Pūrākau brought to life through movement and learning

“It’s that whole process of rauoratanga, bringing our stories back for our people and our community, to create an environment where our identity can thrive and contribute to our community.” – Rūnanga Chief Executive

In the Rangitīkei District, pūrākau (myths, legends or stories) are being shared with ākonga through movement-based learning. Supported by the Healthy Active Learning team, kaiako work alongside iwi to learn local stories and bring them to life through physical activity.

By weaving pūrākau into movement and games, learning feels playful and engaging while strengthening te reo Māori use in the classroom. The approach has also deepened relationships between the school and local iwi, giving greater purpose to incorporating te ao Māori across learning. Ākonga say they enjoy learning through movement and feel more connected to their culture and place – “It doesn’t feel like learning, it just feels like playing.”