Nga Kaitiaki a Papatuanuku

There have been a lot of changes since our last blog at the end of March. Our amazing Garden club was moved to make way for new classrooms. This is so exciting for our school but I felt a bit sad thinking of all the teachers, volunteers and students who over the 10+ years passed through this garden area, took kai home and learned how to grow their own food.

But at the same time this is a chance for new beginnings. We now have our new space down at the bottom of the field where the next generation of students, volunteers and teachers will earn how to grow their own food and enjoy the natural environment around them.

I asked Kopukairoa to give us a new name that would represent our new surroundings, and I’m proud to say we are now called Nga Kaitiaki a Papatuanuku. This is a special name which we will treasure.

Now the hard work begins. The tamariki have been busy layering up the garden beds with compost and soil, ready to plant. It’s hard work and the tamariki have been going back to class very tired but we are all happy to be planting some kai so that we can make a yummy soup or roast vegetables this winter.