Mokopuna Reo

Mokopuna Reo is a Māori pre-school group who meet fortnightly at Arowhenua Marae. The group was formed because parents in the area wanted a kaupapa Māori environment for younger tamariki. Mokopuna Reo is an opportunity for the pre-schoolers to engage and connect with Te Ao Māori. At their fortnightly sessions the tamariki learn karakia, waiata and their pepeha. At each session there is also a theme, which is based around learning the stories of our tīpuna and the history of the whenua.

Early this year Mokopuna Reo visited the rock art centre. After ngā kai reka at Caroline Bay, some went for a kaukau (swim) in the moana and then ended the day with some kēmu (games) see photos below.
We were also privileged to be part of the welcoming of Governor General Sir Jerry Mateparae.

Mokopuna Reo is now on Facebook. This will help to get information through to Mokopuna Reo whānau and connect us with other organisations such as Kotahi Mano Kāika, Te Ana Rock Art Centre and Ngāi Tahu. We are always looking for more tamariki, so if you know anyone please contact us:

Bianca – 021 411 471 or Donna – 027 254 4202
You can also message us on Facebook – Mokopuna Reo o Arowhenua.

We are meeting on 4 and 18 April, get in touch if you are interested.

Marae-based food health and safety training

Ten members of Te Rūnanga o Arowhenua now have their NZQA certificate in Food Safety Training. Congratulations to Eddie Marshall, Tai Benson, Lavinia Reihana-Moemate, Brett and Kalinia Te Rahui-Harris, Jamahl Kingi, Rita Heke, Sandra Hamstead, Gwen Bower and Richard Hopkinson.

The initiative, funded by Healthy Eating Healthy Action, provided the opportunity for Arowhenua ringawera (kitchen helpers), to gain the minimum food safety qualification needed to work in a commercial kitchen. The training was facilitated by Rangimarie Bassett.

The training was intense but all participants agreed it was well worth the time and effort. Special thanks to Rangimarie, our trainer, who made our learning a friendly, stress free experience.

If any ringawera are interested in this training, please contact the marae office, 03 615 9646,
before 30 March.

Arowhenua Whānau Services

Arowhenua Whānau Services is a Māori health provider offering a marae-based health clinic. We are providing Ngāi Tahu whānau with informative wānanga (health seminars) on different health topics. The next two topics are alzheimer’s and dementia, and wāhine health. To accommodate the interesting speakers we have split the wānanga into two hui, to be held on the following dates:

Dementia and Alzheimer’s
Part one: Tuesday 26 March 6-9pm
Part two: Tuesday 16 April 6-9pm.

Wāhine health
Part one: Thursday 11 April 6-9pm
Part two: Tuesday 14 May 6-9pm (focusing on women and menopause).

These hui will be held at Arowhenua Marae, Huirapa Road, Temuka. Everyone is invited to come along. For more information and to register your interest (for catering purposes) please contact 03 615 5180.