Friday, 19 February 2010
EASTERN Bay schoolchildren now have a new tool to help them learn te reo Maori.
Ngati Awa has published a new book which recounts some of the iwi’s legends as part of Ko Ngati Awa Te Toki, the collective iwi vision for 2050.
Entitled Nga Purakau o Ngati Awa (Stories of Ngati Awa) and written in te reo, the book features five of the most popular legends, complete with colour illustrations.
Development Ngati Awa manager Leonie Simpson said the book would promote Ngati Awa language among children and young people.
Written by Tamati Waaka (Ngati Pukeko) and edited by accomplished writer and respected iwi elder Onehou Phillis (Te Warahoe), the book includes an audio CD that allows children to listen to the stories while reading them.
It is the latest in a number of initiatives related to Ko Ngati Awa Te Toki, including the construction of a dedicated website - www.ngatiawa.com - and a 15-minute DVD film explaining the vision for 2050 in the context of the iwi’s past and present.
The retention of tikanga (customs) and reo (language) has been identified as a key component of Ngati Awa’s vision.
Ms Simpson said the distribution of the book into every Ngati Awa home was key to the revitalisation and retention of Ngati Awa reo and tikanga.
“We have our own stories, our own voice, our own history, and we want to share those stories with our rangatahi and tamariki.
“It’s important to the survival of our iwi that we all understand our history, know our language and can identify our origins.”
Produced by Auckland-based multi-media company 3P Media as a sequel to the first Nga Purakau o Ngati Awa series, the books are being distributed to primary schools throughout the Whakatane district - starting with Paroa School.
“The audio book is another interesting element that makes the stories more accessible and easier to follow, particularly for younger children,” 3P Media project co-ordinator Lee Timutimu (Ngai Taiwhakaea) said.
The Nga Purakau o Ngati Awa initiative was funded by Ma Te Reo, a Te Taura Whiri I Te Reo Maori administered programme to support projects that contribute to local level Maori language regeneration.
The launch of Ngati Awa’s vision for 2050 - Ko Ngati Awa Te Toki - will culminate with a concert in the grounds of Wairaka Marae on March 6.
And top Sydney-based hip-hop crew TheKumpnee were yesterday confirmed as one of the acts for the concert - founder member Ronnie Lavender affiliates to the iwi’s Te Patuwai hapu.
They will join a lineup of musicians, dancers and kapa haka performers for an afternoon of entertainment and celebration.