Our classroom is named Hinepaaka and we wanted to find the history and meaning behind our class name.

This sparked a wonderful journey of exploration into our local history and identity, leading us to construct our very own version of the Hinepaaka tree right inside our room.

Named after a prominent Ngāi Tahu tīpuna (ancestor), the original Hine Paaka tree was a mighty guardian of the plains—bringing people together, marking boundaries, and providing shelter. Every student decorated a beautiful leaf to display on the tree, giving our tamariki a tangible sense of place and ownership in our classroom. The diverse designs on each leaf highlight and honor the different backgrounds, strengths, and creative expressions each student brings to our site.

“In our classroom, we walk in Hinepaaka’s shadow. Like the tree, this classroom is a place of rest. You are safe under the branches of the Hinepaaka tree”

Kaiako in Ashburton 🌳