Wednesday 29 March 2017

Taonga - Where I came from

For our inquiry into Taonga we described where we came from. Read Charlotte and Sativa's fantastic descriptions of where they came from.

Where I Came From by Charlotte


Taonga is a treasure or prized item in Maori culture. These can be possessions such as medals, furniture, recipes and trophies. They can also be people, beliefs, customs and traditions passed down through the generations. Often taonga can have an influence on who we are today.

My Great great grandad migrated from the UK to New Zealand and my Great great Grandma came from the Pacific islands to New Zealand. My Great great Grandad and Great great grandma decided to migrate to New Zealand so that they could start a new life and decided to get married and have children.

One of my family taonga is my Great Grandad on my Mum’s side’s medals. Early Last year My Great Grandad was given the French Legion of Honor medal. He was born in London and at the age of 18 he was called up for service in the royal navy. After attending a radio college, he was assigned to HMS Apollo, a minelaying cruiser, in early 1944. The minelayer attended the D-Day landings. The ship was towed back to Britain for repairs after running aground, before carrying out further operations in Norway and Russia. He then moved to New Zealand in 1947 and returned to his job as an assistant in a chemical laboratory.

My Great Grandad’s medals are a taonga  to me because it influences me to be a hard worker and make sure to get the job done properly. As a result of my hard work I can receive good feedback. Like how my Great Grandad worked hard in the war and the result of that is he got his medals. In the future I think my taonga will shape me to be a better person and persevere if I have a hard time with something because I will remember how my Great Grandad fought in the war.

Where I came from by Sativa


Taonga is a treasure or prized item in Maori culture. These can be possessions such as medals, furniture, recipes and trophies. They can also be people, beliefs, customs and traditions passed down through the generations. Often taonga can have an influence on who we are today.

My family originates in Aotearoa. The iwi that I come from is Te Rarawa. Te Rarawa is a Māori iwi of Northland, New Zealand. The iwi is one of the six Muriwhenua iwi of the far north of the North Island. In my Whanau we have 5 generations but have 4 alive. My great- nana has over 22 grand-children and my mum is the eldest. My mum is only is 26. Me and my brother are the start of the 4th generation.

My speaking Te Reo is a taonga to me and my whanau. In my family my Mum, Dad, Nana, Great-nana, Great-papa, Great great nana, Great great papa and  Auntys and Uncle’s all speak Maori. Speaking Maori is special to me because it is our culture and it shows people who we are! I believe that it doesn't  matter if you are good or bad at speaking Maori what matters is that you tried. Everyday at school I greet my teacher in Maori.

In the future I will teach my whanau how to speak Maori and tell the legends and myths to them. For example: Maui and the sun, Tane and the stars and the Taniwha. Something else I would do is teach them all the songs, dances and things I have learnt from my Great nana and nana. I really hope they pass them down to their children!

1 comment:

  1. Great Job Charlotte and Sativa!
    I liked the way you guys described your Taonga in detail, how it is related to you and what would happen in the future.
    Tino Pai!

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