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Ngā Taonga Tākaro with Harko Brown

Springlands School hall was a hub of energy last Tuesday evening. With almost 40 teachers from ECE through to secondary school attending a nga taonga tākaro workshop with Harko Brown. Harko Brown is known for his expertise in traditional Māori games.

Intro from Ramona

This workshop had teachers up and moving about, shaking off the winter chill. However, the workshop was more than just physical activity. It was woven together with pūrākau, te reo Māori, tikanga, and connection to the environment.

To get everyone energised and socialised, the workshop started with a round of matamatarongo. This game had kaiako hugging as they passed a stick to each other under their chin as a form of icebreaker. As the evening progressed further games were played to support resilience, confidence, team work and relationhip building. Honga encouraged collaboration and has been known as a tool for conflict resolution. While the introduction of the tokotuia (woven tui) took on the role of mihi.

Would love to implement this at our kindy as we have been learning lots about emotions and feelings along with being friendly and unfriendly. I think the Manu will certainly help.

We just loved the tokutuia idea as a tool at group hui.

Snake games were also played drawing on the historical knowledge that sea snakes once lived in New Zealand waters before it got too cold for them. But then the game that really got teachers energised was one that gets played during the harvesting of kumara. It would encourage the younger generations to be involved with the harvesting process as it created competition, excitement and fun. It involved flicking the small produce at each other with a stick.

Harko encouraged kaiako to adapt the games and get creative, ensuring that they met the needs and ability of the tamariki. He encouraged the use of natural resources, using plants such as harakeke, supplejack and te kouka.

Kaiako left feeling inspired, and grateful for such a fun evening. We look forward to hearing about these games being played in kura and ECE centres across Marlborough.

I was absolutely buzzing by the end of the night and a bit tired.

Thank you for last evening, it was great.

Mihi nui Toimata Foundation for supporting to fund this workshop, which was made possible through their partnership with Ministry for the Environment.