May Road School

May Road School

The Tuwhiri in Schools workshop at May Road School focused on empowering students aged 8-10 to tell stories about their place through art, supported by augmented reality. Themes included Kaitiakitanga (guardianship), Te Taiao (environmentalism), the story of Kaiwhare, and the cultural significance of Pukewiwi/Puketāpapa (Mount Roskill)

Our Place

May Road School is a multicultural learning community situated in Mount Roskill. We celebrate the diversity of the learners within our school and believe in building strong relationships/partnerships with whānau to enhance student success. Staff, students and whānau alike respect each other and our environment.

Our vision statement, ‘value yourself, value your learning and respect all others’ encompasses our belief, as a human rights school, that all students should be given the opportunity to learn in a supportive and forward thinking environment.

Our Stories

Pukewiwi/Puketāpapa (Mount Roskill) is one of Tāmaki Makaurau's maunga and carries deep ancestral and ecological significance. Its tihi and slopes were once the site of extensive gardens, pā, and middens. The midden at May Road School contains evidence of shellfish consumption and local food collection, and the Te Tāpere stones are remnants of gathering places used for discussion and decision-making. These features tied in well with the school’s kaupapa and workshop themes.

Class discussion and research:

kaitiakitanga and our role in protecting our land and our knowledge
te taiao the living world and what it needs from us
the story of the harbour guardian Kaiwhare and the story of how be brought the elder Hape to Aotearoa
the cultural significance of the maunga Pukewiwi/Puketepapa, the midden and te tapere meeting stones, and the design of the playground.

Students hear about the areaMatua Jeff, Lynda, Whaea Helene and Dr. Hans

Our Process

Students explored how their tūpuna used natural systems around them including the midden, Te Tāpere meeting stones, the swamp, the forest, and the harbour (Te Manukanuka o Hoturoa) to live sustainably and in rhythm with the environment.

“The workshop was empowering, rich with community knowledge and connectedness... rich kōrero!.”

- Whaea Helene

Students received hands-on experiences creating their own interactive augmented reality art. Each workshop is guided by an experienced learning designer and creative practitioner using industry best practices catered to adjust to different learner types.

Students learn how to be the kaitiaki of our awa.

Our process:

using our Insta-Pou rapid prototyping techniques students experimented with visual art techniques to reflect on and interpret ideas taken from the marae to quickly mock up AR pou within the first few minutes of the workshop
we discussed metaphor how to express ideas with imagery around the rahui such as shelfish, kaitiaki and kai moana
develop ideas through iterative process
communicate ideas through the design of in-game 3D textures and shaders
understand how our art is used in the production pipeline and assigning visual effects

Our Creations

Students help us decide on the location for the AR content to show.

Students worked individually to create pou for 4 different themed sites using mixed media 2D physical artwork scanned in to the app and texture effects.

Students involved: Lena, Malia-ana, Lucy, Desire,
Jayde-Sky, Toloa, Yati, Kleo, Tupou, Teina, Lee, Atuarangi, King, Tama, Conz, Dayton, Bryan

Ngā mihi nui to Kainga Ora for all their support in this significant project which acknowledges Mana Whenua and the special nature of our place.

The pou will appear as augmented reality models in the Tuwhiri app in 4 locations near May Road School.

App available now on Google Play and iOS.

Our Mahi

Desire

My picture is about the day my family and I went to a maunga and we saw matariki and our family went to the sea and we saw a stingray and another way you can say stingray is Kaiwhare. They are our school’s kaitiaki. When my family was leaving, we saw a tree that had an apple and there was star around the tree. My koru’s is about new beginnings.

Tupou

I drew the pounamu because it is a beautiful Maori treasure that adults and kids wear on their neck. A pounamu is a Maori necklace like I just said it is a treasure that represents a hook that pulled our island out of the sea. I drew an eel because it lives in the awa and May Road school keeps the Awa safe and clean and healthy. The enviro team goes there 3 times a year. That is why we keep the awa clean and safe. We also keep the harakeke, the eel safe and the water cold.

Lucy

I drew the shell midden because a long time ago the shell midden used to be a place where people (Te Ākitai, Waiohua) that used to live at May Road school before it was a school. People used to throw bones, food scraps, rubbish and shells away in a midden. May Road school is the only school in Auckland that is the kaitiaki of a shell midden. The shell midden has been around since the thirteen hundreds. The midden is a taonga to us. I usually visit it every Tuesday. The plant that is in the midden is a kowhaiwhai tree. Everybody loves it.
If there is a reunion or something a lot of people go and praise it. It means a lot to our school.

Yati

I drew the pounamu because 1300 years ago people (Te Ākitai, Waiohua) used to live where our May Road school is now. People used to go to the Awa to fish. I drew the Awa so the people can know to make our awa a safe place for our birds and fish to live.

