On the 10 August 2020, our community celebrated the unveiling of our Green Gold Enviro sign (that’s stands proudly on our kindergarten fence) and the unveiling of the waka whakairo (carvings) at Glendowie Kindergarten.

We became an Enviro school in 2011, Bronze 2012, Silver 2015 and Green Gold 2019.

Our Enviro-school journey was about having a vision to create a sustainable future for our community and weaving of Manaakitanga(Caring) and Whanaungatanga (Relationships) through our nine-year journey.

Our waka tells a story of our journey, it represents the past, present and future children and their families. The waka was built in October 2017 by Steve Mackay using ideas and drawings from our tamariki. Our carvings were carved by Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei – Lenny Phillips and Te Aroha Witika (August 2019) and blessed by Mana Whenua – Nick Hawke.

Our carvings Tauihu (bow) and the Taurapa (sternpost) represent Ranganui and Papatuanuku and their children. The colour- Red means Whakapapa – heritage, Black acknowledges our ancestors – calmness and peace and Orange is the sun and leads the way forward.

Tamati Patuwai shared his knowledge of the history and Maori Legends of the Glendowie/ Glen Innes area. Through his whakapapa and knowledge of the whenua, our teaching team gained an understanding of our turangawaewae. Our waka symbolizes the connections to the Tamaki river and our Maunga Taurere (Mt Taylor). We embrace it’s teachings through our kindergarten pepeha that the tamariki recite with aroha every day.

I would like to thank the teaching team, support staff, children, families and community for the aroha and support to make this happen.

Carolyn Wanden, Head Teacher