Cultural Update

A group of Mana Rangatahi graduates attended a wānanga in Taupō at the start of this month.

The wānanga provided the participants with another platform and opportunity to develop their skills in mau rākau, pēpeha, karakia, waiata. They were also introduced to Te Whare Atua or the Māori gods.

Whilst the majority of our wānanga will be based in our rohe, that doesn’t preclude us making a hikoi to other rohe. Attending hui and wānanga outside of our rohe not only provides our rangatahi with an opportunity to meet other rangatahi from other iwi, but also gives them insight into the cultural revitalisation programmes (and progress) of other iwi. The kaumātua of Ngāti Rongomai, Ngāti Tūwharetoa were very impressed with our rangatahi and were interested in our cultural journey.

The rōpū visited some of the wāhi tapu and discovered that our eponymous ancestor Apa Hapai Taketake had a Pā site near the maunga, Pihanga.

 

Iwi Wānanga ki Whakatū

Our next iwi wānanga is being hosted in Whakatū in conjunction with the Te Waipounamu Kapa Haka Competitions. Whānau will travel to Whakatū on Friday and attend the competitions on Saturday supporting all of our whānau who will take to the stage. Kiley is also trying organise a waka ama paddle on the Sunday. If you would like to register for the wānanga please get in touch.

Please note that as this is an all iwi wānanga the expectation is that a guardian attends with tamariki.

Omaka Marae Pā Ora, Pā Wānanga

The Omaka Marae, Pā Ora, Pā Wānanga kaupapa has been going from strength to strength over the last eight months. The vision behind Pā Ora, Pā Wānanga is about developing a thriving and living learning village and by the look of all the activity happening at the marae it is most certainly very much alive.

Pā Ora, Pā Wānanga has four pou or kaupapa including Pā Kids, the afterschool programme, Toa Fit, the weekly workout session that combines Te Ao Māori with circuit training, The marae’s social business enterprise, Manaaki Preserves and an investigation into establishing a kura Māori.

Pā Kids has seen some great results for whānau wanting to develop their te reo Māori and understanding of te ao Māori and strengthening their connection to Omaka Marae. The tamariki and their mātua can now confidently say their pēpeha, sing waiata, perform waiata, patu and converse more confidently in te reo.

Toa Fit is all about wellbeing and the success of the collective. The marae has been able to develop an environment where whānau from all fitness levels, shapes and sizes feel safe while getting fit. The age ranges from tamariki, rangatahi right through to some very brave kaumātua.  The whānau endure a 40 minute circuit training work out and then get into some mau rākau. The whakatauaki at Toa Fit is ‘Tuwhitia te Hopo’ or ‘Feel the fear and do it anyway’!

Manaaki preserves is the business venture for the marae with the profits going back into marae initiatives. So far, the range consists of a Kamokamo Pickle, Horopito & Lemon Sauce and a Kawakawa jelly. The marae is going through and getting the branding done and are investigating purchasing a kai kart, so hopefully you will be able to sample this delicious kai over summer.

Omaka Marae is also investigating the establishment of a kura Māori on the marae and the vision is to offer a kaupapa Māori seamless education pathway for whānau. Early feedback suggests that the learning principles and pedagogy will be kaupapa Māori. However, it is probably not going to be a total immersion school as some whānau see that as a barrier. There is lots of interest in this kaupapa. If it is something you would consider for your whānau or if you want to know more about the Pā ora, Pā Wānanga please contact Omaka Marae.