“I’m just the aunty with all of the jobs.”
That’s how teacher Hoana Forrester describes the situation of creating a kura in her carport for ākonga (students) in Tokomaru Akau (Bay) who have been unable to get to their regular schools due to road closures.
Five weeks ago, Cyclone Gabrielle smashed its way through Tairāwhiti, cutting off State Highway 35 access for Tokomaru Akau north to Te Puia Springs and south to Tolaga Bay, and leaving the East Coast town isolated.
Some students who live in the akau go to other schools in the region but were unable to attend due to the roading issues. 
Hoana — a teacher at Tolaga Bay Area School — and her house in Tokomaru Akau have been part of the Civil Defence team response.
Strategic planning and creating access was a big part of the first week of the the response. But by the end of the week, Hoana was thinking about what they could do for rangatahi in the area. 
With the support of Tolaga Bay Area School principal Kristin Wilson-Moore,  she set up a temporary school at her whare —  specifically in a carport recently extended by her husband Horiata Raihania. 
Hoana has been at Tolaga Bay Area School for 15 years and teaches art and digital technology at intermediate and secondary level. 
She worked through Covid-19 so knew how to do online learning, but this situation was different and called for a temporary kura to be set up. 
Daily school time is flexible to allow for setting up, cooking and cleaning in their learning space.
It seems to have got bigger every week, she says. 
With more roads becoming accessible on the Te Puia Springs side, whānau have been able to return home. 
Up to 20 students turn up to the kura every day. They are aged from seven to 16 and are from immersion Māori and mainstream schools. 
“We are into our fifth week learning here and recently our school bus route restarted which has been a huge support for whānau.”
The door is open to students from all kura.
“After the cyclone, we were all shut off from the world. We all feel the need to be together — our tamariki especially. 
“They know where to be and the expectations when they come up my driveway — be kind to each other, show respect to all and leave every day with the feeling that you did the best that you could do with your learning.”
Others have been assisting Hoana.
Kōkā Bessie (Hauiti), a teacher aide from Tolaga Bay Area School, came to help when the kura started.
“Kōkā Bessie is my MVP,” says Hoana in reference to the sporting term “Most Valuable Player”.
“Another staff member, Kōkā Gerry (Smith), takes our students on Fridays with the coolest learning programme using taiao and life skillsets.
“We have local whānau and ex-pupils who regularly turn up. 
“Some talk to our rangatahi, play sport with the kids, teach kapa haka and drop off home baking.”
The isolation factor means Hoana has had to think of different types of adults living there who can teach things to the rangatahi. 
“We have retired tradies, talented papa who can make a bench with a sink. 
“We have nannies who can teach English and essay writing and are professionals at making preserves. 
“There’s musicians, artists, bakers, taiao enthusiasts, business and farm owners and even a retired pilot.
“We can look at any topic through the lens of significance to our environment, lifestyle, culture and our future.
“Its a bit more chill at our kainga kura, with a cat, two dogs, goldfish and chickens. 
“The students feel calm and happy with a dog sleeping by their feet while they are writing in their books.”
Their school had been giving the best support, Hoana said. 
Chromebooks, stationary, workbooks arrived quickly and the staff at Tolaga Bay Area School had been “so encouraging”. 
“When I need guidance on ideas for our students’ learning they are only a phone call away.” 
There is online class work, a printer and they also have an account set up at the local store to buy whatever they need. 
The kids get a hearty cooked lunch each day. They eat together and clean up together. 
“The ages are merged. No one is more important than the other. 
“It’s a tuākana-tēina type of thing. A whānau setting.”
Hoana said there were a lot of people to thank and she hoped the rangatahi would “return the favour” when they were older if a similar situation was to occur. 
“Many thanks to everyone who reached out to see how they could help. 
“And a big thanks to Bunnings who helped to enhance our classroom that much more with shelving and storage.”