Kāwai Kōrero
VPS cultural narrative
Pepeha
Ko Maungatapu te maunga
Ko Maitahi te awa
Ko Aorere te moana
Ko Whakatū te marae
Ko Ngāti Koata, Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Ngāti Rārua
Ko Ngāti Kuia, Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō, Rangitāne
Ko Te Ātiawa, Ngāti Tama
ngā iwi mana whenua
Ko Wikitoria te kura
Toitū te mana o Te Wairepo
Maungatapu is our mountain. Flowing from Maungatapu is our river, Maitahi. Our river flows to our sea, Aorere. Whakatū is our marae. Our iwi mana whenua are Ngāti Koata, Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Ngāti Rārua, Ngāti Kuia, Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō, Rangitane, Te Ātiawa and Ngāti Tama. We are Victory Primary School. Let us sustain the mana of our awa Te Wairepo.
Our cultural narrative mural
Led by Abbe Amohanga
Unveiling our cultural narrative mural
Our cultural narrative recognises the historical relationship between our rohe and its mana whenua. It describes what is unique about our area and the people our kura is a part of. It reflects our shared understandings of our heritage, traditions, spiritual connections, and values. It tells the story of who we are at Victory and our connection to Maungatapu, our mountain; Maitahi, our river; Te Aorere, our ocean; and Te Wairepo, our place.
Where we belong.
Maungatapu connects us to our whenua and contributes to our sense of belonging. Our maunga reflects our journey through our kura and life.
Our maunga and the hills beneath it embrace us and remind us to stand tall, understand each other and gather together in strength. Our maunga brings us the resilience of Onewa (basalt) and the versatility of Kirikiritatangi (singing gravel). Our maunga provides a home and protection to unique creatures that live among the maunga of this area.
Whāia te iti kahurangi ki te tuohū koe me he maunga teitei (Seek the treasure you value most dearly: if you bow your head, let it be to a lofty mountain). This whakataukī encourages us to set ourselves high standards, to show perseverance and not give up.
Maitahi is our ancestral awa (river). It provides resources and supports life for our whenua (land) and tangata (people). We are kaitiaki (guardians) of Maitahi. It flows from Maungatapu, into Te Aorere where it meets Te Wairepo. It is a migration route for many different life forms that support our ecosystems in Whakatū/Nelson.
Te Aorere, meaning to flow out to the world, is the gateway to Whakatū. It represents the interconnected relationship between Maungatapu, Te Wairepo and Maitahi.
Te Aorere was an abundant food source for local iwi further connecting the people.
As kaitiaki of Te Tai-o Aorere, we have a responsibility to learn about the significance of our waterways and educate ourselves as to how to preserve and maintain them for the betterment of future generations.
The distinctive Boulder Bank, Te Taero a Kereopa, is seen as protecting Te Aorere.
Ngā Mana Kākano o te Wairepo draws its name from the body of water that once flowed through the repo sustaining the many life forms that flourished here as it made its way towards Te Aorere. The name reminds us that the kākano, our tamariki, have their own mana that is to be acknowledged and nurtured. It also reminds us that our mātauranga is firmly grounded in the steps our tūpuna walked and the models they left for us.
Like Te Wairepo stream flows through the repo, out into Te Aorere and beyond to the open sea, we prepare ākonga for their full participation in the wider environment, beyond Victory Primary School and beyond Aotearoa in the pursuit of both collective and individual excellence, aims and dreams.
E ngā hau e whā. From all corners of the world, people have been settling in Whakatū via land, sea and air for many years. Migration has enabled every culture to bring with them their own stories, beliefs and values.
We celebrate the diversity of the journeys that have been undertaken to reach Victory Primary School. We recognise the role that they play and how it supports our understanding of the different heritage within our kura.
When we know the whakapapa of where we have come from, we can better understand where we are going.
This kōwhaiwhai represents and recognises the historical connections between this rohe and our 8 Mana Whenua iwi; Ngāti Kuia, Rangitāne, Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō, Ngāti Koata, Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Ngāti Rārua, Ngāti Tama and Te Ātiawa. There is importance in acknowledging these connections to our past, present and future. Our kura and hapori is committed to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the bicultural heritage of Aotearoa.
Each culture has its own unique textile pattern or design that tells a story of cultures and identity. However, like the muka flax cloth, clothing is used to provide comfort and protection. Patterns and colours that have been used in these designs have significant importance for the various cultures. We celebrate our diversity and connections and acknowledge the shared notion that clothing provides comfort and protection for all. Homelands inspire the colours used to connect to the natural environment and resources
We celebrate our Pasifika communities at Victory Primary School.
There are connections between Māori and Pasifika within iwi and hapu of the Whakatū area. This has contributed to our evolving diversity over time encompassing a variety of languages, arts, customs, values and perspectives.
Our interwoven identities, languages and culture strengthen and enrich our community.
At Victory Primary School we embrace our diversity, identities, languages and cultures and have pride in where we have come from, where we are now and where we are going. We value and seek partnerships with the voices of whānau and community. Everyone's voice is unique and equal.
Our cultural narrative visual
Developed by Maia Hegglun
VPS Visual pepeha.mp4