WHAEA Bubs Morgan and Nanny Muiora Barry with the big birthday cake, together with ngā tamariki.
IN 1983, a dedicated group established kaupapa Māori education in Piopio for the community’s youngest tamariki.
Today, the kōhanga reo is thriving. It has become a taonga tuku iho, a treasure passed down through the years.
There, generations of tamariki from birth to five have been nurtured in the Māori language and tikanga, often in the arms of their nannies, mums and aunties.
The occasion was acknowledged on November 23, 2023 at Mōkau Kohunui marae and at the kōhanga beside it.
After a pōwhiri, there was a ceremonial tree planting, whaikōrero and a party which was “all about the tamariki,” chairperson Whaea Ramona Waho said.
Treats included a bouncy castle, candyfloss, a waterslide and face painting, plus a hākari for the adults.
Around 100 guests included some of the first Piopio kōhanga babies, now turning 40.
“It was a beautiful occasion, something worth celebrating. Given the change of government, it’s timely to have a good news story like this one,” Ramona said.
“Everyone that came enjoyed it – it was a chance to acknowledge all the whānau who have supported our kōhanga for many years.
Just before lunch, inside the whare tupuna, pakeke and kaumātua went “to have a look back in time” with a screening of a video made at the 1983 opening.
It was a bittersweet occasion, with kuia and kaumātua who are no longer with us today captured in the eye of the camera, bringing up emotions and memories for many.
Another highlight was the planting of a rākau kōwhai by kaumātua Haimona Muraahi, of Napinapi Pā, alongside two mokopuna: Iraia Manaaki Rhind and Anahera Winikerei.
This was a tribute to an original tree, planted at the building opening by the Māori Queen, Te Arikinui, Dame Te Atairangikaahu.
It had not survived, but the new version would make its own memories.
“The kōwhai will always remind us of Te Atairangikaahu,” Ramona said.
A second tree planted that day was a miro, placed further away because of its future size.
In 1983, the Piopio kōhanga reo started as a puna reo, and developed into the current full kōhanga.
Nationally, the kōhanga reo movement emerged as a community response to the deep concern among kaumātua and Māori generally over the declining number of te reo speakers and the survival of the Māori language.
After those humble beginnings four decades ago, in a room now used for storage, the kōhanga now has a thriving staff of paid kaiako and whānau helpers.
The current whare opened in 1993 – a historical milestone.
While many families were involved in setting up the kōhanga, a core group of supportive hapū included Ngāti Waiora, Ngāti Rahurahu, Ngāti Te Paemate and Ngāti Paretekawa.
Those visionaries had limited resources but were wealthy in other ways.
“They had nothing, but they had everything. The old people had so much knowledge of our reo and our tikanga, and they also had love and the ability to nurture”
The kōhanga’s history had its ups and downs. According to (then) parent Maia Muraahi, one of those challenges had been a shortage of kaiako in the 1990s.
Luckily, at that time, her husband, Maehe Muraahi, stepped in to teach, working alongside other committed whānau to keep the kōhanga going.
Ramona’s involvement started in 2003 while she was midway through a te reo Māori course.
“At that time, the kōhanga was in danger of closing. The whānau at the time were tired and unsupported. They were just keeping it going, and it nearly closed.
“I had a baby, and I was okay – I was on a benefit and studying. I knew I could either finish my course or go and support the kōhanga.
It was an “easy decision.”
“I felt the kōhanga needing to be saved, was more important than having the tohu [the symbol of finishing the course].
She was among a “fresh group of māmās” who thought, “let’s get our babies and revive kōhanga,” she said.
And they did it – soon, they had a roll of 20. They also paid off two loans, one for the building and the other for the kōhanga vehicle.
In the following years, the next lot of whānau came in – although Ramona said she would always be part of the kōhanga in one way or another.
“You’re involved because of the kaupapa and because you want it to succeed,” she said.
There had been many changes over the decades.
“We’ve survived for 40 years – and it was always going to be a challenge, as for any early childhood education body.”
“These days, it’s changed a lot; it used to be the nannies just teaching the tamariki in a very organic way. The biggest resource they had was themselves. Now, you’re running a small business.”
Compliance and other paperwork requirements had intensified: luckily, these days, the kōhanga has an “incredible admin team.”
“They are leaders in our community. They’ll do whatever it takes. They are so determined and have skills far beyond their official roles, and a rich knowledge of early childhood education,” Ramona said.
Today, the kōhanga whānau includes a number travelling from outside Piopio – from Ōtorohanga and Te Kūiti.
And as a group, they have built relationships with other childhood education groups such as Curious Keas (with whom they join for cross country and Matariki celebrations), Playcentre and Mainly Music.
“We all work positively together.”
Ramona’s dream for the next 40 years is to hear te reo Māori as a community language: inside, outside, on the streets and on the marae.
“We need to normalise it and take that brave step to be a thriving Māori speaking community.”
Some of the guests at the 40th birthday are already starting to make that a reality.
Rikihana Rhind brought his nine-month-old son, Iraia Manaaki Rhind, to the birthday. They are based in Te Kūiti, but he travels to Piopio so Iraia can spend time with someone special – his kuia, Whaea Herena Rhind, the senior kaiako.
“I sent him here because his nan was teaching here,” he said.
“Growing up, as a little one, my mum was my kōhanga teacher as well.”
Back then, Whaea Herena was teaching in Te Kūiti.
“Then she got mahi out here, and she’s still here. It was only right for me to send my son there.”
Te reo Māori is baby Iraia’s first language, as it was for Rikihana; the whole family kōrero Māori at home.
Whaea Herena has now been with the kōhanga for 11 years, watching enrolments and responsibilities increase.
Her favourite thing about working at the kōhanga?
“Hands down, the children. I love teaching te reo Māori me ona tikanga, so our tamariki have confidence when they get older and go to the school of their choice.”
She was thrilled to see many familiar faces at the 40th birthday celebration.
“All our whānau that are here, our past whānau, all our ex-workers, all our nannies, our ex-students … they have come together to make this day great for our tamariki.”
Ramona said there was an “overwhelming response from sponsors,” supporting the event.
