Kohanga Reo

Tu Tangata, Issue 13, 1 August 1983, Page 18

Kohanga Reo

He whakaahua/Pictorial

Kohanga Reo has sprung up in the Wairarapa with several kohanga being opened recently.

In Martinborough, Whanau Hou o Hau Ariki operate out of the Town Hall and cater for 16 children. The kaitiaki is Tama Issac. Secretary, Joanne Te Kani says the mothers are very enthusiastic, as this is the first pre-school experience for most of the children. Tama Issac says the mothers are also eager to swot up on the Maori language so that they can help their children more.

At Karearea, Greytown, another kohanga is underway with Kiri Tewhaiti as kaitiaki and nannies, Gilles and Kingi. Seven children are catered for in what must be one of the more unique settings for a kohanga, a swimming club hall. The mothers are keen to attend night classes in the language to bone up their level of conversation with the children. Kaitiaki, Kiri Tewhaiti, a former leading Toastmistress came out of retirement to nuture the children of Karearea.

In Featherson, the parents of the ◄ newly established Nga Waka couldn’t wait for the completion of their pre-fab building and have been meeting in one of the family’s homes. Hine Paewa is the kaitiaki and she looks after the needs of 19 children. Whilst the children are learning, so are the mothers with impromptu lessons on familiar objects around the home, such as kitchen utensils.

At Mahitaone, in Masterton 16 children are catered for by kaitiaki, Vera Naera. The kohanga has been set up under the auspices of the local branch of the Maori Women’s Welfare League. Another kohanga, Arohaina is also operating in the Masterton area making the Wairarapa a developing area for Kohanga Reo.