Roskill South Kindergarten commemorates its 50th anniversary with a pou project – the construction of a meaningfully carved stand-alone pillar, marking an important moment and place, followed by a community-wide celebration.
As part of Ngā Tamariki Puāwai o Tāmaki - Auckland Kindergarten Association, Roskill South Kindergarten has provided 50 years of high-quality early childhood education, bringing whānau and community together.
To celebrate, the kindergarten led a collaborative, mana-enhancing project in partnership with Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei to represent its legacy and to continue strengthening community relationships and engagement.
The kindergarten received $4,000 from Puketāpapa Local Board to help fund workshop facilitation, Māori liaison and story transcription.
Puketāpapa Local Board Chair Ella Kumar is pleased to contribute to the huge milestone and the exciting project.
“We are humbled to support Roskill South Kindergarten, being a pillar of its own at the centre of our community through nurturing our future generations and bringing everyone together,” says Chair Kumar.
Roskill South Kindergarten Head Teacher Karen Ramsey is grateful for the board’s contribution.
“We want to thank Puketāpapa Local Board for supporting our vision to create a pou as part of our 50-year celebration at Roskill South Kindergarten. Their financial support for our project has been instrumental in bringing this special taonga to life, one that will positively impact the lives of ākonga (students) for years to come.”
In 2019, Roskill South Kindergarten participated in a community project, led by Ngā Herenga Waka – a movement that brings together cultures in Puketāpapa, and were involved in the creation of Te Pou O Rongo (The Anchor of Peace).
Inspired by this involvement, the kindergarten coordinated a journey to create its own taonga (treasure) marking the significant milestone with its community and how people and their stories of past and present have come together over the past 50 years.
The project brought together enthusiastic community groups Mad Ave and Roskill Together to connect and collaborate with Roskill South Kindergarten on the pou’s design over workshops and hard mahi.
“Our community celebration in November was a magical event when our Pou Te Ōhāki was unveiled and blessed. The wairua (spirit) flowed throughout the day, creating a special feeling as the community came together to celebrate, reconnect and share memories with new and old friends,” says Ramsey.
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Roskill South Kindergarten's newly constructed pou celebrating its 50th anniversary
