Discover the story behind Takapū and Kuaka, the names of Life Education Auckland West's mobile classrooms, and the whakataukī that inspired them.
Visitors to our classrooms may have noticed that our two mobile classrooms are named Takapū and Kuaka.
The names were inspired by a whakataukī generously shared by Te Kawerau ā Maki:
Ko te manu e kai ana i te miro nōnā te ngahere, ko te manu e kai ana i te mātauranga nōnā te ao.
"The forest belongs to the bird who feasts on the miro berry; the world belongs to the bird who feasts on knowledge."
Drawing on the themes of this whakataukī, our classrooms were named after two native birds whose unique qualities reflect the learning journeys we hope to inspire in tamariki.
Takapū encourages tamariki to dive into learning with curiosity, teamwork and confidence. Like the gannet, it represents courage, focus and a willingness to embrace new opportunities.
Kuaka encourages tamariki to embrace challenges with resilience, perseverance and the courage to navigate life's journeys. Inspired by the remarkable migration of the kuaka, it reflects determination, endurance and growth.
Together, Takapū and Kuaka reflect the strengths we nurture in tamariki as they learn about health, wellbeing, resilience and positive choices alongside Harold.
We are grateful to Te Kawerau ā Maki for sharing the whakataukī that inspired these names and their connection to learning.
