Nelson Intermediate expands Māori medium education

Monday marked the grand opening of a new building at Nelson Intermediate School dedicated to Te Pītau Whakarei, the school’s Māori medium educational pathway.

Despite significant delays in resource consent and the impact of Covid-19, the classroom was blessed at dawn by Ngāti Rārua representatives in time for the first day of the school term.

Over 150 people attended the dawn blessing including local iwi, the wider community, past and present students and their whānau.

Te Pītau Whakarei was gifted the name by past teacher Arana Tamepō and likens the ākonga to the pītau of a waka as it glistens in the water, adding embellishment to the waka & carvings.

Māori medium education at Nelson Intermediate School has grown exponentially in recent years with 52 students choosing Māori medium as their preferred educational pathway compared to 17 in 2017.

For many years the classroom was situated on the second floor of the main school block and the roll has grown under the guidance of Nicky Chalmers, Erina Tuhakaraina and Tom Alesana.

Past student and current teacher Sela Manu, who also teaches in Te Pītau Whakarei, has fond memories of her time in the classroom.

“We were like brothers and sisters, whānau, even though we were from different places and backgrounds. But te reo Māori me ōna tikanga always grounded us”.

All four teachers are excited to move into the new space and create learning experiences that are meaningful to the students.

“Te reo Māori me ōna tikanga is the foundation of everything we do, and this space will enhance the learning of all of our learners. It is more conducive to the way we work and the learning philosophy of our akomanga”.

Although the school day started very early for the students of Te Pītau Whakarei, they were all excited to finally move into their new space.

Nelson Intermediate School principal Di Webb says the school values Te Pītau Whakarei as a taonga and want it to be front and centre.

“For many years, Te Pītau Whakarei has been the heart of all at Nelson Intermediate School. It has become clear that this is also the driving force for successful educational outcomes for ākonga Māori,” she says.

The school acknowledges the many contributors to this building project and all of those whānau and community members who were involved in the planning process.

The school also would like to acknowledge the te reo Māori me ōna tikanga champions who paved the way for Te Pītau Whakarei and dedicated their lives to this kaupapa.