AWHINA WHANAU

Tu Tangata, Issue 31, 1 August 1986, Page 51

AWHINA WHANAU

Maori Education Foundation LAUNCHES

Awhina Whanau is a complementary, practical, pre-school education programme. It’s aim is to promote awareness of the values of pre-school education and family education. The programme’s philosophy is based on the belief that the family is the nest of learning little children learning with their parents and their grandparents, and involving the whole family and the community. Upon invitation to Kohanga Reo it has a total Maori approach with a full commitment to Te Reo Maori me Te Taha Maori. For other pre-school groups visited,

namely Child Care Centres, Playcentres, Family Playgroups and Kindergartens, Awhina Whanau offers a bi-cultural, bi-lingual programme. Support is given to Primary and Intermediate Schools and teachers, and Awhina Whanau works closely with the Itinerant teachers of the Maori language. R.E.A.P. Programmes in the Eastern Bay of Plenty are given support as well. The Awhina Whanau Programme is sponsored by the Maori Education Foundation and is directed by the Foundation’s PreSchool Officer, Mrs Hine Potaka. The services of Mrs Potaka and her

resource team are available to all preschool groups throughout New Zealand to hold seminars, workshops and demonstrations on the use of natural materials and discussion groups on aspects of child growth based on he Programme’s philosophy. Many child rearing practises cultural values - central to child learning, is managed with the guide and support of the Kaumatua of the tribal areas visited. If you, or your group, is interested in learning more about Awhina Whanau, please contact Mrs Hine Potaka, RD 9, Te Puke, telephone Te Puke 32-132.

SNIPPETS FROM AWHINA WHANAU

Kaupapa - Natural Resources Material: Leaves, stones, shells. Story-Telling Maori myths and legends, using flax puppets made by Awhina Whanau. Native plants and shrubs for medicinal values tried and true.

Flax Workshops

From 1980 to 1983, Awhina Whanau operated in the Waiariki District Regional area. From 1984 on, at National level; Invercargill to the South, New Plymouth to the West, Gisborne to the East and Kaitaia to the North.

The demands for Awhina Whanau are many. Mrs Hine Potaka, the Kai-arahi of Awhina Whanau attends to this by asking pre-school groups and other fac-. tions interested in Awhina Whanau’s kaupapa, especially Kohanga Reo and school teachers to write and invite so that the demands can be met. Kohanga Reo receives priority treatment as it is Awhina Whanau’s precious “taonga”. Te Reo Maori is stressed by Mrs Potaka in this instance.

Over recent months Awhina Whanau has been committed to four invitations as follows:

Arataki Primary School, Te Puke, with Infant Teachers and Kohanga Reo Kaitiaki of Tauranga-Moana. A live-in with Itinerant Teachers within the area, held at Whakaue Marae, Maketu [Flax Workshops]. St John’s Anglican Fellowship, Otu-

moetai, Tauranga. A follow-up from kaupapa presentation at Napier Cathedral held in November 1985.

Hangarau Marae, Bethlehem, TaurangaMoana. Wananga mo nga Kohanga Reo o Tainui with 200 supporters present. Also Te Atarangi, and Awhina Whanau Te Ariki-nui, Dame Atairangikahu was in attendance.

Dr Sal Waetford, Iridologist, and at the moment, the Maori Health Consultant with the Department of Maori Affairs was guest speaker at the wananga. She was well received and her presentation of visual-aid diagrams on her subject made us more aware of her comment “You are the caretakers of your bodies” worthwhile and valuable advice so simply presented.

Awhina Whanau also presented their kaupapa and a flax workshop session.

Evaluation comments wherever we visit are worthwhile and rewarding to Awhina Whanau, some of which are listed as follows:

“Originality, ingenuity and technique in presentation” Tupana Hill, Kaumatua o Tainui confirmed the inspirational message of the kaupapa “Te mauri ite wairua, te taha Maori was in all sections of the kaupapa” Nga kupu korero a nga Kuia seen this kaupapa three times before and yet everytime I’ve enjoyed it. When I see that Awhina Whanau is on the programme of Te Kohanga Reo, I make sure I get there.” “This is the practical work we want to see. This is more like it. We want more of it.” Atarangi representative - “This is what we would like in Atarangi to

further develop the language.”

CORSOFUND

Corso has for the first time asked for money to fund projects in New Zealand.

“The money raised in the Aotearoa Fund appeal will go towards Maori rural development projects,” said Corso Chairperson, the Reverend Don Borrie. “The details will be decided by the trustees of Corso’s Aotearoa Fund, who include people from all the major tribal areas in the country.”

A leaflet Corso has sent to its donors outlines some of the sorts of projects for which applications have been received. These include: researching tribal history, genealogy and land entitlements; developing isolated and unimproved ancestral land; conserving culturally important land; and providing emergency assistance to projects which have been decimated by natural disaster.

“The Aotearoa Fund will support the same sorts of development initiatives here that Corso has always supported overseas,” said Mr Borrie. “Like our overseas programme, it is a partnership between Corso and groups who are breaking out of the cycle of poverty and injustice.”

Mr Borrie emphasised that donations to this appeal would be held in a separate fund from other donations Corso receives. “Only money donated specifically for the Aotearoa Fund will be used to finance local projects,” he said.

Since Corso’s Aotearoa Fund was first advertised in June last year, more than $14,000 has been donated to it. “With this appeal, we hope to double that figure in two months,” said Mr Borrie.