About Te Arawa Stories

He Pātaka Pūrakau – Te Arawa Digital Storehouse was a koha (gift) from Ngā Pūmanawa e Waru (NPeW) Education Trust to the Rotorua education sector. When the trust disbanded, Rotorua Library was identified as the best custodian of this rich taonga.

Through consultation with Rotorua schools, local iwi/hapū and community educators, NPeW Education Trust identified the need for resources that would provide cultural context and local relevance. This need was met through the creation of a website that would offer all learners the opportunity to engage and maximise their learning potential through technology.

The site contains a collection of stories about people, places and events that are applicable to Rotorua and to the people of Te Arawa. Topics range from the time of the arrival of the Arawa waka through to profiles of influential Te Arawa figures of yesteryear and today. The aim of this kaupapa is to build an inspiring space that stimulates learners to discover more about the world of Te Arawa and encourages them to consider their place in that world.

The longer-term view is to have schools and individual tamariki contribute their own stories, illustrations, and video files, making it a true ‘digital storehouse’ that grows in richness over time.

A NOTE ON ALTERNATIVE STORY VERSIONS

All entries found on Te Arawa Stories Digital Storehouse are ‘versions’ of stories only. Te Arawa Stories Digital Storehouse acknowledges alternative versions of stories may exist for any given subject and welcomes submissions of alternative versions.