We have been focussing on writing poems. This is Maria's poem about her culture.

My Culture

My culture is Maori
You can see us, we are everywhere
My people, as beautiful as a golden sunset
My whanau, together as one
My language spread like a virus
Our ways as simple as white canvas
Our essence told in our art
Our lives are calm like a still lake
My people’s hearts are as strong as a lion
The hapu are united as one in our iwi
Our tupuna are with us
Our marae, welcoming like a hug
We are native to our land Aotearoa
We eat as a family
We sleep as a family
We live as a family
Our kapahaka is proud as mothers seeing her child take its first steps
Our waiata grabs you and embraces you
We are Wahine, Tane, Tamariki, Koro and Kuia
Our taonga, pounamu and carvings jump into your heart, soul and body
We have beautiful Tamariki
Our language, worldwide
Our kai, delicious
Our hearts, strong
Our minds, clever
Maori, forever


By Maria