Trident High School
Changing lives through tikanga Māori
Rise+Shine Josiah Mika Foundation
In 2019 at Trident High School in Whakatāne, there was a growing issue with truancy amongst their young Māori students.
Teacher Toko Waaka wanted to create new opportunities for these rangatahi, to re-engage them with their learning. With the support of the Rise+Shine Foundation, Toko was able to establish a Toi Whakairo programme within the school, teaching traditional Māori carving methods to students.
The programme started with sixteen students, who were regular absentees from school. Although starting out as weekly one-hour sessions, the kaupapa became so popular that students were returning daily to complete their whakairo mahi.
As Toko states, “Whakairo became the reason they came to school. But through their work they also improved their numeracy and literacy skills. This gave them confidence to go back to their other classes, which helped restore their relationships with their other teachers too.”
Whakairo classes are now offered as a full-year subject to years 9 to 13, with NCEA curriculum delivery in levels 1, 2 & 3.
“The programme also helps connects them to their history, their pepeha, to who they are. They’re able to portray themselves through their mahi whakairo. They develop a keenness to learn, an openness to new ideas and respect for others through whanaungatanga, manaakitanga and kaitiakitanga.”
In addition, the Rise+Shine Foundation also supported Trident High School Kapa Haka, who placed 2nd at the Maatatua Secondary School Regionals. This meant they had qualified for nationals for the first time in over 16 years.
“Our success in Kapa Haka has really raised the profile for our Māori students. It’s shown them they can achieve anything they want to.”
Julie Wharewera-Mika, on behalf of the Foundation:
“The Rise+Shine Josiah Mika Foundation recognize the vital wellbeing contribution of tikanga Māori through initiatives such as kapa haka and toi whakairo. We applaud the success of this kaupapa empowering rangatahi in Whakatāne to feel a sense of belonging, self-confidence and positive self-esteem, exuberating resilience”.