Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Keedin's speech for the Year 7 Speech Competition

Ko Maungarei Te Maunga
Ko Tamaki Te awa
Ko Ruapotaka Te Marae
Ko Tamaki Te waahi,
Te Kura Takawaenga o Tamaki toku Kura
Ko Mr Horan Te Tumuaki
Ko Mrs Parker Tofa Te Kaiako
Ko Laurence taku matua
Ko Larissia taku whaea
Ko Keedin taku ingoa

Kia ora and greetings to you all

I would like to ask who are Maori and as a matter of interest what is culture? Well culture is different languages and beliefs in different religions and ways of behaviour. Cultures like English, Tongan or Samoan have different languages and different religions although some of these are shared. Maori are people who came from Hawaiki and came to Aotearoa on different waka. These waka are really important in identifying tribes.

Maori have been living here in Aotearoa for over a thousand years and are doing their best to keep their language and spiritual culture alive. Maori is an official language, so that helps to keep it alive.

There are many Maori icons in New Zealand like Tiki, the Haka, greenstone or pounamu a Taonga. Icons are brands that are special to Aotearoa. They make New Zealand famous and make our country different to any other country in the world.

There are many things to experience all over New Zealand. There many famous towns like Rotorua with its boiling hot pools, the Sky Tower in Auckland city, The Beehive, in Wellington, and Mt Cook our highest mountain.

Maori performance costumes are unique but they have changed a lot in modern times. However the patterns on their costumes identify which tribe they’re from. My tribes or iwi are Ngati Pikiao, in the Waikato area, and Te Arawa which is in the Rotorua area.

When Maori people perform they perform with pride and they might use pois and long carved sticks to perform and some Maori might wear greenstone or head bands.
Aotearoa is a Maori and English land because in 1840 there was a treaty with the British and Maori. The British wanted to own New Zealand but only parts of New Zealand was sold to them.

Aotearoa for me is a great experience and exciting life. I am Maori and I’m proud of it.

Kua mutu nga korero
Mo tenei wa
Ko Te tumanako te rangimarie
Kia koutou katoa

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Manuia le Aso Sa o Tina


Dear Mrs Baker

My name is Irasa and I am writing to you about my generous, loving and mature mum. Well first of all my mum’s name is Helen. She is 37 years old and she has seven children including me. I am writing this letter because I really want to win this special prize to give to my mum.

My lovely mum is special and very loveable. She makes me laugh all the time. She works at a factory selling clothes and only works for half the year.

When she stays home, she is makes us breakfast and ensures all of us are fine. When we are sick she makes sure we get better and whenever we are upset she tries and makes us happy.

My mum is caring and a bit crazy sometimes. She always has a lovely smile on her face. She cares about my dad so much and I think that is why they have been together for a long time.

Ever since I was little my mum would come back from work and just clean without resting. She will then ask each of us about how our day was.
If I was given one wish, I would wish to go back to when I was little and watch my mum looking after us.

This is all I have to say about my mum and I hope I will be able to win the prize for my mum

Yours sincerely

Happy Mother's Day


Dear Mrs Baker

My name is Tamika and I am in Room 3. I am writing to let you know about a wonderful lady in my life who I know would really appreciate the prize you have for this competition.

My nana is a lovely and beautiful nana and she has great hospitality. She looks after five grand children including me. She makes sure that all of us are always clean, healthy and well mannered. She always makes sure I have fun, always makes sure I have lunch for school and pushes me to get a good education.
My nana has been looking after me for ten years. She would definitely appreciate a mother’s day gift.

When I was little, my nana took my sister, brother and I to live with her. She always thinks about our family and puts us as her first priority. My nana is one of the most special people in my life and I love her very much.

My nana is only 63 years old and enjoys having my brother, sister and I with her every step of the way. She now has guardianship of my siblings and I and always gives us what we want. She always makes sure we have fun and she has a great sense of humour.

I love my nana so much and I know she loves me as much as I love her. I hope you enjoyed reading about my lovely nana.