Dollhouses built in marae style

Students of Manurewa High are getting creative with their business ideas for this year’s Young Enterprise Scheme competition in Auckland.

Dakota Moreau, Kayle Poinga, Carlos Tuala, Keith Fata and Korinito Seuala wanted to educate the next generation about their traditions ‘‘not only Maori but also other cultures’’.

So the year 13 pupils came up with an idea of a marae-style dollhouse. Their company is called Nesian Customs.

‘‘Kids like to play with dollhouses so we incorporated our traditional side and turned them into maraes,’’ Kayle said.

‘‘We want to teach the younger generations our traditions and customs.

‘‘Our generation is slowly losing its identity and, hopefully, we can solve that with this.’’

Carlos said he enjoyed storytelling and the myths and legends that were part of his culture.

He works on the engineering and measurements, and it takes about two weeks to complete a house.

Through this dollhouse, they aim to pass on the tales of old and also inform children what a marae is and what is the appropriate behaviour when inside one.

The marae dollhouse comes with four Maori whanau dolls. But they are also available separately.

The boys trialled the dollhouse it at a local daycare and said it was well received.

‘‘Our target market is child daycares, kohanga, or Maori kindergartens, and young parents,’’ Keith said.

They are yet to decide on a selling price but say it will retail at about $200.

The national winner of the Lion Foundation Young Enterprise Scheme stands to win $25,000.

There are also regional awards, cash prizes and tertiary scholarships.