an opportunity to begin to develop our historic foundation for Te Tawa Kaiti Lands Trust. The way we saw we could do that was to gather the histories and stories of our people who grew up on and worked the land. Many have moved away to various parts of the world and then move back, or they remain away – when they think of home what is it that they think about?

“We interviewed people of various ages, with those interviews being made into YouTube clips. These were then made into educational resources (both E books and hard copies) and all the material was then placed on our website.”

Ms Timutimu said it was fitting to be distributing the materials to Ōpōtiki schools on the run-up to Anzac Day.

“One of the books centres on 28th Māori Battalion B Company veterans, telling the story of two brothers who go to war, but only one returns.

“Through the dreams of a mokopuna, a girl is transported back in time, where she sees the brothers on horseback. As she comes to understand who they are, the true significance of Anzac Day becomes clear.

“The 28th  Māori Battalion veterans had a decisive influence on our Lands Trust being formed in 1989. Members of B Company were among the owners who decided to amalgamate their lands to form the trust.

“To us they are more than just a history lesson – they are part of our story.”

CAPTION

Standing, from left: Te Ua Pounamu Tai; Te Kura o Waioweka principal, Hilda Patterson, Teremoana Biddle, Arohana Apanui-Manuel, kaimahi whenua Ataahua Kingi, Manuera Biddle, Te Tawa Kaiti Land Trust general manager Hinehou Timutimu. Kneeling, from left:  Grace Kurei, Tareha Tai, Marlee Pio, Ahiwaru Kurei, Ngāwaia Kurei, Te Uruariki Kingi-Teddy and Raniera Kurei.