In late February, education coordinator Antonia O’Donnell and Ngāti Kuia’s Ruihana Smith visited Linkwater School. The pair introduced the Project, as Ruihana explained the meaning behind Kaitiakitanga and the connection to the environment. Before the visit, tamariki were given a worksheet titled “Connecting with your whenua”, where they were asked to draw an image and write a few words on an area within Te Hoiere that’s special to them. The classes were then challenged to come up with a project to help them become kaitiaki of their school or community and tell us about it when they are ready. Kaitiakitanga is just one programme under development as part of the Project’s education series. Get in touch with us at info@tehoiere.org.nz if you’d like to learn more.
