On Monday 30 October, after many months of fundraising, and design work by the children, a large covered object waited ready to be received by the tamariki and community of Glendowie Kindergarten. Steve McKay, the amazing builder who has been working with the children via email and Skype, drove down from Mangawhai with the precious taonga. With the help of the tamariki and their whānau, we pulled it up the path to rest on the courtyard.

Debbie Upham, Education and Sustainability Specialist at AKA, was present to say a karakia and acknowledge and address the deep sense of wairua in the air. Debbie told us, “There was a hush of quiet anticipation; the waka waited ready to represent the story of Glendowie’s place. It is the result of much aroha and dedication by the teaching team and learning community.”

The children sang some waiata and then we were ready for the big moment! Once the waka was revealed everyone wanted to touch it and sense the aroha that had gone into every plank and knot. Even the kaiako were keen to try out the waka; we took turns sitting in it and voyaging the waters of the awa Tamaki.

We had a lovely shared morning tea with a range of people from the community who have been involved including, Steve, and of course all our wonderful whānau, kaiako and tamariki.

This has been a huge journey for Glendowie Community and we look forward to learning more about the history of our rohe so we can complete the waka with some whakairo (carving) to represent this. Our waka will stand here for many more generations of tamariki to come.