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Stories That Ground Us: The Pūrākau and Waiata of Te Ōki
- Gabby
- Sep 9
- 3 min read
At Te Ōki Early Learning, we believe that stories and songs are powerful tools for connection, learning, and identity. They shape our days, our curriculum, and our sense of community. More than just entertainment, our pūrākau and waiata are treasured taonga that root our tamariki in the values, landmarks, language, and cultural narratives of Aotearoa—especially those local to our rohe.
Our Guiding Pūrākau
There are a handful of stories we return to again and again at Te Ōki—stories that hold special significance in our centre and serve as anchors for our localised curriculum. These include:
Rata and the Tree – a story of patience, reciprocity with nature, and learning to show respect before taking from the ngahere
The Legend of Waiwaia – reminding us of the sacredness of water and the way imbalance in nature affects emotional and environmental wellbeing
Tahi the Tūī and the River Journey – an adapted local tale about a curious tūī who describes how Te Awamutu got it's name
Uenuku and the Mist Maiden (Hinepūkohurangi) – a story of aroha, longing, and the deep connection between the natural and spiritual worlds.
Each of these pūrakau supports our tamariki to build knowledge of local histories and te ao māori, including important values such as kaitiakitanga, whakapapa, and manaakitanga. We often see these stories reflected in children's art, dramatic play, conversation, and even their outdoor discoveries—like finding mist on a frosty morning and wondering if Hinepūkohurangi is near.
Our Centre Song: E Mihi Nei
Our centre has its own waiata, called “E Mihi Nei”, which is based on our pepeha and sung as a way of celebrating people as they leave the service—whether it’s children heading off to school, or kaiako moving on. This waiata grounds us in our identity as a learning community and affirms the values we hold dear. It’s both a celebration and a farewell, woven with aroha.
The repeated singing of “E Mihi Nei” builds a strong shared culture. Tamariki know the actions, the melody, and the meaning. It becomes a ritual moment—something they carry with them as they transition beyond Te Ōki.
The Role of Whānau and Te Whāriki
We warmly invite our whānau to engage with our stories and songs. Whether you’re learning “E Mihi Nei” alongside your tamaiti, hearing them tell the story of Tahi the Tūī at home, or joining us for a celebration where these pūrakau are shared aloud—your presence and participation matter.
Our approach directly supports the aspirations and strands of Te Whāriki, especially the goals around Belonging (Mana Whenua), Communication (Mana Reo), and Contribution (Mana Tangata). It also upholds the bicultural commitments of Te Whāriki by ensuring Māori perspectives, narratives, and language are central to our programme—not just sprinkled on top.
As our philosophy states:
“We are intentional about embedding tikanga Māori in our daily rituals, celebrations and curriculum design, and about upholding the mana of our tangata whenua.”
Celebrating Culture Through Story and Song
At Te Ōki, we use pūrakau and waiata to:
Celebrate cultural identity
Uphold mana Māori and te ao Māori
Anchor our curriculum in our local histories and environment
Build tamariki confidence and belonging
Create joyful, shared rituals that nurture wairua
These taonga are central to who we are. Through them, we honour the past, strengthen the present, and prepare our tamariki to walk proudly into the future.
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