MANA
Unlocking the Power of Mana:
How YOU Can KEEP ShinING Bright & being kind!
Mana is the inherent dignity, strength, and spiritual power carried within YOU from the moment YOU enter the world. It is inherited from ancestors, but it is also nurtured through actions, choices, and relationships. Mana isn't about power over others; it’s about standing tall in who YOU are while honouring the dignity of those around you.
When you, the tamariki learn to nourish your own mana and uplift the mana of others, you build resilience, empathy, and strong character. You do this by putting four core values into action every day: Manaakitanga, Angitū, Ngākaunui, and Aroha.
1. Manaakitanga: Uplifting Others
Manaakitanga comes from two words: mana (prestige/worth) and aki (to encourage or uplift). Literally, it means to boost the standing of others through care, generosity, and respect.
What tamariki show through Manaakitanga:
Inclusivity: Making sure no one gets left out on the playground or at the lunch table.
Hospitality: Welcoming guests, new students, or visitors with a warm smile and a helpful attitude.
Care for Space: Looking after the classroom, home, and environment (kaitiakitanga) so everyone feels valued in their shared space.
When a child lifts someone else up, their own mana naturally grows.
2. Angitū: Striving for Excellence
Angitū represents success, achievement, and overcoming challenges. It isn't just about winning or getting top marks; it is about setting personal goals and having the courage to pursue them.
What tamariki show through Angitū:
Perseverance: Sticking with a difficult task—whether reading a hard book, mastering a sport, or solving a tricky math problem—even when it feels tough.
Pride in Progress: Celebrating their own small wins and honoring the progress of their peers.
Growth Mindset: Seeing mistakes not as failures, but as essential steps on the path to mastery.
When YOU strive for angitū, YOU realise that success is a journey built on effort and continuous learning.
3. Ngākaunui: Showing Up with Wholehearted Passion
Ngākau means heart, and nui means big or great. Ngākaunui is about doing things with enthusiasm, eagerness, and full commitment. It is the spark that transforms a simple task into something meaningful.
What YOU show through Ngākaunui:
Eagerness to Learn: Diving into new activities, asking questions, and bringing genuine curiosity to the classroom.
Positive Energy: Bringing a warm, energetic spirit to group activities, sports teams, and family duties.
Commitment: Finishing what they start and putting true effort into every activity, big or small.
When YOU approach life with ngākaunui, your passion becomes infectious, inspiring everyone around YOU.
4. Aroha: Living with Compassion and Empathy
Aroha is often translated as love, but it encompasses deep empathy, care, compassion, and emotional connection. It is the foundation that holds a community together.
What YOU show through Aroha:
Empathy in Action: Listening attentively when a classmate is sad, offering a helping hand, or giving a kind word without expecting anything in return.
Gentle Communication: Speaking with kindness, resolving conflicts peacefully, and choosing understanding over anger.
Self-Compassion: Treating yourselves gently when things don't go as planned, knowing your worth is unconditional.
When you, our tamariki weave manaakitanga, angitū, ngākaunui, and aroha into your daily lives, YOU don't just succeed academically or socially—YOU step into your full potential as confident, compassionate leaders. By lifting others, pursuing excellence, leading with heart, and acting with love, your mana shines bright for everyone to see.