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Kohi to koha

It might be the first time Te Kura Taumata O Panguru is participating in Mental Health Awareness Week (MHAW), but wellbeing is ingrained in the culture of the kura/school.

Tauira/students and kaiako/teachers at the North Hokianga kura have joined forces to plan their first MHAW activities, which are aligned with Te Whare Tapa Whā and the Five Ways to Wellbeing.

“We do everything collectively here. An activity we’ve planned together is a daily waiata,” says Principal Mina Pomare-Peita. “We’ll take a break at morning tea, stand up and sing a waiata each day together.”

Other MHAW activities include taonga tākaro and other traditional Māori games which Mina says are being revived at the kura.

“We’ll also make special emphasis on providing services for students who might want extra support throughout the week,” she says.

Mina has been the principal of Te Kura Taumata O Panguru for 19 years. All 104 of her students are of Māori descent.

Outside of MHAW, Te Kura Taumata O Panguru has a unique way of looking after the wellbeing of their tauira – by regularly volunteering for Department of Conservation (DOC).

“I explain to my students that volunteering is “kohi to koha”. That means we gather and collect to give to the world or the kaupapa unconditionally and without expecting anything in return,” says Mina.

Reengaging with the whenua for positive wellbeing

Volunteering is her way to help boost the wellbeing of rangatahi by reengaging them with the whenua, helping them to understand the concept of giving back and seeing more of Aotearoa. 

“Encouraging them to volunteer and reengage with the whenua gives them a sense of connection and helps them learn more than I think any science class can.”

Reconnecting rangatahi with the whenua is Mina’s passion. She feels Māori have lost their connection with the whenua over time through colonization, having a huge impact on their wellbeing.

“We talk about Tangaroa, Papatūānuku and Ranginui all the time – but to connect with them, we have to do more than talk about them. We have to be with them.

“Helping rangatahi to do this will help them understand what we mean when we say we whakapapa to the whenua.”

Other benefits of volunteering

Mina says volunteering is also about whakawhanaungatanga, showing tauira that there are people and adults they can trust.

“I want our students to trust and open up to us. I want them to feel safe, not vulnerable.”

In the July school holidays this year, Mina and seven Te Kura Taumata O Panguru tauira aged 10–16 volunteered at DOC's Operation Tidy Fox on the West Coast of the South Island.

The journey to get there took two days and 1,300km. For many, it was their first trip to the South Island.

"They got to explore more of Aotearoa, see snow-capped mountains and go on the Interislander. It’s all about showing them there is air to breathe and land to look at, while doing their bit for the planet," says Mina.

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