Kori Brown leans forward, grabs Rahui Dwyer by her shoulders, and presses her nose and forehead against her.

There's a chorus of giggles in the background. That's because they're learning to hongi, and it's all very new – and very funny – to five and six-year-olds.

Kori Brown and Rahui Dwyer embrace in a hongi.

'I introduced the word and not very many of them knew what a hongi was,” says Maungatapu School's Whaea Shell.

She's been teaching more than 60 Year 2 pupils the origins behind the hongi, as part of a video entry for the Movie and Digital Excellence Awards.

They've made a three-minute PowerPoint film from photos taken of the children practicing the hongi as well as artwork they've drawn.

It's called ‘The Hongi Story' and it's a finalist in the MADE Awards, which was announced third place in their category at the awards on November 13.

'It's quite emotional,” says Whaea. 'There's no talking or anything through it. It's the music and what the children have done that's telling the story.

'There's a bit of fun around it too – you can do it with the boys and the girls or you can hug and kiss on the cheek.

'They found that bit a bit odd because they're only little children.”

But Whaea shows them how to do it, she shows them it's all okay. 'It's our culture,” she says.

'When they see it on TV or somewhere public now they'll say: ‘Oh yeah I know how to do that, I don't have to be afraid'. Some of the kids were afraid because it's something new.

'But then they see it was much easier than they thought.”

The school's music video ‘Shake it Off' was made by Year 4-6 pupils and is also a finalist in the MADE Awards.

The MADE Awards seek to establish an outlet that enables students to show their work with a wider audience, to be proud of their efforts and to share their learning.

Categories include photo essay, graphic design, commercial, music video, magazine documentary, digital image and storytelling.

The 2015 finalists include Fairhaven School, Golden Sands School, Omanu Primary School, Tahatai Coast School, Te Akaui Ki Papamoa, Greerton Village School, Pongakawa School, Te Puke Primary, Otumoetai Intermediate, Te Puna School, Matamata Primary and Oropi School.

Results:

Te Akau Ki Papamoa School won first second and third in the Graphic Design Year 1-3 category.

The school also won first, second and third in the Photo Essay Year 1-3 and first and second in the Year 4-6 category. It also won first, second and third in the Music Video Year 1-3 category.

It also won the Storytelling Year 1-3 category and Year 4-6 category. It also won the Documentary Year 4-6 category.

Golden Sands School won the Creative Digital Image Year 1-3 category.

Tahatai Coast School won the Commercial Year 4-6 category and first place in the Graphic Design Year 4-6 category.

Te Puna School won the Music Video Year 7-8 category.