A morning visit to "Te Kohanga Reo Nga Kuaka", a language nest in Hamilton, is followed by
lunch at "The Station" on the Waikato Campus. We are welcomed by Tom Roa, Senior Lecturer in "Te Aka Reo" (Department of Māori Language) at Waikato University. Hine Kahukura Te Kanawa, Director of "Te Whakapiki i Te Reo Māori" (Māori language proficiency development) at Waikato University gives an impromptu presentation on the topic of Māori teaching proficiency training.
In the afternoon we pay a visit to the primary Māori immersion school "Toku Mapihi Maurea Kura Kaupapa Māori". We watch the children play sports and are invited by the Māori-medium specialist to browse through the literacy curriculum materials. The materials are kept in two rooms whose shelves are filled with teaching materials in the Māori language - the culmination of 30 years of intensive development work. We are deeply impressed by the effort and the fruit it has borne.
The day ends with a visit to the "Ngā Taiātea Wharekura" showcase and fundraiser. "Ngā Taiātea Wharekura" is a secondary Māori immersion school in Hamilton, headed by principal Watson Ohia. The ILI delegates are the guests of honor at this event and the performances are truly spectacular.
We can neither take pictures at the schools nor speak English on the premises, so we are limited to observing in silence.
Below: Lee Ann Muntz Sperling, Carol Henry and ???? in the staff offices of the "Kura Kaupapa" - even the "Exit" sign is in Māori.
A "Little Tikes" playstation with an IBM computer in the pre-school. And a copy of Disney's "Lilo and Stitch" in Māori.
Lunch at Waikato University. While we are listening to the speaker, Warren (front left) from the TWOA's IT department is doing the "Blackberry prayer" ...