Marae Opening
E tipu e rea I nga ra o tou Ao
Tou ringaringa ki te rakau o te pakeha
Hei Oranga mo to tinana
Tou ngakau ki nga taonga o tu puna
Hei tikitiki mo to mahunga
Tou wairua ki te atua
Nana nga mea katoa I hanga
Grow up tender one in the day of your world
Put your hand to the skill of the pakeha
They you might find sustenance for your body,
Extend your heart to the treasure of your ancestors
As an adornment for your head.
Commit your spirit to god for He is the creator of all things
Children at Kelston Deaf Education Center welcomed their teachers and their friends into a very special classroom on December 8th 1992. The classroom had been turned into a Marae.
It's opening marked the inclusion of Maori language and culture into the education of the Deaf for the first time in New Zealand.
Students and Maori Deaf adults spent four months transforming the classroom with murals, carvings andTane Mahuta tree.
Blair Te Rito directed the carvings created by former students. A sea mural features on one wall, depicting Tangaroa.
Many dedicated adult volunteers worked late into the night to create a venue that many would appreciate in a school for Deaf.
The Marae is called 'Ruamoko' - Ru a Moko means "Unborn child" and the "God of Earthquakes".
As so much of Maori culture is orally based, Deaf children have frequently missed learning the skill and protocols which would make them comfortable on a Marae. Many cannot ask questions of their Elders because their Elders do not know sign language.
The Ruamoko Marae has given students the opportunity to learn Marae protocol, art, crafts and culture.
The day's proceeding began with a blessing of the Marae by Deacons Judith Cooper and Kate Warren.
Staff and students kapa haka call powhiri for the opening of the Ruamoko Marae on Friday 8th December 1992.
History on Time Line 1992.................................................2000........................................................2009
1992
* Appiontment of Carl Ross as Maori Tutor
* 50th Jubilee Powhiri.
* New building complete with carving,Tukutuku and
Kowhaiwhai panels.
* Opening of Ruamoko blessed by Kate Warren amd Judith Cooper.
1993
* Appointment of Michael Wi as assistant Maori tutor
* Nga Moemoe a te Rangatahi-3 from Transition students.
* First Maori culture Day. Students and staff from all over Auckland -
the base school,Deaf units and mainstream all come over to Kelston.
* First National Hui for Maori Deaf on Orakei Marae,Auckland.
Carl Ross, Michael Wi and Ivan Tamepo - Deaf Kaumatua sand whaikorero.
1994
* Carvings put up in school hall. The carving are the work of Michael Wi assisted by
Joseph Su'a and Ivan Tamepo.
* Nga Moemoe a te Rangatahi.
* KTI students sleep over in Ruamoko Marae.
* Powhiri for The Australian Theatre of the Deaf.
* Carl Ross performed in Te Waka Huia at the closing ceremony of the commonwealth Games.
* Maori culture Day and Moa Day
1995
* KDEC High school students sleep over in Marae
* Maori and Pacific Island cultural Festival at Mt Roskill Grammar, KDEC High students BBQ.
* Powhiri for South Africa and New Zealand Deaf Rugby Teams. Whaikorero by students
John Wearea.
* Deaf Festival powhiri by KDEC High School.
* Poroporoaki ( Farewell ) Carl Ross.
* Appointment of Sandra Wooster.
1996
* Powhiri for Totara Village Family Day.
* Nga moemoe a te Rangatahi.
* Te Whanau Turi O Aotearoa sleep week end on Ruamoko to prepare for
18 World Congress.
* Kawe mate - Carl Ross's father.
1997
* Powhiri -Totara Village.
* Poroporoaki Sandra Wooster
* Appointment of Katrina Colman.
* Te Rapu Matauranga students sleep over in Marae
* National Maori Councillor Hui in Marae
* Maori Day Hangi.
1998
* Powhiri - Totara Village.
* Powhiri for ACE (Auckland College of Education)Teacher of the Deaf students.
*
1999
* Visit from Overseas Deaf- Powhiri:
England
Fiji
USA
Wales
Sweden
Germany
Australia
* Carol Rawhiti and Patrick Thompson attends World Federation of the Deaf in Brisbane.
* Michael Wi attends the World Indigenous People conference in Hilo, Hawai'i.
* Kawe mate- Carol Rawhiti's father
2000
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