Many of the school's 120 pupils were joined by parents and family as a hangi was lifted to reveal an array of food.
School principal Janice Tofia said the dinner was part of a long-term educational programme being run at the school aimed at teaching children about the social aspects and protocol behind a hangi and enhancing the ‘‘sense of community at the school''.
‘‘It's part of a wider plan which relates to the children learning about spiritual, emotional and physical wellbeing - and what it means to be part of the school community,'' Mrs Tofia said.
Many pupils were involved in the preparation of the hangi pit and food.
On Wednesday, they watched as the Rev Barney Taiapa, of Dunedin, blessed the ground where the hangi would be dug.
‘‘One boy helped chop wood and another [pupil] made stuffing with her grandmother, so the whole thing has helped children think about getting involved in a community project,'' Mrs Tofia said.
Pupil Jordan Coward (5) said although he had tried barbecue food before, yesterday was the first time he had sampled hangi food, which he thought would be ‘‘very yummy''.
He had learnt about the preparation of the meal and no longer confused the hangi cooking process with ‘‘honey'', he said.
