Witnessing history at the Koroneihana

I tēnei wāhanga, i haere tētahi rōpū ākonga Māori nō Te Kāreti o Avondale ki Ngāruawāhia, ki te whakanui i te Koroneihana ā-tau. I tū te hui nui ki Tūrangawaewae Marae, ā, he wā nui mō ngā ākonga ki te rongo i ngā tikanga o te Kīngitanga, pēnei i te kapa haka, ngā pōwhiri me ngā wānanga. He huarahi whai kiko tēnei hei whakapakari i te tuakiri ahurea, hei hono atu ki ērā atu rangatahi, ā, hei ako anō mō te hītori me te mana nui o te Kīngitanga i Aotearoa. I tū rangatira ā mātou ākonga i raro i te ingoa o te kura, ā, i hoki mai rātou me te ngākau hihiri ki te haere tonu i tō rātou haerenga i roto i Te Ao Māori.

Earlier this term, a group of Avondale College Māori students travelled to Ngāruawāhia to take part in the annual Koroneihana celebrations. The event, held at Tūrangawaewae Marae, was a chance for our students to experience the rich traditions of Kingitanga, including kapa haka, pōwhiri, and wānanga. It was a valuable opportunity to strengthen cultural identity, connect with other rangatahi, and learn more about the history and importance of the King Movement in Aotearoa.

Our students represented the kura with pride and mana, returning inspired and motivated to continue their journey in Te Ao Māori.

"I really liked the experience, and it was really nice to see so many Māori people in one place for one kaupapa," says Jericho Hohaia (Year 9). "That was my first time learning about the Koroneihana and going, next time I want to go on the days of the hakari and the concerts."

Kassius Mann, also Year 9, shares "I enjoyed seeing the Kuini and her hoa rangatira. I really felt her mauri. She looked great in the red chairs close to the wharenui. I wished we could have stayed and watched the kōrero longer."