Tamatu

I designed my pou because it represents my culture and kaiwhare is about a guardian/kaitiaki. We need to look after our awa because it needs to look healthy in the future. So, don't throw rubbish in the awa. I saw a kaiwhare looking unhappy in the awa so I cleaned the awa because it looked dirty. When I finished, the awa and kaiwhare were happy and the fish were happy. I also gave kaiwhare same food and cleaned the park…
If there is a reunion or something a lot of people go and praise it. It means a lot to our school.

Malia-ana

I drew a story that starts with the volcano at Maungawhau (Mount Eden), where lava once flowed and the crater is considered a tapu food bowl of the Māori gods. I added Te Rā with a tā moko shining down, reminding us to keep the land clean. Next, I drew a forest full of birds, and someone from Te Ākitai Waiohua told me how people once hunted birds from the trees – not out of cruelty, but survival, since they couldn’t just go to a supermarket. I also imagined what a village might have looked like, with whare made of sticks, gardens, fires, and elders telling stories on rocks at night. Lastly, I drew Kaiwhare, a guardian stingray who carried Hape across the sea to Aotearoa after he was left behind.

Kleo

I drew an eel because they are a connection to the natural world, food source, and even protectors of rivers and oceans. I drew a stingray because it is, grace, stealth, maneuverability and the protection they give us.
I drew an koru because it represents new beginnings and growth. I drew birds because they represent freedom, hope, spirit transition and new opportunities. I drew an awa because it keeps the eels safe.

Conz

When Kaiwhare dropped off the people to New Zealand the people were happy because they had their own land and they liked New Zealand. They said thank you to kaiwhare and kaiwhare said to other people to look after our awa and mounga because New Zealand should be clean and our awa should be clean so our fish which is our food can live and the land Fertile. Don’t throw rubbish in the water because the water will be too dirty to drink.

Dayton

Kaiwhare was a mythical creature that was both a stingray and a taniwha. He used to live by Manukau bridge in an underwater cave named the gap south of piha. After getting lured out the cave by a man named Tamare with a big and strong club that was strong enough to defeat the kaiwhare.
But kaiwhare to me is a special taniwha stingray that helped the Māori people cross the sea. And fun fact he's the guardian (kaitiaki) of the sea so we need to keep the sea clean so he would keep us safe.

Bryan

I drew Kaiwhare which in the Māori tradition, was revered as the spiritual guardian of the Manukau harbour and western coastline, protecting the area and its people. According to tradition te ra Kaiwhare is a stingray, a mythical creature who helped Hape, a club footed man, reach Aotearoa before the tainui waka.

Lee

I drew this because it represents what it used to look like in the maunga area when they used to plant kumara under the ground. Then they dig it up and store it up in a kumara whare. They ate kumara everyday. They went to Waikowhai (where it used to be) to get their medicine because there was medicine plants there.

Teina

My story of my drawing is people used to plant kumara in volcanic soil and they build a shelter over the kumara to protect it from rain and bad weather. Also, whenever enemies came they would blow the conch and the warriors went up the mountain.
I drew the kowhaiwhai pattern because it means strong and also new life. The mountains used to look different and when they plant the kumara they say it's a kumara pit. A long time ago on a mountain there was a big hole and it was called the food bowl and no one was allowed to step in it because it’s tapu. Also when the warriors went up the mountain at night they made paths using white shells that glow so when they go up the mountain they could see where they were going.

King

The reason why I drew this picture is because Puketapapa (Pukewiwi) is and was a treasure to everyone. There was a Village at May Road school with nice people who stored their kumara on top of the mounga (Pukewīwī) in Auckland, New Zealand. Nowadays people look after the maunga.

Toloa

I drew a kowhaiwhai pattern because it means strong and unity. Us kids of May Road should look after the awa altogether so it will become healthy and clean. Also harakeke, the tuna (eel) and fish can breathe properly by breathing through their gills because we clean the water and keep the water cold water and The harakeke will keep coming for the fish to swim.
And that's why I wrote this to show how we can save animals inside water and outside on dry land for kaitiaki.

Lena

This is my pou.
I drew some of these patterns. I drew the koru to represent rebirth. In my pou I used the koru to represent the water of the awa. We are the kaitiaki of our awa (Te Auaunga).

Jayde'Sky

Atuarangi

My drawing is a Kumara pit getting harvested by warriors to eat later. They store it in the big whare I drew. In my drawing there are trees everywhere, they are home to the birds and people use the trunks for building and making fires. In my drawing people are wearing pounamu, the pou represents my culture. In my drawing the sunshine is coming up while the people go into their homes.

