Tuatara

We had a couple of very special visitors to school today - two tuatara.  Tuatara are of great cultural significance to Māori, and some iwi (tribes) view tuatara as the kaitiaki (guardians) of knowledge.  How special that a pair of these fine taonga (treasures) should visit our school.  As befiting such taonga, there were protocols to follow to welcome both the tuatara's guardian and the tuatara themselves to our school.


NOT as befitting such guests, the fire alarm sounded during the mihi (speech of greeting, acknowledgement, tribute) resulting in a full school evacuation.  1600 students, 150 staff, 1 visitor and 2 tuatara all accounted for :)  (and there was no fire!)


Sadly, due to a pretty full-on day, I didn't get to go back to see them again so didn't manage 'the' shot I was hoping for.  Still, I can now add to my cultural experiences: 'up close and [kind of] personal with ancient and unique reptile'.  


Bring on the weekend :)


PS More info about these special creatures here