Our Place
These special parts of our school are inspired by our cultural narrative and relationship with local iwi, Ngāti Wairere.
Pāwaha "Te Au O Waikato"
At the main entrance to our school you will find a large structure called a Pāwaha. This pāwaha shares the deep narrative of our school and our special connection with Ngāti Wairere.
Please follow the link below for the deeper story of all the elements of our pāwaha.
A Pāwaha (Pā = marae / waha = mouth) is to speak of the stories of that marae. Our pāwaha is based on the concept of a waka pou maumahara, an old practice of decommissioning a waka (canoe) and standing it upright in memory of a person or event.The Pāwaha provides the gateway in and out of the school, and where hospitality begins. When you pass through this gateway you are moving from a state of Te Pō (darkness, unknowing) into Te Ao Mārama (enlightenment and understanding).
Waharoa "Tūrangawaewae"
The waharoa (gateway) depicts the origin of our school name “Te Ao Mārama” - the world of light and understanding.
Te Ao Mārama was created when Tāne Mahuta (Māori god of the forest and birds) separated his Sky Father Ranginui and Earth Mother Papatūānuku to create a world of light and life.
The waharoa also includes the 9 stars of Matariki, and mokomoko (lizard) which are considered kaitiaki (guardians) by Ngāti Wairere.
Some of the design work also relates to our school whakatauki (proverb) Whiria te tāngata (Weave the people together).
At the main entrance to our school, you will find this beautiful mural.
The image is a depiction of our school name "Te Ao Mārama", which is a Māori concept relating to wisdom and understanding, and the natural world of life and light.
The mural was completed in 2023 by artists Charles and Janine Williams.
Ki te whaiao, ki Te Ao Mārama
Tihei mauri ora
The breath, the energy of life
To the dawnlight, to the world of light
Entry Mural
Our school name derives from the Māori legend in which Tāne (The Māori God of the forest and birds) separated his Sky Father Ranginui and Earth Mother Papatūānuku to allow light to enter the world. This was known as ‘Te Ao Mārama’, which literally means the world of light and understanding.
The mural represents Papatūānuku (Earth mother) to the left, and Ranginui (Sky Father) to the right. The entry space between the murals is significant, and represents the entry point at which students embark on, and own, their educational journey.
The mural was designed by Te Aukaha Haupai Rawiri Puke (Grandson of Hare Puke {the neighbouring reserve is named after him} and descendant of local iwi Ngāti Wairere)
Pepeha
These incorporate our pepeha (form of introduction that helps to establish identity, heritage & connection to our place)
This is the pepeha of the school (students also learn their own pepeha)
Ko Taupiri te maunga - Taupiri is our mountain
Ko Waikato te awa - Waikato is our river
Ko Tainui te waka - Tainui is our waka
Ko Waikato te iwi - Waikato is our local Māori tribe
Ko Ngāti Wairere te hapū - Ngāti Wairere is our local sub-tribe
Ko Hukanui ko Tauhei nga marae - Hukanui & Tauhei are our marae
Ngāti Wairere carry the obligation as kaitiakitanga (guardianship) for the wider community, inclusive of all cultures and backgrounds.
School Map
