Paikea Matariki Mangere Mountain Educational Visit And Hikoi
This term, both to support our ongoing inquiry topic Te Maunga/Volcanoes! and to coincide with Matariki 2024 (June 28), each of Paikea Year 3 / Year 4 classes travelled to Mangere Mountain Education Centre (once over the three days) to take part in a morning hikoi/walk up and around the maunga/volcano Te Pane o Mataoho/Mangere Mountain, to hear more about the maunga’s history from local wise kaumatua along with the geological history of the maunga/volcano and surrounding volcanic area.
After lunch there were educational workshops on Māori medicinal medicine and how to grow and harvest kumara using the geothermal/solar power in the volcanic scoria rock. Tawhirimatea, the Māori weather god, was kind and each trip day had clear sunny weather and stunning 360 degree views of Tāmaki Makaura/Auckland - along with all it’s other iconic volcanoes.
Our brilliant bus drivers, Tui and Moana, ensured we travelled safely there and back in style. St Heliers School Paikea students used their listening ears and curious minds along with their best manners and enthusiasm to make each of the trips truly educational and memorable for all.
