Story: Ngā take Māori – government policy and Māori

Pupils of the Waiwhetū kōhanga reo (learning nest) in Lower Hutt pose for the camera in this 1984 photo, together with their kaiako (teachers) – from left, Makere Ratu, Wikitoria Ratu and Parekowhai Reriti. Set up in 1982, the Waiwhetū kōhanga was one of the first in the country. A kōhanga reo is a preschool where children are immersed in Māori language and tikanga (customs).