Culture Week and Culture Day

Last Friday, we held our annual Culture Day. Māori students set up a stall at lunchtime, this stall was a drinks game where students were given a playing card (with a number and suit) which they matched with a card which had the corresponding number in Te Reo, the girls won the drink sitting on top of the card (in Te Reo). At this stall we were also doing Moko Kauwae, the Moko Kauwae is important in the Māori culture as it an affirmation of our whānau, hapū, and iwi, and acknowledgement of our tūpuna that came before us. On the days leading up to Culture Day the Carmel College community embraced all different cultures which increased awareness throughout our school community. The Māori culture was also promoted within the school through the Kahoots played during House Assemblies and students were encouraged to speak Māori.

Whiria te tangata (Weave the people together) 

Dana Lamont, Year 12

Māori Self-Portrait 

The self-portrait, pictured above, by Maia Kora, Year 10 Art Student was inspired by contemporary artist, Sam Mitchell. The beautiful self-portrait artwork displays designs which are inspired from her Māori heritage.

The artwork displays influences of my Māori heritage, the bird motifs represent my middle name, Te Manu Iti which translates to ‘The Little Bird’ and the Ngāi Tūhoe logo under the left eye for my iwi. Iconic Japanese imagery such as Katsushika Hokusai’s Great Wave off Kanagawa has been used along my jawbone and the Totoro character from a Japanese animated fantasy film called My Neighbour Totoro on my chin. My self-portrait also includes a motif of a palette and paint.

Maia Kora, Year 10