Understanding Waitangi Day
Our morning mat-time started off as usual with our tamariki participating in music and movement learning activities, these involved singing our “Haere Mai Welcome Everyone” waiata and an old favourite called “Kina Kina Kai Moana”. Following this we revisited the days of the week in both English and Te reo Maori.
One of our wonderful teachers then mentioned to the tamariki that on Thursday the 6th of February, we were all having a special day off where we could spend the day at home with family/whanau, as it was going to be Te tiriti o Waitangi - Waitangi Day. Some of our little ones asked, “Waitangi Day, what's Waitangi Day?”.
As a valued and meaningful way of supporting our tamariki and their understanding of Waitangi Day, we turned our attention to the World Map on our wall. We circled an area upon the map of where the Polynesian Islands are and discussed how many, many years ago, Maori ancestors sailed their waka's from these islands, traveling across the ocean to Aotearoa/New Zealand where they settled.
All of a sudden, our tamariki asked another great question "What's a Waka"? Together we found the answer - a waka is a Maori canoe/boat and after looking at a picture of a waka we found another connection within the centre - our special wooden waka on the wall that has been specifically designed for us. After exploring the two main waka that arrived in Tauranga many years ago, Takitimu and Mataatua, several of the tamariki called out with excitement saying, "Oh I've seen that, there's one in downtown!".
Moving our attention back to the World Map; we began circling England and Europe explaining, many years later whalers, sailors and European settlers sailed across the ocean in their ships arriving in Aotearoa/New Zealand as well to live. Unfortunately, there were some disagreements between both cultures about how to live, so a special document known as Te tiriti o Waitangi or the Treaty of Waitangi was drafted to help with this.
After looking at some pictures of this, some of our little ones asked another great question: "What's a document?”. We explained that in this case, it's a piece of paper that states the rules of a place that everyone has agreed to, to promote harmony. We also referred to our own Buckle My Shoe document that our Tamariki had recently made together.
Our tamariki showed their understanding towards the agreement by making comments such as "Yes - like using our gentle hands and not hurting our friends, don't hurt the insects and bugs, be kind, don't break our toys". Tino Pai to Mahi - that's what we have all agreed on!
We quickly moved on to view another two images, one displaying the signing of the Treaty in Waitangi in 1840 and another of Tamati Waka Nene of Ngapuhi, who was one of the Maori Chiefs that signed the Treaty. A display was created in a quiet corner of our Preschool Room and this consisted of a copy of the Treaty, taonga, kai moana shells, images of the signing, wakas, poi, headbands, rakau sticks, a kite, weaving, a booklet of images showing all the pou at Pukehinahina/Gate Pa Domain and New Zealand history books.
Tamariki of all ages enjoyed exploring the display at their leisure and throughout the day we explored different cultural activities such as making Piu Piu (Maori skirts), doing some weaving and learning more Te Reo. At Buckle My Shoe, we keep the spirit and promise of the Treaty alive by incorporating the Maori culture throughout our daily experiences and routines. 😊