He Toa Takitini

Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini kē

My strength is not that of an individual but that of the collective.

There is no name more fitting for this amazing group of students who were the first to enrol onto the programme He Toa Takitini. To be able to manaaki i te tangata, is a value that we as Māori hold dearly. To have the honour to teach aspects of manaakitanga was a privilege. 

This programme was a collective of 38 level 2 credits and 22 level 3 credits which encapsulated all aspects of manaaki i te tangata and the tikanga, protocols that aligned with these values. 

Over 7 weeks, a group of Māori students were invited to be a part of the programme learning various Māori cuisine i.e. fry bread, steam pudding, hāngi to name a few. At the end of the 7 weeks the students were required to prepare the dishes as a hākari (banquet) kai to a group of 20 people, prepare a whare kai and serve kai to their guests. 

Whānau and members of staff were invited. All those that attended were absolutely bedazzled by our students. Many commented on the flavours, presentation of their kai, the set up of the whare and the amazing service.

A huge mihi to Matua Te Tahi and Matua Kahura for their support in teaching our students the tikanga and protocols for preparing a hāngi. A big thank you to Anne Hagan and Benita de Kock for supporting us over the weeks. 

To my students, proud is an understatement. Kia kaha, kia maia, kia manawanui.