School provides highlight

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 5, Issue 19, 6 October 1987, Page 5

School provides highlight

National Park School's contribution to the Tongariro National Park Centennial was described as one of the highlights of the official celebrations. The whole school was involved in a play depicting the creation of the land that makes up the park. The play was part of the official celebrations held outside the Chateau at Whakapapa recently. The school chose to show the Maori creation legend, beginning with nothing, then with Rangi (the skyfather) and Papa (the earthmother) separated by Tanemahuta (god of the trees and forests). The heavens were clothed, with children representing the heavenly bodies, including Marama (the Moon), Kahukura (the Rainbow), Nga Whetu (the stars) and Ra (the Sun). The intermediate children showed the mountains forming, with Ruamako-the god of the mountains represented. Here children took the part of eruptions, lava flows and ash falls. Then the clothing of the earth was depicted by the

junior children of the school who represented the trees and flowers and birds. Finally the peopleing of the land, with the arrival of the canoes was shown. The children's elaborate costumes bore testimony to the hours and hours of work that went into them. The music and sound effects, devised by the school's music advisor, Mr Russel, added to the drama of the performance. School principal Mrs Porteous said she was very pleased with

the involvement of parents in the performance. She said it was a real National Park community effort. The school received a monetary gift from the Department of Conservation in appreciation of their efforts. The Tuwharetoa Maori Trust Board provided funds for the mothers to make a picnic lunch for the children, which they enjoyed after the celebrations were over.