June 29, 2018
Battle call used for reo playpark
The head of Te Tatau ō Te Arawa says Rotorua’s first bilingual playground is just the first of a number of te reo Māori zones in the suphur city.
Taikata was opened this morning with a dawn service at the Government Gardens.
Te Taru White says the playground was inspired by the rich history of the land it sits on and promotes te reo Māori using signage as well as digital games and stories.
It was named after the call to Te Arawa forces by Te Rorootērangi at the start of the battle of Tāwharakurupeti on the lakeside spot, Ruia Taitea Ruia Taitea kia tū ko taikākā ko āhau anake – Shake off the sapwood and the strong heartwood remains.
Bilingual signage for other playgrounds and reserves in Rotorua will gradually be implemented as or when improvements or upgrades happen.
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