Kura Takiura FAQs

  • Technology

    • Ākonga — Student, pupil, learner, protégé.
    • Auahatanga — Creativity.
    • Kaimahi — Worker, employee, clerk, staff.
    • Kaiako — Teachers, instructor.
    • Kura — School, a place where learning happens.
    • Rangatahi — Youth.
    • Takiura — Higher learning.
    • Tamariki — Children.
    • Tangata whenua — Local people, hosts, indigenous people.
    • Tarapouahi — Shawl.
    • Ōtautahi — Christchurch.
    • Whānau — Family.

    Please refer to Te Aka Māori Dictionary for further clarification.

    Auahatanga Creative Space showcase and Media Studio showcase are free of charge.

    Some creative technology sessions (e.g., Crafting Empathy, Podcasting Essentials, Creative Design Workshop, Miniature Maker and Coding Creation) may have funding support available for schools through GCSN - Greater Christchurch Schools' Network. Apply directly with GCSN to request funding and enquire about eligibility criteria.

    Crafting Empathy, Podcasting Essentials, Creative Design Workshop, Miniature Maker, and Coding Creation require basic computer skills, such as keyboard typing and using a mouse.

  • Cultural

    • Ākonga — Student, pupil, learner, protégé.
    • Auahatanga — Creativity.
    • Kaimahi — Worker, employee, clerk, staff.
    • Kaiako — Teachers, instructor.
    • Kura — School, a place where learning happens.
    • Rangatahi — Youth.
    • Takiura — Higher learning.
    • Tamariki — Children.
    • Tangata whenua — Local people, hosts, indigenous people.
    • Tarapouahi — Shawl.
    • Ōtautahi — Christchurch.
    • Whānau — Family.

    Please refer to Te Aka Māori Dictionary for further clarification.

    For cultural programming, there may be resource-related costs. This will communicate in confirming the enquiry.

    This will be discussed and confirmed at the time of co-designing the programmes, but flexibility is appreciated as the Māori and Multicultural Services team is small and in high demand.

    We ask kaiako to please note this request on the booking form as it is subject to the Māori and Multicultural Services team capacity and capability. This will be discussed at the time of co-designing programming.

    All our cultural programmes are bilingual pertaining to the subject matter.

  • General

    • Ākonga — Student, pupil, learner, protégé.
    • Auahatanga — Creativity.
    • Kaimahi — Worker, employee, clerk, staff.
    • Kaiako — Teachers, instructor.
    • Kura — School, a place where learning happens.
    • Rangatahi — Youth.
    • Takiura — Higher learning.
    • Tamariki — Children.
    • Tangata whenua — Local people, hosts, indigenous people.
    • Tarapouahi — Shawl.
    • Ōtautahi — Christchurch.
    • Whānau — Family.

    Please refer to Te Aka Māori Dictionary for further clarification.

    The name ‘Kura Takiura’ has been gifted as a tarapouahi (shawl) used to encompass all library school programming.

    Kura = School / place where learning happens
    Takiura = Higher Learning.

    Self‑guided visits allow a class to explore the library at their own pace. We ask that kaiako and supervising adults remain with their ākonga at all times and contact the library before their visit as a courtesy. There are scavenger hunts downloadable from Kura Takiura for them to use. 

    Groups can explore exhibitions at Tūranga and interact with activities such as the GoBots Challenge or scavenger hunts.

    Most Kura Takiura sessions in libraries are free of charge.

    Some creative technology sessions (e.g., Crafting Empathy, Podcasting Essentials, Creative Design Workshop, Miniature Maker and Coding Creation) may have funding available for schools through GCSN - Greater Christchurch Schools' Network. Apply directly with GCSN to request funding and enquire about eligibility criteria.

    For cultural [Māori, Pasifika, ESOL] programming, there may be resource-related costs.

    Everyone is welcome. For classes new to the library, we recommend starting with ‘Navigating the Library’ session to build confidence and familiarity with the space.

    Library cards are not essential to participate in these sessions. We encourage kaiako to invite their ākonga to bring their library card if they plan to issue books before or after their booked session.

  • Library

    • Ākonga — Student, pupil, learner, protégé.
    • Auahatanga — Creativity.
    • Kaimahi — Worker, employee, clerk, staff.
    • Kaiako — Teachers, instructor.
    • Kura — School, a place where learning happens.
    • Rangatahi — Youth.
    • Takiura — Higher learning.
    • Tamariki — Children.
    • Tangata whenua — Local people, hosts, indigenous people.
    • Tarapouahi — Shawl.
    • Ōtautahi — Christchurch.
    • Whānau — Family.

    Please refer to Te Aka Māori Dictionary for further clarification.

    At the time of booking, we ask kaiako to mention if they need a space for a break, as we may be able to accommodate the request. The kaiako and supervising adults will be responsible for the ākonga during this time.

    Please note that food and drink are not permitted in Level 2 Tuakiri at Tūranga, any computer areas, or the Ngā Pounamu Māori collection and Pasifika collection in all libraries. Ngā Pounamu Māori collection and Pasifika collections are spaces where cultural knowledge, history and relationships are maintained and developed through the items in the collection and the physical collection area.

    Read our Food and Drink Statement

    Our Kura Takiura programmes are designed with specific year levels in mind, and mixed year level classes can be accommodated. To help ensure the best possible experience for everyone, we ask kaiako to identify the year levels at the time of the enquiry. This allows kaimahi to offer suggestions to better support the class visit. This might be class visit groups like home-school or special education classes.

    We welcome all ākonga into our libraries, and we encourage kaiako to let us know about any additional needs when completing the booking form.

    This information helps our library kaimahi to prepare as needed. For example, an ākonga who uses a wheelchair may need space arranged for easy movement and a clear path to the activity area.

    Everyone is welcome. For classes new to the library, we recommend starting with ‘Navigating the Library’ session to build confidence and familiarity with the space.

    Library cards are not essential to participate in these sessions. We encourage kaiako to invite their ākonga to bring their library card if they plan to issue books before or after their booked session.

  • Visits

    • Ākonga — Student, pupil, learner, protégé.
    • Auahatanga — Creativity.
    • Kaimahi — Worker, employee, clerk, staff.
    • Kaiako — Teachers, instructor.
    • Kura — School, a place where learning happens.
    • Rangatahi — Youth.
    • Takiura — Higher learning.
    • Tamariki — Children.
    • Tangata whenua — Local people, hosts, indigenous people.
    • Tarapouahi — Shawl.
    • Ōtautahi — Christchurch.
    • Whānau — Family.

    Please refer to Te Aka Māori Dictionary for further clarification.

    Self‑guided visits allow a class to explore the library at their own pace. We ask that kaiako and supervising adults remain with their ākonga at all times and contact the library before their visit as a courtesy. There are scavenger hunts downloadable from Kura Takiura for them to use. 

    Groups can explore exhibitions at Tūranga and interact with activities such as the GoBots Challenge or scavenger hunts.