The mountain that you can see in the background shows some of the exposed rock which was left behind since the days that they quarried which I think (from memory) stopped in the 1980s. A lot of the scoria from the surrounding hills/mountain were quarried to help make roads and for the airport foundations (not confirmed on those details.)
It was a neat day as the children got to sing a lot of waiata (Maori songs) and then had a workshop on poi making (Maori action song using a small soft ball with a plaited handle) which was really neat as I have made some in my time and was able to help the children out with their 4 plait using coloured wool. And then they were able to sing their waiata whilst spinning the poi around. It was also neat for them to take it home too to show family members.
The next neat workshop that they engaged with was regarding the traditional gardens. A guide explained how kumara (sweet potato) were planted with scoria rocks surrounding the garden in that it kept the plants warm and the moisture in during winter times which would give them 4 extra months of yield as compared to other places growing kumara. The children got to make up fences of scoria rocks that plants might be able to grow in.
The children were also shown gardening implements that were shaped from branches in a tree and helped to dig and hoe the garden. They were also shown a kumara storing hut that was a replica of what kumara was stored in traditionally before refrigerators came into being and the children were all fascinated by it.
We actually ran out of time so that we weren't able to make a traditional kite to fly of which the guides will be going to the school to complete that activity but would like to highly recommend the activities for school and family groups and for learning about this environment as they encouraged anyone to come and visit them as they are opened office hours from Monday to Friday and also during the school holidays.
I'm definitely planning for a visit with my Research class next month (Lord willing) as they have Geological walks that cover geological information as a volcano and environment aspects about conserving the environment. And a 'Maori walk' which covers early migrations of Maori to this area as well as traditional living and gardening in this areas and the significance of protecting this heritage. Some of their services are payable per person but they also have some activities that are via koha (giving of a monetary gift at your discretion).
Something to consider taking your family to during Matariki celebrations...
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