Te Kōhanga Reo: Creating space for tamariki and Te Reo to thrive
In Aranui, Christchurch, a group of kaimahi (staff), kaiako (teachers) and whānau (families) have been working together on a special project at their local Māori immersion early learning centre or Kōhanga Reo (Language Nest).
Designed to bring Te Ao Māori (the Māori world) to life for preschoolers and strengthen connections to their whakapapa, renovations to the playground at Te Kōhanga Reo o Te Kotahitanga Ki Waitaha have seen the space reimagined to become much more than just an environment for the 24 enrolled tamariki to learn Te Reo.
Staff and families have collaborated to create a bespoke, safe playground representing important elements of Te Ao Māori, including marae, waka, and awa.
Nicole Keogh is a Māmā as well as Kaiāwhina-a-rohe at Te Kōhanga Reo National Trust. She led the project through to completion, working with Canterbury-based business Nature Flow to design and plan the papa tākaro (playground).
“Te Kōhanga Reo is a total immersion Te Reo Māori daycare centre, for our babies from birth up to six years old,” says Nicole.
“As soon as you step in the door, our babies are immersed in Te Reo Māori from 9am to 3pm.”
Nicole adds there are more than 460 Kōhanga Reo across the country, and over 8500 tamariki currently enrolled.
“The inspiration (for Te Kōhanga Reo o Te Kotahitanga Ki Waitaha) came from - mostly the kaimahi - wanting to have a whakapapa throughout the papa tākaro so our babies could go out, do their whakapapa and be able to see the marae, the awa, the waka, and feel confident in themselves and where they come from.”
Nicole says having a space like this is important for developing social skills, motor skills, and ensuring tamariki have more options to explore the outdoors without limitations. She says the various design elements add to the learning experience for tamariki as it helps them to be able to visualise, while they are also engaged through hands-on learning such as māra kai (gardening).
The process began with whānau consultation and tamariki building a ‘dream board’ with images of what they wanted to see in the papa tākaro.
Tanya Mielnik is Head Kaiako and says although it was a long journey to renovate the space, the response from whānau has been overwhelmingly positive.
“Our whānau wanted a better outdoor space for our babies to thrive in,” says Tanya.
“Feedback from whānau has been amazing. This is what they’ve wanted, and new whānau coming in are just amazed at how it looks.”
Rātā Foundation has supported Te Kōhanga Reo National Trust through the South Island funder’s ‘Learn’ priority area. The funding supports building projects at the centres, including upgrading and maintaining playground equipment.
“All tamariki deserve the best start in life, and having access to culturally-responsive early-learning education is a big part of that,” says Rātā Chief Executive Leighton Evans.
“Kōhanga Reo helps to set tamariki up for a successful transition to the school environment, and contributes to the revitalisation of Te Reo Māori, supporting future generations to thrive.”