OOHC Youth Culture Program

0-10 Years

The translation of the words Kohanga Reo is ‘language nest’. This translation relates directly to one of the key objectives of the Kohanga Reo movement – the retention of the Maori language. 

Kohanga Reo totally immerses children in Maori language and culture in an effort to promote learning within a context/situation that is relevant to the children and which draws on Maori styles of learning and teaching.

10-18 years This program encourages Rangatahi to participate, express and showcase their Polynesian heritage through Kapa Haka, Maori Culture, History & Contemporary Maori Arts.

Program includes but is not Limited to...

• Learn Popular traditional Maori action songs and dances.
• Dancing with the ‘Poi’. (These are soft white balls on long string)
• Tī rākau (Maori Stick Games)
• Haka
• Learn how to Powhiri – “Maori Welcome”
• Learn about their Pepeha ( Where they are from) Children create a Keepsake framed Pepeha to take home.
• Story telling- Hearing stories of how the earth was created, the first women, and our connection to the land, to the sea and the environment.
• Learn about New Zealand & Maori History
• Maori Language, Through Flash cards, Songs, and Game based learning
• Marea and Powhiri protocols and customs
• Learn about the Treaty of Waitangi
• Tapu and Mana
• Learning about the creation stories, ngā Atua [Gods] and our place in society as kaitiaki [Guardians] of the land.

Ability to Achieve specialising only in teaching Maori Culture, but we respect and embrace all beliefs, cultures, and religions.

Ability to Achieve acknowledge the traditional owners of the land in which we work and we pay respect to their Elders, past and present.