He Pī Ka Rere ki Waitākere
Kua tau he manu pī rere ki tona ukaipo
The welcome home story of He Pī Ka Rere
Like the kōrero suggests, He Pī Ka Rere is making its way back to its early beginnings with Sport Waitākere. The latest component of the initiative will see the Healthy Families Waitākere team integrate the initiative into mainstream Early Childhood Centres across West Auckland.
Born from a collaboration between Sport Waitākere, He Oranga Poutama and Te Hotu Manawa Māori (now known as Toi Tangata), He Pī Ka Rere draws on the imagery of a fledgling bird preparing for flight. When the bird is ready to fly it stretches out its wings, faces the wind and launches into the air – He Pī Ka Rere!
The kaupapa Māori initiative is designed to equip tamariki (children) with the skills and knowledge to learn lifelong healthy habits and behaviours by applying traditional techniques used by tūpuna (ancestors) for generations. Healthy Families Waitākere Rautaki Māori (Māori Strategist), Darrio Penetito-Hemara, explains.
“He Pī Ka Rere nurtures and develops the whole being of a tamaiti (child), building the skills, abilities and awareness needed to sustain a lifelong relationship with kori (movement) and kai (nutrition). The initiative shares direct links with Atua Māori and the realms in which they reside, bringing Te Ao Māori into classrooms and early learning environments.”
The initiative will be managed by Kaiwhakahaere (coordinator), Tiraroa Hetaraka, former head boy and recent graduate from Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Hoani Waititi. Tiraroa brings a wealth of mātauranga (knowledge, wisdom, and understanding) to carry this kaupapa and enable it to flourish in West Auckland.
The activities within the He Pī Ka Rere are modified to cater to tamariki of all ages and abilities, whilst utilising the natural environment as much as possible. It’s a learning activity not only for tamariki, but also kaiako (teachers) and whānau whanui (wider family), to broaden skillsets and understanding of Te Reo Māori.
The initiative requires minimal equipment, focussing on moving the tinana (body) and learning the importance of health and wellbeing.
Tiraroa will be supporting West Auckland mainstream Early Childhood Centres with He Pī Ka Rere from term one 2021.
