Bonnie Ngawaka

Tēnā koutou,
Kei ngā rau huia o te motu, tēnā rā koutou katoa.
Ko wai au?
Ko Māhuhu ki te rangi te waka,
Ko te moana nui o Toitehuatahi te moana,
Ko Hiramata te maunga,
Ko Ngāti Wai te iwi,
Ko Ngāti Rehua te hapū,
Ko Whakapaumahara te marae,
Ko Bonnie Ngawaka tōku ingoa,

Nō reira ra, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa.

Kia ora e te whānau,
My name is Bonnie Ngawaka. I have the privilege of being a te reo Māori tutor for
Risingholme. I have lived in beautiful Ōtautahi since I was a child after moving from
Waiouru, where my father was originally posted in the NZ Army. I come from a
multicultural background and have great pride in my heritage, culture and language. My
mother comes from Singapore, and my father hails from Aotea, the Great Barrier Island.

I have been on a journey/haerenga to learn te reo Māori for many years and enjoy
passing on my knowledge to others. I have completed a Bachelor of Arts in Māori and
Japanese and a Master of Education in bilingual and immersion studies.

I have been working as a primary school teacher for ten years, but I am passionate
about teaching learners from all walks of life. I am excited to mentor adults with their
haerenga to learn te reo Māori.

“My language is my awakening, my language is the window to my soul”. Arohaita te reo
Māori.

Whāia te mātauranga hei oranga mō koutou
Seek after learning for the sake of your wellbeing

This whakatauki refers to the importance of learning for it is key to your wellbeing. If you
follow the path of learning, the world will be your oyster.