2010 Marae Trip

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TE HAERENGA O TE WHANAU O TE KAKANO 2010

My name is Georgie Transom and I am a student in year 13. This is my first year attending Northcote College which was a difficult decision for me to make as I have spent the last four years at an all girls boarding school. But; I made that choice to join mainstream. The transition has been surprisingly pleasant and that is thanks to Te Whanau o Te Kakano. My first encounter with the whanau, as a group was the trip to Te Kiri Marae in Leigh. Not only did I have the chance to get to know the students and Kaiako I learnt about the history of Te Whanau o Te Kakano. For me; this was my first trip but for the other year 13 students this was going to be their last, so it was exciting and at the same time sad.

Day 1: Wow! What a scorcher that day was. It started with a Powhiri (Welcome). After powhiri we were put into groups; Kowhai, Kikorangi and Kakariki. This was so the duties (cooking, activities and cleaning) would be shared equally. When the formals finished it was time to play and have fun. The majority of the whanau went to Mathesons Bay for a swim. I observed the year nines (as this was their first trip too) and it was laughter all around having lots of fun, it was a great atmosphere.

After dinner, everyone was eagerly awaiting the night’s schedule. The activities were prepared by our Tuakana; Shaunee, Tegan and Haylee. How lucky were we, they prepared a fashion show and a whakaari (skit). The skit was based on the Teachers at Northcote College. Two students (1 girl and 1 boy) from each group were dressed up, but the roles were switched, i.e. boy-lady and girl-man teacher, the teachers would have been proud, haha. Each group had only 15 minutes to come up and prepare their act. It was a great way to end the night after an awesome day, it was enjoyed by all, not to mention a great team building activity.

Day 2: What a shocker; waking up early to go to the fisheries, it wasn’t what everyone had in mind; it was just too early for most because they knew it was going to be a BIG day. But; we soon got over it; the tour was interesting and at the same time disgusting, the smell was foul. The day went on with more fun and games which took us to lunch time. After lunch was the extreme challenge. The challenge took place in Whangateau, even with the rain. The different groups were chanting their victory, practicing being winners but due to a few minor stress points, the challenge ended in a tie. Everybody walked away happy. Some returned to the Marae and began preparing work for our last night together. This was special as we had to make a taonga for our secret friend (whom we got given at the start of camp) out of resources found around the Marae, i.e. wood, shells, seaweed, etc. At the end of dinner we came together and sat around in a circle. Each person had to say one nice thing about their secret friend before presenting the taonga to them. I was amazed at this whole activity it showed another side of everyone, the thought and creativity that every person put in was overwhelming.

Final Day: Poroporoaki; our stay has come to an end. It was time to pull out the cameras and capture the good times we had, and moments to remember. We left the marae and travelled to the river. Some whanau were fortunate enough to kayak down the river all the way to Wenderholm Beach (which took over an hour), where the rest of us were awaiting their arrival, boy; were they tired; but buzzed. We finished our day with a big Hakari before returning home.

I would like this moment to thank Whaea Viki, Matua Mark and Stan for taking the time to organise this trip, giving us the opportunity to come together as a whanau. There was so much more than fun and games, this trip incorporated Tikanga, Whakawhanaungatanga, how to respect not only each other but our Environment and the list goes on, so thank you. I would especially like to thank all of you; the students, without you this trip would not have been the same.

Ngā mihi nunui ki a koutou katoa. I feel privileged and am very grateful to be a member of Te whanau o Te Kakano.

Small - Whanau Camp Fun Small - Whanau Camp Cooking v2


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Back	*TE HAERENGA O TE WHANAU O TE KAKANO 2010* My name is Georgie Transom and I am a student in year 13. This is my first year attending Northcote College which was a difficult decision for me to make as I have spent the last four years at an all girls boarding school. But; I made that choice to join mainstream. The transition has been surprisingly pleasant and that is thanks to Te Whanau o Te Kakano. My first encounter with the whanau, as a group was the trip to Te Kiri Marae in Leigh. Not only did I have the chance to get to know the students and Kaiako I learnt about the history of Te Whanau o Te Kakano. For me; this was my first trip but for the other year 13 students this was going to be their last, so it was exciting and at the same time sad. Day 1: Wow! What a scorcher that day was. It started with a Powhiri (Welcome). After powhiri we were put into groups; Kowhai, Kikorangi and Kakariki. This was so the duties (cooking, activities and cleaning) would be shared equally. When the formals finished it was time to play and have fun. The majority of the whanau went to Mathesons Bay for a swim. I observed the year nines (as this was their first trip too) and it was laughter all around having lots of fun, it was a great atmosphere. After dinner, everyone was eagerly awaiting the night’s schedule. The activities were prepared by our Tuakana; Shaunee, Tegan and Haylee. How lucky were we, they prepared a fashion show and a whakaari (skit). The skit was based on the Teachers at Northcote College. Two students (1 girl and 1 boy) from each group were dressed up, but the roles were switched, i.e. boy-lady and girl-man teacher, the teachers would have been proud, haha. Each group had only 15 minutes to come up and prepare their act. It was a great way to end the night after an awesome day, it was enjoyed by all, not to mention a great team building activity. Day 2: What a shocker; waking up early to go to the fisheries, it wasn’t what everyone had in mind; it was just too early for most because they knew it was going to be a BIG day. But; we soon got over it; the tour was interesting and at the same time disgusting, the smell was foul. The day went on with more fun and games which took us to lunch time. After lunch was the extreme challenge. The challenge took place in Whangateau, even with the rain. The different groups were chanting their victory, practicing being winners but due to a few minor stress points, the challenge ended in a tie. Everybody walked away happy. Some returned to the Marae and began preparing work for our last night together. This was special as we had to make a taonga for our secret friend (whom we got given at the start of camp) out of resources found around the Marae, i.e. wood, shells, seaweed, etc. At the end of dinner we came together and sat around in a circle. Each person had to say one nice thing about their secret friend before presenting the taonga to them. I was amazed at this whole activity it showed another side of everyone, the thought and creativity that every person put in was overwhelming. Final Day: Poroporoaki; our stay has come to an end. It was time to pull out the cameras and capture the good times we had, and moments to remember. We left the marae and travelled to the river. Some whanau were fortunate enough to kayak down the river all the way to Wenderholm Beach (which took over an hour), where the rest of us were awaiting their arrival, boy; were they tired; but buzzed. We finished our day with a big Hakari before returning home. I would like this moment to thank Whaea Viki, Matua Mark and Stan for taking the time to organise this trip, giving us the opportunity to come together as a whanau. There was so much more than fun and games, this trip incorporated Tikanga, Whakawhanaungatanga, how to respect not only each other but our Environment and the list goes on, so thank you. I would especially like to thank all of you; the students, without you this trip would not have been the same. Ngā mihi nunui ki a koutou katoa. I feel privileged and am very grateful to be a member of Te whanau o Te Kakano.