July 02, 2018
Marae kura a lifestyle choice
The next generation of cultural practitioners for the three Kurahaupo iwi of Te Tauihu are now enrolled at the first bilingual kura kaupapa Māori in Marlborough.
Te Pā Wānanga opened last month at Te Ōmaka Marae in near Blenheim.
Marae manager Kiley Nepia says it will start in term four as a satellite unit of Renwick School, but the intention is it will eventually stand alone.
The kura started with 20 children, but the roll is expected to be up to 60 within the next year.
"That’s 60 families so that's not 60 individual kids so what we are saying to families is when we enrol your baby on to this kaupapa we're enrolling the family and if the family isn't willing to implement these things into its lifestyle, because it is a lifestyle choice, then this kaupapa probably isn't the best for them," Mr Nepia says.
While most of those who want to attend Te Pā Wānanga are from Ngāti Apa ki te Ra Tō, Ngāti Kuia and Rangitāne ō Wairau, there are also other whānau interested in giving their children a bilingual and bicultural education.
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