Kia ora and welcome to this issue of the Living Heritage newsletter.
Four schools have recently participated in the New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO Pacific Islands' Living Heritage Pilot in the Cook Islands. The schools are Titahi Bay North and Rangikura in New Zealand and Apii Te Uki Ou and Mitiaro High School in the Cook Islands. All schools were supported throughout the researching of their stories by way of email, phone, and in-school assistance.
“UNESCO recognises that living or intangible heritage provides people with a sense of identity and continuity. Helping young people to learn from their past is a key way to help prepare them for the future.”
Apii Te Uki Ou held a story launch at their school on Friday 21 May. About 20 parents, Board of Trustees, and Sharyn Paio, the Secretary for Education attended. The launch was also featured on local television that evening.
On Thursday 27 May, the students and teachers from Titahi Bay North School and Rangikura School launched their stories at Porirua Library. They shared their stories alongside the Cook Island stories which allowed them to see the whole New Zealand UNESCO Pacific project and how they were part of it. Darcy Nicholas, the general manager of community services at Pataka spoke to the students about the importance of telling their heritage and presented them with their Living Heritage certificates.
As part of LIANZA’s Library Week, Thursday 19 August, 2010 will see public and school libraries working together to host Living Heritage Day celebrations that will showcase completed websites, plan for future projects and may feature local speakers. Make contact with your local library and collaborate with them to showcase your schools past and current Living Heritage projects.
Check out, Ko Hongoeka te Marae our profiled Living Heritage story written in te reo Māori. A small group of students from Hongoeka Bay researched the history, and general aspects of their marae during te reo Māori and tikanga classes.
On Publish your story you can find additional technical information and access to the School Library Launch Kit.
It’s exciting to know that there are so many new stories being researched and developed this term. We are looking forward to seeing them live soon. If you would like any help at any stage in your projects, please contact us. Go to Participate on the Living Heritage website for information and how to register.
Best wishes
The Living Heritage team.
Erris Thomson
Barbara Baker
Curriculum Facilitators
Living Heritage
livingheritage@cwa.co.nz