Bonnie Ngawaka

Tēnā koutou,
Kei ngā rau huia o te motu, tēnā rā koutou katoa.
Ko wai au?
Ko Hirakimatā te maunga
Ko Te Moananui ā Toi te moana
Ko Māhuhu ki te rangi te waka
Ko Whakapaumahara rāua ko Kawa ngā marae
Ko Ngāti Rehua tōku hapū
Ko Ngāti Wai tōku iwi
Ko Bonnie Ngawaka tōku ingoa
Nō Aotea ahau
engari , Kei Ōtautahi ahau e noho ana ināianei

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.

Whāia te mātauranga hei oranga mō koutou
Seek after learning for the sake of your well being.

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