NEW TEAM NAMES & TANIWHA 2025
We are excited to announce the introduction of new Ngā Kāhui (team names) at CMS for 2025. Our current names have developed over time as the school has experienced significant growth, and whilst they each have their own meaning, they are not connected. We have been looking for a way to create a concept where our teams nurture an environment where students feel strongly connected and have a sense of belonging. It has taken a lot of time and thought to come up with the relevant rationale and to develop the concept.
After working with our pou tikanga, Kahurangi Heta, the school Board and our Whānau voice roopu, we are thrilled to announce that the concept to connect our teams and school is through Toi Māori, or Māori art. Each team will be named after a specific Māori pattern that will be depicted in the form of a Taniwha. We would like to acknowledge Isiah Middlemiss for his stunning designs and artwork to transform this concept into the (team) Taniwha that you see below.
This concept will allow students to connect strongly to their teams and for our teachers to be able to unpack rich learning experiences that connect to Te Ao Māori, our local stories, iwi, hapū and our place in the world. To ensure that we teach the tikanga of these designs correctly, our staff will be engaged in professional learning before the start of next year to develop their own understanding and knowledge.
We look forward to bringing these team names and Taniwha to life in 2025.
Waikato taniwha rau, he piko he taniwha, he piko he taniwha.
Waikato of a hundred taniwha, on every bend a taniwha. This saying attributes the power and prestige of the Waikato tribes to that of the river, where we are based.
KOIRI
Sometimes referred to as the Mother/Daughter symbol, a koiri is the koru pattern repeating and turning back into itself. This may continue into infinity.
MEANING: "To flourish" "Self Reflection" "Nurturing"
KORU
Derived from the unfurling fern frond, this is the most versatile and widely used symbol and the basis for most kowhaiwhai and can mean a number of different things depending on the context.
MEANING: "New Life" "Peace and Growth"
MANGOPARE
Derived from the hammerhead shark, the mangopare represents strength, leadership, agility, tenacity, unrelenting determination, courage and wealth. This symbol can also be used upside down to pay homage to the deceased.
MEANING: "Strength" "Courage" "Power"
MĀUI
This symbol represents the fish hook of Maui. In Māori myth, Maui used a magic fish hook carved from the jawbone of his grandmother to pull up New Zealand's North Island from the bottom of the ocean in the form of a huge fish.
MEANING: "Prosperity" "Strength" "Determination"
NGUTU KĀKĀ
This symbol represents things double, or the beak of the kaka. The kōwhai ngutu kākā (kākā beak plant) symbolises the mana of female deities, and the importance of women leaders who give of their time, knowledge and experiences to teach and tautoko the next generation.
MEANING: "Orator"
PUHORO
This pattern is a split koru and comes from the paddles of a waka hitting the water and leaving the spiral design in its wake.
MEANING: "Speed" "Swiftness" "Agility"