On Monday most of the Homai Campus staff, and students including Kick Start and James Cook went to the blessing of the new school. It was very exciting because everyone walked through and got to feel its brand new walls.
We started off by walking through the reception which was joined right through to the library and classrooms. We looked around the main school for a while and it was time for us to make our way to the residential areas. We made our way to the Hostel and Assessment area which is now called Whare Nikau, this means that parents and their children will be all combined. I thought it was comfortable in there because of the under floor heating and heats above. The lounge was huge and their kitchen area had a brand new fridge, new dishwasher etc.
Then it was time for the mihi, one by one the kaumatua stood and said their speeches. This part was interesting because they mostly used the words Ka tangi te titi and Ka tangi te kaka.
When it was over, we all had breakfast. It was yum. When everyone was eating I stood and gave my speech.
I was very encouraged by this because I felt that the Spirit of God and my Mother was standing beside me, whispering words to me. Firstly I acknowledged God, the Māori king and my mother. Everyone said “Kia ora”, when I said I was from Samoa. A kaumātua stood and mihi to me, this made me feel welcomed into the Māori presence. I didn’t understand what he said but Hone later explained it to me.
When my mihi was over some of the Kaumātua and Kuia came and congratulated me for a wonderful speech.
I had a very good time because everyone especially Jane our Principal, (Tumuaki), gave me positive comments and this will help in the future. I also look forward to speaking at the opening on February 2012.
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