Master Chef sisters share the dream

PHOTO OP: Waima School pupil Tyler Mokaraka grabs his moment in the spotlight with Kasey and Karena Bird.

Kasey and Karena Bird, the Bay of Plenty sisters who won last year's NZ Master Chef title, know about life in small towns. They have shown no inclination to leave Maketu for the bright lights following their success, and they had a message when they visited schools around Te Tai Tokerau - that there is no reason why kids from small towns can't dream as big as anyone.

Their schedule included calls at Northland College in Kaikohe (where their mother Atarangi was a student and a teacher), Rawene School (where Karena's namesake is the new principal), and Waima (where Atarangi was raised and also went to school).

At Waima the small entourage was met by an 'all tamariki' powhiri, the senior pupils taking the lead in welcoming the celebrities and their whanau on to the school, in accordance with the tikanga of their hapu Te Mahurehure. Elyse Williams called the visitors on with her first karanga, Cornelius Fakahua then leading the karakia. Caleb Thompson delivered his mihi, the whole school singing in support with gusto.

The children's excitement was evident as they heard how Kasey and Karena began their educational journey at a small school just like theirs, and recounted the series of events that led them to Master Chef success, Dallas Williams said.

"Their mother shared stories from her childhood about what the school looked like when she lived there and went to school at Waima," she added.

"Tales of rope swings along the line of pine trees by the river would have made today's health and safety gurus cringe, but the more Mrs Te Awa-Bird shared the more students began to picture the life of a student at Waima School in a time gone by."

Kasey and Karena were presented with Waima School apparel and 'school values' wrist bands when they arrived, and were farewelled with a gift of peruperu that pupils Nevayah and Moana had dug out of the school gardens that morning in the hope that such an authentic ingredient might inspire more of the culinary excellence the sisters were renowned for.

"When asked what they were having for dinner that night the response was 'We're having a boil-up made for us', which brought forward giggles from children for whom that is standard fare," Dallas said.

"The visit illustrated how celebrities with small town beginnings can bring a sense of wonder and excitement to students who otherwise may not have the courage to dream of bigger beginnings to a life of expression and achievement.

"In one visit these two exceptional young women have flared the flame of hope in so many children throughout the Hokianga. Thank you Kasey, Karena and family for taking the time to visit us in Te Tai Tokerau."