On Thursday 22 nd of January, thoroughly energised by our three days in Long Bay, the Learning coaches, Strategic Leadership team and members of the board had the opportunity to meet with cultural consultants from the East Auckland area to discuss our powhiri on the 3rd of February. These lovely people led us through details about protocol for our first day of school and how to welcome our new learners and families in a respectful and poignant way into the exciting new space / building on Haleanthus road. We were also led in practising a rousing Haka and waiata as part of the powhiri ceremony and Margaret Patrick led us in learning sign language to accompany some of the waiata. We can’t wait for the opening day to arrive when Nga Thai iwi will lead us in our pohiri.

By Luisa Maloni