We would like to warmly welcome back all the familiar faces of our families/Whanau and their tamariki along with several new families and children - Nau mai haere mai.
We began our first morning with a Mihi Whakatau, a traditional Maori ceremony to formally acknowledge and welcome Rachel as a manuhiri (a visitor) into our Kindergarten as our new teacher for the year.
Kim was our Kaiārihi (our leader/guide) and opened the event with a short mihi and waiata (a song). It was then the turn of Rachel as the manuhiri to respond with her mihi. This was finished with waiata from everyone, as Rachel was brought over with the help of some children, and delivered safely into our Kindergarten family. To complete the Mihi Whakatau kai was offered to all our guests.
Rachel is long-term relieving for Zair who is on maternity leave looking after her new gorgeous baby girl.