In March 2021 during our work at Roskill South, we uncovered a midden – an old disposal site for food remains like shellfish and bones and ash and charcoal. Middens are archaeological treasure troves of how people used to live.
Now it is providing exciting hands-on learning for students at May Road School who are keen to understand more about and connect with their whenua.
In collaboration between Kāinga Ora, LEAD, archaeologist Dr Hans Dieter-Bader and mana whenua, the midden was relocated to the school where tamariki have been ‘treasure hunting’ to uncover stories of Roskill South’s past.
May Road students expressed an overwhelming urge to know more about their past. Becoming kaitiaki for the midden as part of their studies has been a great part of building a village at Roskill South.
Building infrastructure and homes is a big part of community building. The other huge piece is the people – their past, their stories and taking these into the future to create a sense of tūrangawaewae - our place in the world.
Karla Beazley, Community Development & Engagement Coordinator, Roskill Development
The midden is in a temporary resting place on rocks transported from the development while students have their hands-on experience. With guidance from mana whenua, its final home will be under an ancient Pōhutukawa, with engraved kowhatu (stones) gifted by the Ministry of Education from Wesley Intermediate as it is upgraded.
In March 2021 during our work at Roskill South, we uncovered a midden – an old disposal site for food remains like shellfish and bones and ash and charcoal. Middens are archaeological treasure troves of how people used to live.
Now it is providing exciting hands-on learning for students at May Road School who are keen to understand more about and connect with their whenua.
In collaboration between Kāinga Ora, LEAD, archaeologist Dr Hans Dieter-Bader and mana whenua, the midden was relocated to the school where tamariki have been ‘treasure hunting’ to uncover stories of Roskill South’s past.
May Road students expressed an overwhelming urge to know more about their past. Becoming kaitiaki for the midden as part of their studies has been a great part of building a village at Roskill South.
Building infrastructure and homes is a big part of community building. The other huge piece is the people – their past, their stories and taking these into the future to create a sense of tūrangawaewae - our place in the world.
Karla Beazley, Community Development & Engagement Coordinator, Roskill Development
The midden is in a temporary resting place on rocks transported from the development while students have their hands-on experience. With guidance from mana whenua, its final home will be under an ancient Pōhutukawa, with engraved kowhatu (stones) gifted by the Ministry of Education from Wesley Intermediate as it is upgraded.
In March 2021 during our work at Roskill South, we uncovered a midden – an old disposal site for food remains like shellfish and bones and ash and charcoal. Middens are archaeological treasure troves of how people used to live.
Now it is providing exciting hands-on learning for students at May Road School who are keen to understand more about and connect with their whenua.
In collaboration between Kāinga Ora, LEAD, archaeologist Dr Hans Dieter-Bader and mana whenua, the midden was relocated to the school where tamariki have been ‘treasure hunting’ to uncover stories of Roskill South’s past.
May Road students expressed an overwhelming urge to know more about their past. Becoming kaitiaki for the midden as part of their studies has been a great part of building a village at Roskill South.
Building infrastructure and homes is a big part of community building. The other huge piece is the people – their past, their stories and taking these into the future to create a sense of tūrangawaewae - our place in the world.
Karla Beazley, Community Development & Engagement Coordinator, Roskill Development
The midden is in a temporary resting place on rocks transported from the development while students have their hands-on experience. With guidance from mana whenua, its final home will be under an ancient Pōhutukawa, with engraved kowhatu (stones) gifted by the Ministry of Education from Wesley Intermediate as it is upgraded.