Makaraka School releasing on Pukehāpopo

Pukehāpopo was named by Paikea himself because of its stark similarity to the maunga of the same name in his homeland of Hawaiki, the summit where he took refuge from the wrath of his teina (younger brother) Ruatapu in the aftermath of the sea battle at Te Huripureiata. Paikea also gave the name to this spectacular seascape — Whāngārā-mai-tawhiti (Whāngārā from-afar) — because of its striking resemblance to the place where he once lived.

At a recent Makaraka School Camp, the students returned to Whāngārā Marae where they ‘released’ the same seedlings they had collected from the ngahere on Whāngārā Farms in 2022 and 2023. The seedlings were planted, germinated and raised at the Womens Native Garden Nursery in Stout Street. The students then planted the trees in 2024.

For the students and teachers to see the full cycle of seed collection, raising, planting and releasing is a very fulfilling and rewarding experience. Alongside the students and the Makaraka School community, Whāngārā Farms are excited to see the journey of the plants growing bigger and flourishing on Pukehāpopo in the years to come – an incredible addition to the journey and whakapapa of this great maunga.

Whāngārā Farms thanks you, tamariki mā!