Tangata Whenua:

The Maori phrase 'Tangata Whenua' means "people of the land", from tangata, 'people' and whenua 'land' and is given to the first indigenous people to settle in New Zealand coming from Polynesia more than 1000 years ago.
Te Reo (the language of Maori) and cultural education is an important part of early Childhood Education as it is one of our two nationally recognised languages.

Iwi:

The City of Waitakere has two recognised iwi, Te Kawerau a Maki and Ngati Whatua. An iwi is a tribe or group of people with a common ancestor who can sometimes trace their ancestry to the original Maori settlers from Hawaiki. Each iwi can sub-divide into a number of hapu ("sub-tribes").
Iwi map resource [File size: 587 KB] http://www.takoa.co.nz/iwi_maps.htm

Maraes:

There are currently eight marae within Waitakere City. Two are community based, and others are located within schools. Most of the established marae are available to the community for use. Common uses of marae include tangi (funerals), meetings, family reunions, workshops etc. Your local marae is a great for your centre to organise a cultural visit and understand Maori protocols.

Hoani Waititi Marae Community Based Urban Marae
Postal: PO Box 20117 Glen Eden, Waitakere
Physical location: Situated on Parrs Park, Glen Eden
Key contact: Ngareta Renata 818-2323 hoaniwaititi@xtra.co.nz

Te Piringatahi o te Maungarongo Marae Community Based Urban Marae
Postal: Old Post Office Massey, cnr Triangle and Don Bucks Road, Massey
Physical location: Luckens Road, Massey, Waitakere
Key contact: Wiremu Hetaraka 8323612, 027 2511967

Kakariki Marae Green Bay High School Godley Road
Postal: PO Box 80002 Green Bay, Waitakere
Physical location: Godley Road, Green Bay, Waitakere
Key contact: Wihiria Mark, 09 238 1609

Kotuku Marae Rutherford High School
Postal: Kotuku Street, Te Atatu Peninsula, Waitakere
Physical location: Kotuku Street, Te Atatu Peninsula, Waitakere
Key contact: Te Kotuku Marae, 8343012

Auhia Kia Mohio Kia Rangatira Marae Kelston Girls High School
Postal: 1 Archibald Road, Kelston Box 15798 New Lynn Kelston, Waitakere
Physical location: 1 Archibald Road, Kelston, Waitakere
Key contact: Anne Basham, 827-9812

Mahanahana Marae Massey High School
Postal: 274 Don Buck Road Massey, Waitakere
Physical location: 274 Don Buck Road, Massey, Waitakere
Key contact: John Matthews 833-9029

Panuku Marae Henderson High School
Postal: Henderson Valley Road Henderson, Waitakere
Physical location: Henderson Valley Road Henderson, Waitakere
Key Contact: Robina Reader 838-6939

Ruamoko Marae Kelston Deaf Education Centre
Postal: Archibald Road, Kelston, Waitakere
Physical location: Archibald Road, Kelston, Waitakere
Key Contact: Michael Wi 827-9812

Rewiti Marae (Te Taou / Ngati Whatua)
Postal: P.O.Box 191, RD Waimauku
Physical location: State Highway Between Waimauku and Woodhill, Waimauku, Rodney
District.
Key Contact: Marae 09 411 8541

Te Reo Maori:

Go Tuatara: bilingual Maori/Eng books, posters, DVDs www.gotuatara.co.nz

Children's maori sonds: DVD made in childcare centres by early childhood educator   www.childrensmaorisongs.co.nz

E-learning language resource kaitiaki@kupu.maori.nz

ECE Bilingual Eng/Maori CDs of children’s songs:  www.ucamusic.com

Te Marae: A Guide to Customs & Protocols: Pat & Hiwi Tauroa, Reed Publications

Te Wheke: A Celebration of Infinite Wisdom by Rangimarie Rose Pere. Ao ako Global Learning NZ, Gisborne. Maori concepts such as aroha, mauri, mana.

Te Ao Maori: The Maori World (2007) bilingual book and DVD by Rapata Wiri, Reed Pub. The culture, arts, tour of meeting house - large, captivating photos.

The Marae by Warren Pohatu (2007) Reed pub. Children’s picture book.

Te Taura Whiri i te reo Maori Maori Language commission www.tetaurawhiri.govt.nz

Whanau Toko I Te Ora (WTITO) This is a parenting programme for Maori whanau delivered by the Maori Women’s Welfare League. To see if a local course is running in your area email here

1000 words every New Zealander should know Visit the New Zealand history online website: www.nzhistory.net.nz/culture/tereo-100words

The Treaty of Waitangi published by State Services Commision: history, timeline: download from www.treatyofwaitangi.govt.nz

Fun With Flax by Maurice Prendergrast, Reed Publications. For beginners: planting, protocols, things to make with flax from around the Pacific.

Te Tiriti o Waitangi:
Treaty Resource centre delivers treaty workshops and has reference collection & publications www.trc.org.nz

Policy & management:
Te Puni Kokeri Te Puni Kokiri means a group moving forward together, it is the Government's principal adviser on crown Maori relationships and guide Maori public policy. www.tpk.govt.nz