When Shona Ua-Marsh, the owner of Giggles Te Puke Early Learning Centre, took a group of 50 children on a marae visit, she learned a powerful lesson. As they approached the marae, more than 40 children hesitated, some feeling overwhelmed by the intricate Māori carvings and the powerful call of the karanga. Only seven children felt comfortable enough to continue. In that moment, Shona knew she had to change how young minds were introduced to te ao Māori (the Māori world).
“I had to normalise the idea of a marae,” she says. “I needed that in my classroom.”
Playful Pathways to Understanding
Driven by this realisation, Shona began creating her own learning resources. Two years ago, she built a doll’s-house-sized model of a wharenui (meeting house), complete with tiny tukutuku panels and atua carvings, designed to be engaging rather than intimidating. The result was transformative. Since introducing the model, Shona has never had a child want to leave a marae visit. The resource gives them the “prior knowledge” they need to feel safe and confident.
Shona’s innovative approach didn’t stop there. She also created a paraikete, a learning blanket that helps children learn te reo Māori (the Māori language), waiata (songs), and purakau (stories) in a simple, hands-on way. This resource isn’t just for teachers; it’s for anyone who wants to learn. It helps learners “thread the connection between their ancestors and themselves, deciphering their own whakapapa.”
The other side of the paraikete is a kakahu (cloak), with the intention that you can “wrap that knowledge around the child.” Shona’s resources embody the spirit of tikanga and kawa—the correct way of doing things in Māori culture—which, as she says, is all about “caring for others.”
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A Community-Wide Effort
Crucially, Shona emphasises that these resources are for everyone. “They are not just for Māori,” she states. “It’s a space where everyone can find some goodness of understanding.”
This vision has resonated beyond her early learning centre. Shona’s resources are now helping families and educators across New Zealand and even in Australia. In a fantastic show of community support, she has partnered with Stuart and Gloria Gunn, the owners of Paper Plus Te Puke. The store now stocks more te reo Māori books and learning aids, helping parents continue the learning at home.
Stuart Gunn notes the growing demand for these resources in our multicultural town, saying, “We are part of the community, and this is part of the community, so we support anything that’s part of the community.”
With Te ao Māori now a core part of the curriculum in schools, Shona Ua-Marsh’s work is not only changing the way children learn but also fostering a more inclusive and connected community. Her hands-on, heartfelt approach is a beautiful example of how education can build bridges to understanding, ensuring that every child feels a sense of belonging.
Stephen Fawcett, founder of the Vector Group Charitable Trust, is a passionate advocate for community empowerment. The core mission of the trust is to address key issues in Te Puke, particularly focusing on youth development, community engagement, and kai resilience. The trust is known for its hands-on approach, working directly with the community to create sustainable solutions.
“The Vector Group Charitable Trust is dedicated to supporting initiatives that empower communities and create a sense of belonging for our youth. What Shona Ua-Marsh has done at Giggles Early Learning Centre is a brilliant example of this. She saw a moment of uncertainty during a marae visit and instead of ignoring it, she innovated. By creating tangible, hands-on resources, she has built a bridge to cultural understanding that is approachable and non-intimidating for children. This proactive approach—identifying a need and developing a creative solution—is exactly the kind of grassroots innovation we champion. Shona’s work is not just about teaching te ao Māori; it’s about fostering a more inclusive and confident community from the earliest age, which is at the heart of our mission.”
Shona’s innovative approach extends beyond the classroom walls. Her model of teaching te ao Māori values is now moving from theory to practice with the creation of a Māra Kai at the centre. This community initiative is her way of connecting children to Papatūānuku, the earth mother, in a hands-on way. By learning to grow food, the children not only connect with their ancestors but also learn valuable lessons about sustainability and community. This shared vision of cultivating kai for the centre’s families and the wider community is the next step in their journey, showing how a deeper understanding of cultural values can lead to tangible, positive change for everyone.
