Bali Inquiry

If you go to Bali you are most likely to come across some of these little baskets full of flowers, rice and other small treats these baskets are called 'canang sari' they are to thank the Sang Huang Widhi Wasa for praise and prayer.



Bali schools are different to New Zealand because kids start school at the age of seven and they finish school at the age of 15 they also start the school day on the beach.


These little fish are called garrarufa fish and they eat away the hard dead skin and leave the pink healthy skin thats underneath. They are now using them to cure some foot diseases


This lady is make batik cloth this fabric is made by using a copper stamp, wax and dye to create patterns with beautiful colours and shapes. This is a traditional balinese cloth and is very beautiful.


The Saraswati temple is dedicated to the Hindu Goddess Saraswati, the goddess of learning, literature and art. It is a beautiful old temple and is an important part of Ubud in bali.

Battle Of Gate Pa Commemoration

During the holidays their were several events related to the commemoration of the Battle of Gate Pa. At these events there were many famous people here are a couple of the

This person is the Governor General he is famous because he is a representative of the Queen. Which means if the Queen is unable to attend then he will be sent in her place. If you have a look at the photo below you will see he has a special number plate.

The second person is Willie Apiata and he is famous because he was the first person to get awarded the Victoria cross. The Victoria cross is awarded for bravery when facing the enemy and only given to members of the armed forces in certain countries throughout the common wealth.

Te Whare Wananga o Te Maro - Our marae

In our marae at school there are three main parts. The Tahuhu (backbone), the Heke (Ribs), and the carved head representing the ancestor. The reason the marae is in the shape it is is because it is the head and arms of an ancestor.

Except the carved heads on our marae represent the three tribes of Tauranga.  The top head represents Ngati ranginui the middle one represents Ngati pukenga and the last one represents Ngai te rangi. The colourful rope represents two things one is all the tribes are apart but they are still connected and the second is it represents all the houses at school.

The ribs and the backbone are the most important part of the marae because if you don’t have a strong backbone and strong ribs the you won’t have a strong marae. To also have a strong marae you have to have a strong community.

The whare is a meeting place to connect with you ancestors. This is the reason we take our hats and shoes off when entering the marae. It is a sign of respect to you ancestors and to the maori culture.  

Waitangi Day

Why are these people carrying this banner?

The Treaty Of Waitangi was signed on the 6th of February 1840 in a town in the North Island of New Zealand. It was signed by 500 Maori Chiefs and some people from the British Crown. It is an agreement meaning that people of other countries were aloud to use the land. It was made an official public holiday in 1964. The people in the photo are protesting to try and get the people living in New Zealand to try and follow the treaty.