Wairere Toi

Wairere Toi

Wairere Toi works in 10 schools through the Matamata district to share the principles of te ao Māori through the implementation of haka, waiata, karakia, tikanga and hākinakina. Our team works with more than 1000 tamariki and teachers every week, Māori and non-Māori. Wairere Toi also does small group mentoring with young people teaching them the traditions of te ao Māori to encourage cultural responsiveness, cultural appreciation and confidence to embody characteristics of ngā atua to help them navigate life at school and home.

A consistent kapa haka programme in schools continues, the mentoring programme grows and schools continue to grow a better understanding of te ao Māori to implement in the classroom for better outcomes.

Connecting our tamariki, including our tamariki hapori, to their individual and collective culture and identity strengthens their sense of aroha, manaakitanga and mātauranga.  It also helps guide our tamariki with the wisdom of past generations so they grow up resilient, confident and with a shared sense of community.