“Nāu te rourou nāku te rourou ka ora ai te iwi - with your food basket and my food basket, the people will thrive.”

Tikanga Māori describes customs and traditions. It could also be described as ‘the Māori way of doing things’. At Newlands College tikanga Māori is a significant focus for our learners - both staff and students. Our whānau group support our journey with tikanga Māori and we have a close relationship with Ngā Hau e whā o Papararangi (a gathering place for the community in Newlands). All students learn the haka and participate in pōwhiri. Our school song is a waiata about aroha and akoranga. 

Newlands College offers curriculum courses on Tikanga Māori & Māori Performing Arts at both Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3, as well as, Te Reo Māori. Our wharekura, Te Ao Marama provides the platform for all of our students, particularly those who identify as Māori to thrive. Students learn in a safe and supportive environment where identity, language and culture is fostered and enhanced. 

‘Kia kaha te reo Māori’ - Let’s make the Māori language strong

Newlands College provides a variety of opportunities for akoranga and mātauranga. We seek to:

• Create a positive environment for the use of Māori language and tikanga Māori throughout the school.
• Promote Māori language initiatives and events. Ahakoa he iti, ākona, kōrerohia (learn a little, use a little).
• Encourage teachers to use te reo Māori and tikanga Māori
• Encourage speakers of Māori to support others who are just starting out.
• Promote resources to make the te reo Māori language more accessible.

To do this our learners participate in the following:

• Pōwhiri (waiata and haka)
• Matariki
• Rā Haka
• Whakataetae Kapahaka-ā-rohe
• Kōmiti Māori
• Ngā manu kōrero

We strive to Akiaki I ngā rangatahi me ngā pouako ki te kōrero Māori kia whakamana hoki i te reo me ōna tikanga i ō rātou ao - encourage all students and teachers to learn and use te reo Māori and welcome Māori into their lives.