Woodlands school visit the te rau ahora marae (1)

Woodlands

School Visit Te

Rau Aroha Marae

On August 29th Woodlands School

headed to Bluff to visit Te Rau

Aroha Marae, the world's southern-

most marae. When we arrived we

had to line up at the amazing gates

and wait to be called in.

Outside the entrance were

many beautiful carvings

that towered above us.

On August 29th Woodlands School

headed to Bluff to visit Te Rau

Aroha Marae, the world's southern-

most marae. When we arrived we

had to line up at the amazing gates

and wait to be called in.

Outside the entrance were

many beautiful carvings

that towered above us.

When we arrived at the entrance to

the Marae we had to take off our

shoes because it is polite and

respectful to do so. Then we entered

the Marae and the best man gave a

speech. Mr Fleming gave the speech

for Woodlands school. We also

offered a kōha which is a gift.

As we walked up the path,

we saw many more carvings

on the Marae. There were 3

heads from the different

tribes that represent Bluff

and Southland.

When we arrived at the entrance to

the Marae we had to take off our

shoes because it is polite and

respectful to do so. Then we entered

the Marae and the best man gave a

speech. Mr Fleming gave the speech

for Woodlands school. We also

offered a kōha which is a gift.

As we walked up the path,

we saw many more carvings

on the Marae. There were 3

heads from the different

tribes that represent Bluff

and Southland.

Inside the dining hall were huge,

colourful artworks hanging everywhere.

After morning tea we learnt about all

the carvings and weavings and what

they meant. In Māori the sun is called

Ra. These two magnificent

c a r v i n g s r e p r e s e n t

sunrise and sunset.

Sunrise

Sunset

Inside the dining hall were huge,

colourful artworks hanging everywhere.

After morning tea we learnt about all

the carvings and weavings and what

they meant. In Māori the sun is called

Ra. These two magnificent

c a r v i n g s r e p r e s e n t

sunrise and sunset.

Sunrise

Sunset

Marama is the moon and

Māori use the moon as a guide

for planting crops and fishing.

This bright trail is of the

sun (Ra) moving across the

sky from morning to night.

Marama is the moon and

Māori use the moon as a guide

for planting crops and fishing.

This bright trail is of the

sun (Ra) moving across the

sky from morning to night.

This beautiful design

represents the cold

Antarctic winds.

Above the kitchen were more beautiful

artworks. The bags on the wall were

called kiti and they were used by the

Māori to carry muttonbirds in.

They are made out of bull kelp wrapped

in tōtara bark inside a flax basket. Five

muttonbird chicks were tied up at the

same time and put into the kiti together.

This beautiful design

represents the cold

Antarctic winds.

Above the kitchen were more beautiful

artworks. The bags on the wall were

called kiti and they were used by the

Māori to carry muttonbirds in.

They are made out of bull kelp wrapped

in tōtara bark inside a flax basket. Five

muttonbird chicks were tied up at the

same time and put into the kiti together.

This weaving represents different ika (fish), blue cod and trout

Trout

Blue cod

Here is Rongo the God of C u l t i v a t i o n . I n M ā o r i mythology, Rongo cultivated vital food crops, especially the kūmera or sweet potato.

This weaving represents different ika (fish), blue cod and trout

Trout

Blue cod

Here is Rongo the God of C u l t i v a t i o n . I n M ā o r i mythology, Rongo cultivated vital food crops, especially the kūmera or sweet potato.

This piece of art represents the oyster shell and we all know that our famous Bluff oysters are a Kiwi icon!

Te Rau Aroha Marae dining hall also had shiny, polished pāuā shells that were positioned along the rafters.

Here is a diamond shaped design and it is cal led pā t iki or flounder because of its shape.

This piece of art represents the oyster shell and we all know that our famous Bluff oysters are a Kiwi icon!

Te Rau Aroha Marae dining hall also had shiny, polished pāuā shells that were positioned along the rafters.

Here is a diamond shaped design and it is cal led pā t iki or flounder because of its shape.

At Te Rau Aroha Marae we also learnt the Māori names for different landmarks. Did you know that Bluff Hill is called Motu Pōhua?

The Kōrua (crayfish) was a traditional food for the Māori and was caught using a bundle of ferns.

At Te Rau Aroha Marae we also learnt the Māori names for different landmarks. Did you know that Bluff Hill is called Motu Pōhua?

The Kōrua (crayfish) was a traditional food for the Māori and was caught using a bundle of ferns.

We had a marvellous time at Te Rau Aroha Marae!

We had a marvellous time at Te Rau Aroha Marae!