Te Puna Reo o Whitianga is a not-for-profit community group which provides a playgroup that embraces te reo Māori and te ao Māori (Maaori language and world views). Te Puna Reo o Whitianga provides an opportunity for whānau and tamariki/children to meet on a regular basis in an environment based on tikanga Māori. Our kaupapa is centred on fostering tamariki to learn, play and grow and for whānaungatanga (relationships) between parents and whanau that prioritises te reo Māori, tikanga Māori and te ao Māori.

This is a whānau run playgroup that relies on the support of our community to provide resources and opportunities for our tamariki to learn, play and grow. Our goal is to raise money through this fundraiser in September so that we can upgrade our facility by adding a deck to increase our space for our playgroup that is growing in numbers. The tamariki of our community will benefit from your support by having a fit-for-purpose and child-friendly space.

This fundraiser in September is a community event including an afternoon market, raffles and entertainment followed by a music event with The Harmonic Resonators, a popular NZ music group who primarily sing Māori waiata. This event will celebrate Te Wiki o te Reo Māori (Māori language week) and our second birthday as the only bilingual playgroup in Whitianga. We hope to encourage our community to support the flourishment and development of te reo Māori and have a go at using te reo Māori.

Markets: 12pm to 4pm (gold coin koha for entry - no ticket required)

Craft Stalls, Kai, Kapa Haka, Waiata, Raffles

* Te Puna Reo `o Whitianga mums & bubs will do an opening karakia and some waiata

* Homai Te Pakipaki winner Richard Shelford-Woodcock singing performance

* Mercury Bay Area School students performing waiata

* Year 5/6 kapa haka ropu performing kapa haka

* Yummy kai available to buy - boil up, fry bread and steamed pudding

* Poihakena Portraits doing cultural-styled photos at Bess Kingi's house (book via their Facebook page)

The Harmonic Resonators:

7pm (doors open at 6pm and there will be a local opening act TBC)

Tickets: $25 Earlybird rate for first 50 tickets then $30

Also available to purchase from Mercury Bay Pharmacy

Door Sales: $35

Kaua he whakamā ki te korerō Māori,

Akahoa he iti, he tāonga.

Don’t be shy to speak Māori

No matter how little, treasure it.