In the last week of school holidays the Fusion Dance Crew came together for the first fusion wānanga for the year. Twenty-five tamariki spent the week together, along with kaiako Chantal and Miriama, and kaimahi Nelly and Hamiria.
We had the pleasure of inviting the Department of Conservation (DOC) to Te Tari o Arahura. DOC representatives Glen Newton and Deb Hogan talked to the tamariki about the endangered whio and how they are protected. They also showed the tamariki some of the traps they use to trap stoats and other pests. Arahura Kōhanga Reo also joined and everyone enjoyed the presentation.
Just minutes later we heard the chopper arriving with the beautiful whio. It was a great experience for our tamariki. DOC representatives, Glen and Deb, along with the Anderson Helicopter Crew did a fantastic job and we’re very thankful to them for giving our tamariki such a fun-filled morning.
For the final day, we let the tamariki decide what they wanted to do, and instead of their performance day held at Te Tari o Arahura, they decided they wanted to go showcase what they learnt to the general public of Hokitika.
This saw performances of kapa haka and hip hop on Hokitika Beachfront, in front of our Waewae Pounamu toa.
A bird’s-eye view of the Arahura River.
The whio arriving by helicopter.
One of the DOC representatives shows a whio to tamariki.
The Fusion crew performing on the Hokitika beachfront.