Kaiako from across Tāmaki Makaurau stepped out of the classroom recently for a powerful day of learning and hands-on experience at the Mātauranga Taiao HALO Day.
Delivered in partnership by the Healthy Active Learning teams from Tuia Waitākere (previously Sport Waitākere) and Harbour Sport, the wānanga focused on deepening teachers’ knowledge and understanding of te taiao (our natural environment) while building confidence to authentically integrate mātauranga Māori into everyday teaching practice.
Throughout the HALO (Healthy Active Learning Opportunities) Day, kaiako explored pūrākau, made connections to atua, harvested native rākau and created natural resources to support learning and kēmu, all while weaving in te reo Māori.
Natalie Wilcock, Healthy Active Learning Advisor at Tuia Waitākere, says the kaupapa responded directly to what teachers had been asking for.
“Through kōrero with our kaiako and feedback from previous HALO events, it was clear there was a gap in knowledge and confidence around mātauranga Māori. This was a common theme across all the Auckland Regional Sports Trusts,” she says.
“As a wider region, we decided to respond collectively. Our aim is for kaiako to feel more competent and confident to engage in mātauranga Māori-based practices – whether that’s harvesting native resources, creating learning tools, or leading kēmu (games) using what they’ve made.”
Merimoana (Meri) Kenrick from Harbour Sport’s Healthy Active Learning team explains further. “We envisioned this day to be one that sparks excitement in kaiako to want to take their tamariki into the taiao to experience nature, how to harvest and use the rākau to be active.
“Kia manawanui, ka kitea ngā hua - Be steadfast, and the fruits will be seen. We may not see the outcomes on the day, but we are planting seeds of potential, with the hope that we can give our kaiako knowledge so it can be shared in a meaningful, respectful and correct way with our tamariki – as they are our future,” concludes Meri.
The day was one of several held across the region, with a separate wānanga also delivered for teachers in Central and South Auckland by CLM/Sport Auckland, ensuring the opportunity to build capability reached as many schools as possible.
Kaiako were encouraged to take their learning back into their kura, supported by the Healthy Active Learning team, to share with colleagues and embed these practices into everyday teaching.
“Our long-term goal is to see mātauranga Māori-based HPE (health and physical education) becoming a normal part of daily practice in our HAL schools,” says Natalie.
Feedback from attending kaiako was overwhelmingly positive, with many highlighting the practical, hands-on nature of the learning as a standout.
“It was awesome to see how we could utilise natural resources in several games that I could easily incorporate into the classroom,” commented one participant. “Harvesting the native plants was incredibly valuable. Understanding the tikanga behind it is knowledge that will be vital to pass on to our tamariki back at kura,” added another.
A particularly memorable response captured the success of the day. “To learn and be inspired about taonga tākaro – that should be in every school in Aotearoa.”
Kaiako are encouraged to continue engaging in the kaupapa, building their confidence and capability to take risks, try new approaches and share mātauranga Māori within their school communities – helping to create richer, more connected learning experiences for all ākonga.
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