Marae Recount

Yesterday, Wednesday the 6th of April was a great day. The whole senior syndicate travelled by bus to the Orakei marae. Everyone was so excited we couldn’t wait. As soon as we got there everyone jumped out of their seats, but the teachers told them to settle down. We all lined up to walk in the admin area, but before that Mrs Hansell had a little talk with us about what her expectations were. We walked into the whare kai and lined up in girls and boys lines.


When we got outside and we were under the entrance way to the atea. We had to get into our lines. The boys that were at back, but had to go to the front because they had to do the hongi with the tangata whenua. This is a tradition because in the olden days the tribe that they travelled to might have wanted to go to war with them so the men would go first, so that the women would be safe. The kai karanga called us on and as the manuhiri we had to put our hands near our stomach to remember all our ancesters. When we entered the marae we had to take off our shoes. The tangata whenua sang waiata and then it was playtime. After play the boys and girls split up. The girls went with Whaea Celeste to learn the poi and we went with Matua William to learn the haka.


The haka was especially challenging for me because we went over it many times. I couldn’t keep count. Next we had lunch time, we swore to Matua William that we wouldn’t tell the girls what we were doing. It was time the girls showed us their items and we showed them. Both items were amazing. It was a great experience going to the marae. I learnt a lot of things including building relationships and how knowledge is the most important thing. I had a great time and I hope we get to go back there again.