The Māori name for Rolleston School, Te Ahi Kaikōmako, has its origins in the myth of Māui

and Mahuika.

In the myth of Māui and Mahuika, Mahuika placed a small amount of fire in all the trees in

the bush, except for the kaikōmako tree, which received the lion’s share of the fire.

An essential element for human survival, fire was most easily retrieved from the kaikōmako

tree, making it an incredibly valuable resource for early Māori.

The kaikōmako tree is also called ‘duck’s foot’ and the ‘bellbird’ tree, and both bellbirds and

korimako feed off the fruit from the female tree, just like our students feed off the ‘fire’

Rolleston School lights, providing them with what they need to learn and grow.

Because Rolleston School is the source of fire for its students’ learning, it was gifted the

name Te Ahi Kaikōmako by Taumutu Runanga.

By Alex, Emma, Gideon, Hannah, Olivia and Summer.

Year 8

2017