Learning about Mountains - Nga Maunga

Room 3 tamariki were very busy today creating their maunga using different shades of green card. They worked productively and I have to admit we have some very talented artist in room 3!!

At the beginning of the week tamariki in Room 3 were told the story Battle of the mountains. This story tells the traditional Maori myth of the battle between the mighty Tongariro Mountain and three smaller mountains Ruapehu, Tongariro and Ngaruhoe. The battle took place in the central North Island, each mountain trying to win the love of the beautiful female mountain Pihanga. The mountains were raging with volcanic lava and hurling rocks as weapons. When the battle ended the lovely Pihanga stood close by Tongariro's side.

Taranaki wild with anger and grief uplifted his roots from the ground and left the other mountains. Weeping, he plunged towards the setting sun, gouging out a deep wide trench. When he reached the sea he turned north and stumbled up the coast. As he slept that night the Pouakai Ranges snared and trapped Taranaki in the place he now rests. The next day a stream of clear water sprang from the side of Tongariro. It flowed down the deep path Taranaki had left on his journey to the coast to form the Whanganui River.

The tamariki enjoyed listening to the story and had many questions they wanted to ask too. They also wrote their own short recount of the story using very descriptive words.

When the children were asked about the different maunga in Mahia just about all the tamariki could name some of the maunga here - Maungakahia, Mokotahi, Te Ara o Paikea, Taupiri, Tairea, and Hikurangi. The tamariki are familiar with the names of these maunga as they are the names our house groups at school. Some tamariki identify with Puharareke as their maunga in their pepeha too.

Most of our tamariki at school have walked past or up Maungakahia situated around Nukutaurua. We sing waiata that includes the names of the maunga listed above too. Next steps are identifying where the maunga are situated in Mahia.

Culturally it is important for Maori to know and be able to share their whakapapa – to know one’s whakapapa is to know one’s identity. Our maunga is what anchors us here and with tamariki identifying their maunga (whether it be in Mahia or another location) they can relate to their whenua.

Room 3 tamariki always enjoy listening to stories and learning about the history of Mahia. They also get to enjoy creating art based on what they are learning and love singing waiata from around home.

So whanau ask your tamariki what they have been learning in class. I’m sure our room 3 tamariki will tell you all about it.