Wednesday 26 August 2015

Passion Project Term 3

WALT use the PASSION inquiry process to investigate my passion independently/in small groups

Big idea/task:For my passion project, I have been leaning towardsagainst plans on the Harakeke. Rosalind, Emma, Rileigh and I are focusing on revamping the Harakeke, like putting some new flax and native shrubbery into the space or even cut down the tower of terror ( the tree ) We want to bring the Harakeke back to life. Add as much more Māori culture as we can.
My passion has grown for the Harakeke and we are looking forward to when our job has been done.

Evidence: When we went and interviewed David, he gave me a folder with all the precious information about the Harakeke and the flax, layout and original plans for the space. We wrote this info down in a doc and we shared it with our group so we could all contribute into this passion project. We also have been throwing out ideas we could do, aswell as talking to Dave ( jetts dad ) he is an outside designer! THIS IS SOME INFO....

HARAKEKE
New Zealand Flax
Phormium tenax

The value placed on the flax plant by the old-time Māori can perhaps be assessed by the astonishment expressed by some chiefs in the early days of contact when apprised of the fact the plant did not grow in England. They asked "how is it possible to live there without it?" - Colenso 1891. It wasn't long before Pākehā settler found he couldn't do without flax either in those first years, being so far away from supplies of manufactured goods. 
A commission was even sent up to report to the New Zealand parliament as to the best ways to prepare flax for manufacture, and many learned gentlemen gave their views. All parts of the plant were used by the Māori for one purpose or another, including medicinal. Specific varieties did specific jobs: one variety for the soft fibre produced, another for its strength, another for its capacity to take dye, etc. 
Appropriately for a plant of such importance, it's Māori ancestral line is impeccable, being descended from one of the sons of Rangi (the Sky Father), a celestial entity named Haumia Tiketike who also presides over fern root, rahurahu, and the hebe species, koromiko, through his son Tuna-Rangi.




Feedback/Feedforward: Great job Olivia, it looks like you have been working really hard on the Harakeke! It is also good that you have talked to some experts. I have also been sometimes sitting near you and I have heard some really good conversations in your group! Great Job! -Hannah K



Evaluation: My group and I are so nearly there! After having a talk with a few experts we have been put on track. We have been working well together and agreeing on other ideas. I found it hard gathering knowledge at the start but now it's pretty easy! 

1 comment:

  1. Based on all the information you have gathered so far, what are your recommendations for a revamped Harakeke? As you keep following this passion, please share your designs and outcome from talking to the BOT. Don't forget as an inquirer, it is important to write the facts you have gathered into your own words so that you have a chance to process and understand what you are discovering.

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