Mana Rangatahi ki Te Tai-o-Aorere

The year got off to a great start for a group of about 20 rangatahi who took part in the summer Mana Rangatahi programme.

The weeklong wānanga took the rōpū across to Te Tai-o-Aorere (Tasman Bay), where they learned more about some special wāhi tapū, got the chance to do plenty of manus and also connected with some of Te Tauihu’s top cultural experts.

It was a great mix of rangatahi, many of whom were attending for their first time. Many of the whānau who attended the presentation at Omaka Marae on the last day of the wānanga said how amazed they were at the transformation that had taken place over the six days. 

From learning or extending their pepeha to 4.30am karakia at Te Awhina Marae, the rangatahi were kept busy. They also travelled to Anchorage in the Abel Tasman Park, met with Māori artist Gordon Toi in Māpua and then travelled to the Mahitahi in Whakatū where they met with well-known carver and Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō member Lewis Smith and learned about the mātauranga and pūrākau around pakohe. Back at Whakatū Marae they even got to create their own toki pakohe.

A huge thank you to Lewis and Gordon and also to iwi member Hamuera Robb for his time with the rangatahi at Nelson Provincial Museum.

A huge mihi also to Trustee Margaret Bond and iwi member Keelan Walker for their guidance and teachings and helping to ensure rangatahi were well cared for. Special thanks also to Melissa Banks Photography. 

And if you have rangatahi who you think might benefit from this wānanga, look out for the next one in July. For more photos, see our event gallery.

 

Pictured above, Te Rū Rewharewha, who lives in Gisborne, took part in the wānanga for the first time. Photo credit: Melissa Banks Photography