Poutokomanawa
Poutokomanawa is the central pole of a wharenui (meeting house). It is the heart of the wharenui, supporting the whole house and connecting earth and sky. It is a piece of art, representing ancestry and story. As a name for our collective, it signifies the aim we have for our mahi: to create a space for creativity, growth and learning that supports the heart of the child.
He Poutokomanawa
Tokona te rangi ki runga
Ko Papa ki raro
Ka tū a Tāne Whakapiripiri
Hei whare wānangananga
Hei whare auahatanga
Hei whare tautoko
i te manawa o te tamaiti
e whai ake nei
i tōna ao mārama.
Toi te kupu,
Toi te mana,
Toi te whenua;
Tēnei a toi e hanga whare nei
Tihe mouri ora!
Poutokomanawa
Poutokomanawa is a bicultural collaboration that supports Māori voice, leadership
and decision making in the growth and development of arts based pedagogy in New
Zealand schools. The work aims to acknowledge and support those working in Māori
immersion settings and to honour the expertise and pedagogical knowledge being
developed in these contexts. Our collective advocates for learning that is grounded in:
creativity, artistry, wellbeing, child-led exploration and play, the natural environment
and local place-based curriculum.
On this site you will find a range of resources and projects that have been created and led by our Poutokomanawa collective. We hope you enjoy exploring these and find some inspiration and material you can take into your teaching context.
Ngā mihi Makaira, Priya and Raiwri