Our Guides

Karla Beazley

Community Connector & Guiding Light

Karla is a respected community leader known for her quiet strength, inclusive leadership, and unwavering commitment to empowering others. Described as a local hero, she exemplifies the spirit of giving and reciprocity through both her professional work and the many volunteer roles she holds. Karla was instrumental in bringing the Tuwhiri in Schools program to May Road School, where her presence served as a guiding light for staff and students alike. Her support not only made the workshop possible but also ensured it was deeply rooted in authentic local relationships and values. Six years ago, Karla began the journey of connecting May Road School to mana whenua, first through archaeologist Dr. Hans-Dieter Bader, which blossomed into a rich, ongoing partnership. As a descendant of Ngāti Te Ata, Waiohua, and ahi kā of Puketāpapa, Karla has walked this path alongside the tamariki – rediscovering and sharing her own whakapapa in the process. Her work with Kāinga Ora continues to shift perceptions and build trusted connections, helping communities grow stronger together.

Whaea Helene Crown

Cultural Advisor & Educator

Whaea Helen Crown is a respected cultural leader, educator, and advisor who played a vital role in the Tuwhiri in Schools workshop. Present throughout both days, she provided essential cultural insight that helped students shape their ideas and transform them into meaningful art. With a long history of community advocacy, she has been deeply involved in environmental and cultural revitalization efforts, including her work with the Te Auaunga Advisory Group and Auckland Council. Whaea Helen has served in multiple educational and advisory roles, including iwi partnerships, Treaty of Waitangi education, and historical archiving. Her extensive experience and deep connections within the community make her an invaluable source of wisdom and guidance for both students and teachers. The tamariki at May Road School have embraced her as their Nanny, a reflection of the warmth, care, and knowledge she brings to every space she enters. Her presence in the workshop ensured that Māori perspectives were not only acknowledged but fully integrated into the creative process.

Aamel Rahmati

Kaiwhare Class Teacher

Aamel Rahmati is a year senior teacher in years 4 to 6. She is also the co-leader of the Enviro team. She has taught kapa haka and is passionate about Mana whenua. She lives locally, so she feels strongly about our role as kaitiaki and is invested in supporting her ākonga to become the kaitiaki. She thinks that to do so, they need to connect with the whenua by learning about its history. She was also involved with the planning and organisation and was present on both days of the workshop. During and after the Tuwhiri workshop, Aamel also supported the students in communicating their ideas through art design and writing stories about their designs.

Anshuma Yusuf

Assistant Principal

Anshuma Yusuf is the Assistant Principal and co leader of the Enviro team. She joined May Road School in August last year and working on the Tuwhiri Project gave her valuable insight into the historical and cultural knowledge of the local area. She was involved with the planning, organisation and present on both days of the workshop. During and post workshop, Anshuma supported the students to communicate their ideas through the art design and write stories about their designs.

Dr. Hans-Dieter Bader

Archaeologist & Cultural Historian

Dr. Hans-Dieter Bader is an esteemed archaeologist with extensive experience in heritage management and geophysical surveying, bringing a wealth of knowledge to the Tuwhiri in Schools workshop. With a doctorate in classical archaeology and decades of work across Aotearoa and internationally, Hans has dedicated himself to uncovering and preserving the histories of landscapes and the people who shaped them. During the workshop, he engaged students in the rich archaeological history of the land, providing insight into pre-colonial life and its enduring significance. Hans has been a long-time collaborator with May Road School, having led live site visits, village visualizations, and community archaeology sessions, making a lasting impact on tamariki who now dream of becoming archaeologists themselves.

Nicky Elmore

Sustainable Schools Advisor

Nicky Elmore brought a rich depth of scientific and environmental knowledge to the Tuwhiri in Schools workshop, helping students understand the significance of the awa and how we can care for it. She supported a group of students throughout the creative process, blending cultural and ecological perspectives. Having grown up living a sustainable lifestyle in rural Aotearoa, Nicky's love for the bush, lakes, and oceans has inspired her lifelong commitment to environmental education. With experience at Meadowbank School, Auckland Council’s Sustainable Schools team, and as an Enviroschools facilitator, she is passionate about empowering tamariki and rangatahi to become regenerative leaders. Now based in Auckland and building a life on Waiheke Island, Nicky continues to foster meaningful connections between young people, place, and purpose.

Jeffrey Lee

Cultural Historian

Jeffrey Lee, of Te Ākitai Waiohua Waka Taua Inc., played a key role in the Tuwhiri in Schools workshop by providing a significant portion of the historical and cultural knowledge that helped shape the students' understanding of the local area. His insights into the land, people, and traditions of Puketāpapa enriched the learning journey for everyone involved.

Lynda Stuart

Principal

Lynda is the Principal of May Road School in Mt Roskill. She has been extensively involved in leadership within the education sector and spoken at both national and international conferences about education in Aotearoa. She has a commitment to working with diverse communities, is passionate about providing the best possible learning environment for each child and has a strong belief in the importance of embracing the language, culture and identity of each child and their family. Lynda played a key role in the Tuwhiri in Schools workshop by supporting the teachers with the planning, organisation and by providing a significant portion of the historical and cultural knowledge that helped shape the students' and adults' understanding of the school playground and Te Tapare (story telling place).