Lifting ākonga and whānau wellbeing through Mau Rākau
Lifting ākonga and whānau wellbeing through Mau Rākau
A Mau R膩kau programme has had a positive impact on students in Palmerston North through a collaborative approach and te ao M膩ori practises promoting fitness, confidence, and well-being.
Whakarongo School recognised the need to boost fitness levels and foster confidence in their a虅konga (students) to support their holistic development.
With enthusiastic support from the school's staff and community members, and a helping hand from the T奴 Manawa fund through Sport 惭补苍补飞补迟奴, they introduced a Mau R膩kau programme called Te R膩kau a T奴 a Rongo. Mau R膩kau is a traditional form of M膩ori martial arts, using a long-staffed wooden stick.
Te R膩kau a T奴 a Rongo embodies te ao M膩ori ancestral practices, ti虅kanga (customs), values, and protocols to cultivate active play, enhance fitness, and encourage a healthier lifestyle among a虅konga.
Many a虅konga at Whakarongo School were experiencing barriers to pursuing fitness goals, such as time constraints, financial limitations and family commitments. Te R膩kau a T奴 a Rongo aimed to help 膩konga overcome these hurdles while empowering them to thrive.
The programme attracted 65 a虅konga, aged 8 to 13 years old, of many ethnicities and cultures 鈥� with the school confident that anyone, regardless of culture, would benefit from the kaupapa.
The motivation and dedication of the a虅konga was key to the programme鈥檚 success. Their regular participation and genuine interest created an atmosphere of excitement and whanaungatanga. The kaupapa introduced fun and creative games into the sessions, making learning an enjoyable experience for everyone.
Just as important were the positive relationships developed between the a虅konga and their Mau R膩kau tutor, Karanama Peita. Under his leadership students felt empowered to explore their potential with confidence. The supportive environment encouraged a虅konga to actively participate, take on challenges, and develop newfound skills.
鈥淚t was incredible to see all our tamariki thriving in a te ao M膩ori kaupapa! It was a prime example of what works well for M膩ori, works well for all!"
The kaupapa received overwhelming support from participants鈥� wha虅nau, who all attended the whakaari (showcase) event in which a虅konga showcased their achievements through the programme.
鈥淚t was so wonderful to watch, and the k艒rero that brought us parents in on the learning journey was awesome 鈥� I learned so much,鈥� said a parent of one of the students.
This partnership between the school and wha虅nau created a better sense of community and reinforced the importance of cultural heritage and physical well-being.
Kaiako (teachers) and staff members embraced the principles of the kaupapa, incorporating active play games into their classrooms, and the Mau R膩kau activities were integrated into the school's broader curriculum and practices. This not only added to improved fitness levels among all students but also to a school-wide culture of physical activity and well-being.
Te Ra虅kau a T奴 a Rongo highlighted the power that immersion in te ao M膩ori has to boost confidence and promote fitness and wellbeing among a虅konga. It provided a journey of self-discovery, empowerment, and community support that left a positive mark on all involved.
