Te Ko’anga Reo o Takitumu, a total immersion Māori early childhood centre, celebrated its first graduate on Friday.

The Turangi-based early childhood centre held a small graduation ceremony for one of its first students, who will go on to begin Grade 1 at Apii Takitumu.

Esther Meraina Yuriko Mamara was an inaugural student at the Ko’anga Reo, which opened its doors in July 2024.

Esther’s mother, Merita Tuari’i, says she is proud of this moment for her daughter.

“When the idea for a total immersion centre was shared in the early days by the other parents, I was on board straight away. I was one of the first students at the Punanga Reo in Wellington, and I grew up in total-immersion Kohanga Reo and Kura/Wharekura Kaupapa Māori across Aotearoa. Going through that environment helped develop my confidence and pride in being Māori, especially through making reo Māori the norm, and reinforcing Māori values and knowledge. I had always known if I had children they would be a part of that too.:

Tuari'i says the Ko’anga Reo has been immensely beneficial.

“Esther has grown so much through Te Ko’anga Reo o Takitumu, her reo Māori learning there reinforced her reo Māori learning at Takitumu School and vice versa. And as the eldest student, the values of caring or Tuakana-Teina were instilled in her. She really enjoyed her time there,” she shared.

“I am so grateful to all of the wonderful teachers and volunteers, parents and community for their support in seeing the Ko’anga Reo thrive, and Pā Ariki for providing us a space.”

Founding executive member and parent Chiavanni Le’Mon said the five-year-old’s graduation marks the first of many children who will grow up proud and grounded in Te Reo Māori.

“Esther’s graduation is living proof that the dream of revitalising Te Reo Māori Kūki ‘Āirani is becoming a reality. Te Ko’anga Reo o Takitumu began with a seed of passion, and today that passion thrives through our tamariki,” Le’Mon said.

“This milestone is shared by everyone who has played a part, our families, our teachers, our volunteers and our community all working together to raise a generation who will live, speak and lead with our reo Māori.”

Parents, families and friends of Esther and the Ko’anga Reo children attended the graduation ceremony.

The Ko’anga Reo o Takitumu is based at Pā Marie Upokotini Ariki’s palace Te Maru o Piako, in Turangi, Rarotonga. It aims to revitalise reo Māori by creating a total immersion environment that nurtures and upholds pe’u Māori and pe’u tupuna. The Ko’anga Reo caters for ages between new-born and five years and is supported by parents and the community, with all fundraising and fees going towards its core operations.

Nine children remain enrolled at the Ko’anga Reo, with three teachers.