This week our Keas had an exciting night of lots of mini activities as we learn together about being tangata tiriti and celebrating Aotearoa this Māori new year. 

After learning about the origins of Matariki and how Māori whanau usually celebrate, we got crafty with decorating some mihi booklets and finished up with some toasty marshmallow goodness. Yum! 

With this term’s theme of construction at Brooklyn Scouts, the Keas took on the challenge at their evening meeting on Tuesday 14 June.   We started with a  quick reflection on last weeks “diversity around the world” activity, and we heard that many keas enjoyed the opportunity to learn a new language or experience a new game.

But this week, they had a practical deadline – to deliver a shelter one person could sit or lie in –  in 35 minutes or less.  This was a kea led activity – to complete their task in teams of 2 or 3 using all or any of the resources available in the room.   There were many different interpretations, from log cabins through to paper pup tents, classic and  futuristic tepees, to multi material lean to-s.  And some micro scale mini designs. Kea creativity was at its peak.    Keep in mind that when they get to Scout section, they will be building bivouacs in the outdoors and sleeping in these overnight.  

Thanks to youth leader Jen, and to the adult helpers who pitched in.   With the kea section now at full capacity, we do need two parents each week to assist – if you have not already done so, please get in your online volunteer application so that we can process you through the necessary clearance steps that help us support our youth in safe and constructive ways.  

Nga mihi
Kea kaiarahi Denise & Anna

Several wheelbarrow loads of plants were given to us by the WCC Plant Nurseries to plant in a section of Prince of Wales Park that the Scout group has been working on for the past two years.

Last Sunday Grant (a Cub Kaiārahi) chose the worst day he could find (⛈ hail & heavy showers of rain ⛈) to get them planted.

Tonight we had our eyeballs exercised by watching 125 CCTV camera’s recording various pieces of Wellington urban landscape – all at once! The Scouts had plenty of questions and hopefully have been reflecting on the positives and negatives surveillance plays in keeping our streets safe!?

The night was capped off by a short walk through the historic Bolton St cemetery where we stopped to hear some of the stories relating to those buried there.