Ten years ago, a young rangitahi, Tipunakore Rangiwai was having a korero with Mrs Patterson (Tumuaki) one day at the gate. Mrs Patterson asked Tipunakore to look from the gates and share his thoughts on what he saw at our kura in relation to Te Ao Māori. Tipunakore took a moment and looked. He then replied to Mrs Patterson “Well Miss, it’s gotta be more than words”. Mrs Patterson asked him to explain his thinking and Tipunakore went on to suggest “We need a Tomokanga”. The seed was sown. Over time, this korero never left Mrs Patterson’s mind, even after Tipunakore finished his time at Inglewood Primary kura.
Sometime later, Matua Moni Martin would come along to kura and work alongside his partner Whaea Marcelle with Kapahaka. Matua Moni, Mrs Patterson and Whaea Marcelle were having a korero one day and Mrs Patterson mentioned the story of Tipunakore. It was at that moment, it was agreed we could undertake the kaupapa to design, create and install a Waharoa.
Over time many Korero were held with various people around the kaupapa of this project, including Board of Trustees members, always guided and supported by Rumatiki Timu.
After a while the slabs of wood were sourced.
The Macrocarpa rakau came from the Caskey whānau south of Inglewood, however we learnt the whānau were ex pupils of Inglewood Primary. The Caskey whānau told us the story that, over time they noticed that the tree slowly was leaning over each time Tāwhirimātea blew his gusty winds. One day the whānau looked out to see a Pīwaiwaka gently landing on the Macrocarpa Tree and it slowly fell to the ground. The Pīwaiwaka is a significant manu found within the whakairo of te Waharoa / Tomokanga
Matua Moni was working alongside a group of rangatahi (including Matatuhi and Anahera ) sharing stories about what was significant to our kura and the beginnings of the design work was created. Matua Kaarena Kingi along with son Gideon also had input into the mahi undertaken.
The slabs were blessed by Rumatiki Timu and the carvers Matua Moni Martin and Matua Barry Te Whatu, together with a few Rangatahi, they worked their magic.
Our korero around our Waharoa/ Tomokanga also incorporates aspects of our School Pepeha, significant Rakau; Kauri, Kowhai, Rata & Miro, together with their leaves and flowers. These are represented within our whānau hubs; Puke Haupapa, Tokomaru, Pouākai, Waiongana iti and Panitahi, our school REACH values, Kapahaka uniforms and Student Leadership opportunities. The frangipani flower and Harakeke represents the Pasifica community and diversity of cultures, The Mangopare represents - coming to show mutual respect for each other.
Whānau Hubs
Puke Haupapa whānau connects us with Te Maunga Taranaki and images of Rata tree (the leaf and flowers are significant within the whakairo of Te Waharoa) and flower, Whero in colour which is also represented in R for REACH - Respect which is according to a Māori legend, a young Tāne named Rata had to learn and earn as he tried to save his village.
Tokomaru whānau have symbols and images not only relating to the waka, but also the Miro tree, (the leaf and flowers are significant within the whakairo of Te Waharoa) kahuirangi (blue in colour) and als0 the E in REACH - Expect - expect the best that you can be.
Pouākai whānau connects us with not only the Pouākai range but also Kowhai Tree and the Kowhai flower (yellow in colour) (the leaf and flowers are significant within the whakairo of Te Waharoa) together with the A in REACH - Achieve - achieve through opportunities.
Waiongana iti whānau connects us to Waiongana iti awa which flows alongside our kura. There are images outside our gate designed by Pukerangiora Hapū incorporating the wildlife living within the awa. The Kauri tree is represented within our Waiongana iti whānau hub and its kakariki flowers (green in colour) (the leaf and flowers are significant within the whakairo of Te Waharoa / Tomokanga) together with the C in REACH - Communicate - communicate actively with kindness and grace.
Panitahi whānau connects us with Panitahi on te Maunga Taranaki and it is in this whānau we have our youngest tamariki within our kura as one legend is told that Panitahi was the baby of Taranaki. It is within this whānau we welcome and transition our under 5 year olds who attend our Mini Moa sessions weekly. The H in REACH - Hauora - feeling safe and happy within our community. Our Panitahi tamariki are also within each of our other four whānau on whole school occasions. The koru of the Hauora panel represents Taha Hinengaro, Taha Wairua, Taha Tinana, Taha Whānau, which again is represented within the whakairo of the Waharoa / Tomokanga.
We would like to acknowledge the carvers Matua Moni, Matua Barry and Rumatiki for their mahi and support around this Ataahua Taonga
We would like to acknowledge Matua Moni and Matua Barry’s whānau as well as they have supported them over the past 18 months of mahi, especially Whaea Marcelle
We are immensely grateful to
We are also very grateful to;
Pukerangiora and Puketapu Hapū, Te Atiawa, Ngati Maru raua Ngati Kōhanga Moa iwi for their tautoko.
We are very appreciative of the business support from;
TET for a grant we received to purchase the slabs of rakau
Tuara Civil - Hone, Patu, Sonny Elliott and team
Buckthought Engineering - Bucky and team
ACG Property Services - Andrew Georgeson -
Hel Rimu - Ben Richardson and team
John Harland - Caretaker
Board of Trustees Tash Allerby, Ray Smillie, Chris Dalliston, Chris Gyde, Christian Rose Debbie Carter and Tracy White. together with former Board of Trustees Members: Grant Kenny, Tracey Phillips, Shaun Tee, Paul Edwards, Sarah Lucas.
Our former and present kaimahi / staff.
ngā mihinui nui koutou
We hope you enjoy the photos below.
