On Wednesday 22 of March the Rangi team (Y6s) got to go to the Manurewa Marae. As visitors for half of the day.
When we got there the sun was shining but it was still freezing cold. as we waited outside everyone was excited to explore the Marae. Heaps of kids had not been to a Marae before like me.
When the gates of the Marae opened everyone couldn’t wait. We were greeted Matua Te-kou and he told us how things were going to work. Then not too long after we all heard a lady start calling. I wondered what it was so I tried pushing up front to see but everyone was slow walking so I wasn’t able to see everyone behind me was still trying to push up.
When we were inside it was warm because there were some heaters. When we sat down some kids sat on chairs. When things got sorted out an old man blessed our day with a karakia then they started to sing He Honore. We joined in and I could tell they were a bit surprised. When we finished the waiata Papa reg did a speech in Te Reo Maori. After his speech he placed down an envelope and we all sang Nga whakamoimiti. After the waiata, Matua Te-Kou said “let the kids be kids”. When we got up a couple boys ran straight outside and I laughed because I figured they were not listening. When Matua said “stay inside”. I ran around for a little but then Matua shouted out to go around to the pou and remember their names.
When we sat Matua Te-Kou said that it was eating time so we got our bags but he took us somewhere else and we sat and ate it was connected to the wharaenui. While eating Matua Te-kou started talking about the History of the marae.