Manaiakalani Guest's In New Zealand

An Unforgettable experience!

Have you ever had to sit in the hot sun with no hat what-so-ever?

Well, Wednesday 25th March the 12 Manaiakalani Schools including: Tamaki Primary, St Pius X, Glenbrae School, Tamaki College, Panmure Bridge, Stonefields, Glen Innes, St Patricks, Sommerville Special School, Ruapotaka Primary and Te Kura Kaupapa Maori O Puau Te Moananui A Kiwa gathered at Pt England beach to greet the Hokule'a & Hikianalia Education Leadership coming all the way from Hawaii.

As the whole school walked  to our designated seating place,  we saw our classmates:Natalia, Giovanni and Johnnie.  These student were chosen as leaders to represent our school along with other leaders from the Manaiakalani Cluster, to lead the Haka and Waiata that had been taught by one of the Maori teachers in Pt England over the previous few weeks.   

The whole cluster was talking until the sound of a horn filled the air and caught the attention of the adults and children waiting patiently.  Everyone’s eyes stared out to the water of the Tamaki River to see looked the huge Waka slicing through the shining water towards the  2000 strong crowd.  It was so quiet at that time that heard the anchor drop into the water to bring the waka to a stop. At that same moment, a woman stepped up on the sandy foreshore before us and began a karanga, calling to the visitors and the ancestors.

When the woman finished her karanga,  a mini speed-boat glided to shore, bringing groups of our guest’s to shore.

The leaders started off perfectly singing “E Oho” and doing the Haka that goes with it. Everytime the speed-boat came the leaders would sing until every single person in the Waka had come.

When each guest had left the Waka a man did a  karakia and we our guest’s replied to his speech with speeches in their language. Our guest’s sang a Hawaiian Song and 3 students from Pt England school, said their Maori Mihi’s, followed by a koreo (short talk) about why the Manaiakalani Schools were there and how the word “Manaiakalani” had been formed. After the Mihi’s were finished the Principal from  Pt England, Mr Burt had a little hug with one of the guest’s and told the whole Cluster that it was time for ... ‘The Impossible’ This is where each school (starting with Pt England) got up and walked down onto the sand to personally be part of the welcome by doing  high-fives!
When St Patrick’s had finished high-fiving each guest we walked to our bus and left to school.

It was a great experience to see people part of our Manaiakalani Cluster coming to see how each school in the cluster is working with their Chromebooks. The student leaders were invited back to Pt England school to the Hangi that people from the Marae ( A Carved Building that usually belongs to the local iwi)  What a fantastic experience, definitely one to remember.

Morning Tea

Morning Tea Break

“Come on just hurry up and grab it” I said, Natalia grabbed the basketball,  grabbed her lunch and we all ran down to the bottom court.

“I’m Master,” I said         

“I’m first” Natalia said

“I’m second” Irene said

“I’m third and i’m fourth” said Celeste and Gabby as we formed a line to play master. Master is kind of like basketball but one person has to be the master while the others form a line to shoot the basketball into the hoop, if that person gets it in then their master, if they beat everybody in the line they get a life so when somebody else beats them they get to have another shot.

As Natalia went to shoot the hoop all the boys came into the court to play as well but that didn't stop us from playing. Natalia shot the ball and it went right into the hoop.

“WHAT”  I shouted, in a high pitched voice.  It sounded like I was those people singing opera. I just couldn't believe it,  she got it in on her first try. I was so angry but at the same time confused. Next up was Irene,

“Man you should watch this I’ll get it in on my first try,” she shouted.

Up went the ball but unfortunately,  it hit the edge of the hoop.  The look on her face showed that she was furious! She grabbed the  ball and bounced it so far it went to the other side of the court. Natalia just couldn't handle it and she immediately started  to  laugh.  She laughed  so hard that she turned red just like a tomato (well perhaps not that red) and she walked , confidently up to the ball, grabbed it and then positioned herself on the yellow line and can you believe it,  shot it right in.

Next up it was Celeste’s turn.  She  stepped up with the basketball in the palm of her two hands. She went to shoot it and unfortunately missed. Natalia grabbed the ball and tried to shoot and she missed as well , it just kept on going and going and going until Natalia finally shot it in and up came Gabby. Natalia passed the ball to Gabby and Gabby shot it right passed the hoop. Natalia threw it  and she got it in, and then I came and I shot it and on my very first shot, got it right in, I was so happy I did my victory dance -  but just for a sec.

Irene went to shoot but the bell rang and we headed out of the court to go to class. It was such an awesome but challenging game. The only thing I couldn't stop laughing at was the way each of us got angry because we couldn't get the ball to fit right into the hoop.