Haere ra, Hoani!

Our educator Hoani Eriwata, is leaving us the education team this week, to spend more time with his whanau.

Hoani has been with the Puke Ariki Education team for several years, and we've all enjoyed working with him - especially for his knowledge of te reo Maori and his interest in the environment and nature.

Hoani working with a group of students on our Term 2 Wild Foods programme.

We wish you all the very best Hoani, as you head off on your next adventure!

Toy Creation - Term 3, Puke Ariki

Our next e-newsletter will be emailed to teachers and schools later this week, but we wanted to let you know about our exciting Term 3 programme Toy Creation.

We've had a great time in the office preparing this lesson - playing with toys has been a great excuse to be kids again!

Toy Creation will look at how toys have been traditionally made and how they work. What makes them move? What mechanics do they use? Students will get the chance to make a simple toy and consider technology concepts such as balance and energy. They'll also look at traditional toys on display in the museum, many of which you might recognise from your own childhood!

Anyone visiting the office can't resist playing with the woodpecker toy...

Toy Creation promises to be a fun, hands-on programme that everyone will enjoy (trust us, we've had fun making it!)

Email us for more information or book your class visit online.

Kura Liaison Network meeting - Wednesday 13 June, 4.00pm

Teachers and educational professionals are invited to attend our next Kura Liaision Network (KLN) meeting, scheduled for Wednesday 13 June.

The KLN is a group of teachers who meet each term at Puke Ariki to discuss upcoming programmes, focus areas and school needs. We value your input in how to make our Puke Ariki education programmes appealing and relevant to local schools, and welcome new members. We also provide a very yummy afternoon tea!

The meeting will begin in the Noel and Melva Yarrow Education Room (just off the Foyer) at Puke Ariki at 4.00pm. Please contact us to learn more.

Wild Foods

Wild Foods has been our 'hot topic' this term, with schools from around Taranaki visiting us to learn about the variety of natural food sources on land and at sea.

Frankley School recently visited us for Wild Foods - we hope you enjoyed yourselves!

Wild Foods is available for the rest of Term 2, and we have good availability towards the end of term. Book your class online.

We love to get your feedback!

We recently received some delightful feedback from Room 12 at Spotswood Primary. Along with several other classes from Spotswood, Room 12 visited us for a fun Treasures of the Sea programme. 

We enjoyed having you at Puke Ariki, Room 12 - come back and see us again soon!

Titokowaru's Dilemma

A new exhibition opened at Puke Ariki this week: Titokowaru's Dilemma.

 

Titokowaru’s Dilemma shines light into the murky world of myth making. Marian Maguire’s beautiful lithographs and etchings explore Taranaki history, challenging simplistic readings of the past by taking Riwha Tītokowaru and placing him with the gods and philosophers of ancient Greece, showing him in debates that have a timeless significance. The prints are complemented by items from the Puke Ariki heritage collection which expose some fertile gaps in the accounts surrounding Tītokowaru and his enemies;  gaps in which colourful myths have sprouted. This exhibition asks ‘What is myth?’, ‘What is history?’and ‘Who decides?’

This is a self-guided programme, of particular interest to secondary school teachers of art, history and classical studies.

Pigskins and Grass Stains

There's a fun new programme available at Aotea Utanganui for our South Taranaki schools.

You might remember the Puke Ariki exhibition It's Not Just a Game: Whanāu, Whakapapa, Whutupaoro, which was so popular with schools and visitors during the 2011 Rugby World Cup. Now It's Not Just a Game is on show at Aotea Utanganui, and our educator Rob has developed a fantastic programme for schools in support of the exhibition.

Pigskins and Grass Stains will explore the history of rugby in Taranaki, and consider the social impact of rugby on the wider community. Students will have a fantastic time discovering more about the traditions and histories of this famous game.  It's available for all year levels and runs for 75 minutes.

Contact us to learn more or book online.