Hauraki Plains College and the Kowhaiwhai Project

At the end of last year I approached Matua Normie from Hauraki Plains College, inviting them to become a part of our Kowhaiwhai project.   The older art students were very happy and proud to be asked and set to work making us these amazing Kowhaiwhai Panels to help us celebrate our Maori heritage and tell the stories of the Maori people from this area.

The designs represent the binding of people to the incoming and outgoing tides, acknowledging our relationship with the land and sea and our common goal to protect and restore the mauri ( life force) of our ecosystems. They also tell the story of the hammerhead shark which is a symbol of strength and power which also links us to our local surrounding.

We were also so appreciative to be gifted the toanga of the carvings that have come together to create this beautiful addition to our Kindergarten.  Thank you so much to Matua Normie and the talented students for the gift of our Kowhaiwhai.