Māori Showcase

Every class selected a story, song or dance to present to our community.  Our class retold the story of "Ruru and the Giant Pouākai."

This is a tale of problem solving and working together in very challenging times. It is about a Giant Pouākai (Eagle) that would swoop down and grab hunters. The Māori people were scared and unable to hunt. Finally one warrior had a plan. They created a giant cage. Ruru ran out as bait for the bird. Then luckily he made it back into the cage. When Pouākai landed on the cage all the warriors inside grabbed at his feathers and attacked him. The warriors won and could once again return to the forest and rivers to hunt.

We made masks and used props made from harakeke (flax).