Our blessing and official opening of Pouākai and Waiongana iti blocks.
We are immensely grateful to Ray Smillie, Tash Allerby, Clive, Nick, Mitchell, Amy and Team at South Coast Construction, Gina - WSP, MoE Property Wellington, Anna Walshaw, regional and Laura and Rachel NP, Jared at APdesign, and Rebecca - Hayman QS for their continued work around this project over the past three years. We are also very grateful to the support and guidance from Damon Ritai, Rumatiki Timu, Te Poihi Campbell, Uncle Albie Martin together with Kiri Maxwell former pupil and Trustee of Te Kohanga Moa Marae Trust, Matua Moni Martin, Whaea Marcelle Messenger, Whaea Mel Zimmerman, Steph Boyd and IPS Staff who tirelessly worked behind the scenes strengthening the kaupapa here at IPS.
We were brought together with our tamariki to plan and gather mouri stones from both Pouākai range and Waiongana iti awa to be placed on site here at our kura for past, present and future generations.
This is the story of both the Pouākai and Waiongana iti Mouri stones which were blessed and buried on Wednesday morning.
Pouākai - Libby and Martin
This rock immediately appealed to both of us because of the shape of the wing in the rock. We saw many levels of meaning.
We understand both Pouākai and Kaitaki were named because they were abundant food sources and the wing reminded us of the profusion of birds from Pouākai which would have been a source of kai for early Māori.
We also saw the wing as a symbol of our students’ aspirations – that their dreams should be limitless and fly like birds.
Also that our students will aspire to be like the Pouākai range and provide for the needs of others – not necessarily literally as in food but in supporting and helping others.
The rock came from the river – the source of food and life.
Waiongana iti - Rangi
I was drawn to a part of the awa where a small waterfall cascaded perfectly over a large stone which gave off a presence of being the essence of the river (like a heart). When I tried to remove it, it was clear that it was a stone that must remain in the river, it belonged there, and I couldn’t even budge it. I knew I would find a stone in this area and began feeling around along the waterfall, but none of these rocks would budge either. Just back from the waterfall, in the calmness, I spotted a stone similar in size and shape to the first one I spotted. It moved as soon as I touched it, like the river was saying, take this one, it’s okay, this is the stone you can have. It came away easy, but the weight seemed to get heavier and heavier the further I took it from the river.
I feel the stone chose me, rather than the other way around. It is a gift from the river. It’s not the heart of the river I was initially drawn to, but represents the love that flows like a river through our mahi, whānau and tamariki. It’s also a bit rough around the edges, like some of us.
Several of the past and present tamariki and adults.also gathering mouri and placed them in the site.
We were grateful to have our fabulous whanau and children together with local dignitaries; Neil Holdom, Councillors; Richard Jordan and Marie Pearce, former Board Chair Grant Kenny, Board Members, Paul Edwards, Chris Dalliston, Sarah Lucas, Chris Gyde and Shaun Tee,former Principal Gordon Terrill, former staff Errol Richardson, Ben Kershaw, Clint Frost, Andrew Birchler, Vicki Ritchie and Kahui Ako members Kate Fergusson and Lynda Sammon.
Our Kapa Haka tamariki proudly wore our newly designed uniforms which were designed with our REACH value colours and kaupapa. The story behind each panel created by Matua Moni, will be shared in next weeks newsletter. - nga mihinui Matua Moni
Nga mihinui, thank you, thank you, thank you
