Using our Natural Resources
In the past few weeks (when the weather has allowed) Te Kinga students have been exploring the traditional uses and properties of Harakeke. When we harvested the Harakeke we learnt and observed the tikanga of taking the older fronds and not the centre three, so as to keep the plant healthy. 
Luckily for us there are some large healthy plants growing around the water's edge. Once we had finished cutting we returned to class to strip the frond back with a kūtai (mussel) shell to expose the muka (fibre) hidden within. 
Next we plaited (as best as we could) simple lines and rope to use as fishing lines. This process took us half a day!
As soon as we could we went down to the lake to test our lines (we tied the bait to our lines). Although we didn't catch anything, small fish and water animals went after our bait. We had many ideas about how we could improve out lines and fishing strategies in the future. We also learnt by our experience how skilled, knowledgeable and resourceful early Māori must have been as hunters and gatherers.
Using natural resources, learning and testing historical local practices, and being able to be ‘out there doing it’ together… such great learning experiences!
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