Orewa College marked the opening of its inaugural rumaki reo programme, Taipari, with a dawn blessing attended by more than 250 people, led by mana whenua and community leaders.

Taipari Rumaki Reo Programme Opened at Dawn Blessing

On Wednesday morning, we were privileged to gather at dawn with over 250 people to bless, celebrate and open the inaugural rumaki reo programme, Taipari. 

We extend our sincere thanks to our mana whenua, Ngāti Rango and Ngāti Manuhiri, for their leadership, mana and guidance throughout the morning. We were also honoured to have Ngāti Rango and Ngāti Whātua rangatira and Orewa College alumnus, Te Kurataiaho Kapea, help lead proceedings alongside Ngāti Manuhiri. Hearing him reflect on his time at Orewa College and Orewa Primary School made the occasion even more special.

As people arrived, so too did the rising tide, a powerful symbol of new beginnings, which is centred around the naming of the programme, Taipari. The space was filled with warmth, aroha and mātauranga, reflecting the collective support for this kaupapa.

As Principal Wiri Warriner shared in his kōrero“He titiro ki muri, kōkiri whakamua. We look back in order to thrust forward. We are blessed to have this amazing kaupapa established for our school, community, tamariki and whānau. It is especially exciting that our first-year enrolments have exceeded expectations at both Year 7 and Year 8."Ngā mihi nui to everyone who stood with us to mark this important milestone. 

Taipari is a collective aspiration, one that will serve our tamariki and mokopuna for generations to come.