Hawaiki Ora

Combined Wāhine and Tāne Wellness Wānanga

28 - 30 April Waikawa Marae, Marlborough

Hawaiki Kura presents Hawaiki Ora a kaupapa Māori wellness and empowerment wānanga designed specifically for tāne and wāhine. We have created a space for our wāhine and tāne to recharge and re-energise their mauri and wairua while connecting to the Hawaiki Kura community.

Hawaiki Kura is excited to announce that the Hawaiki Kura Charitable Trust has received funding from the Lion Foundation which will go towards delivering this wānanga.  

Hawaiki Ora is grounded in the traditional framework of wānanga, we believe that wānanga is a process and system that resonates with our community. Wānanga provides us with the space to push back against the intergenerational effects of colonisation. To re-indigenise our spaces and ourselves and start the process of healing intergenerational health issues for our people.

This wānanga is for Māori and non-Maori. Rangatahi aged 15-17 years are welcome and it is preferred that an adult accompanies them.

During this wānanga participants will learn different taonga tuku iho (ancestral gifts) and how to implement them in their everyday lives to promote oranga, mental well-being, and how to teach these taonga tuku iho to their whānau. We consider these taonga tuku iho to be rongoā or holistic indigenous medicine.

Some of the main taonga tuku iho taught include:

Mau rākau

Mau rākau teaches self and collective discipline, and cultural pride and is the foundation of all of our wānanga. Cultural pride creates confidence and resilience. Discipline is important to provide structure in a sometimes chaotic world. Mau rākau also requires focus and therefore helps to still the mind.

Karakia

Teaching karakia and how to apply them in a modern-day context in order to tend to te taha wairua and te taha hinengaro. Mental well-being is enhanced through reciting karakia as it can help summon courage and strength, show gratitude, connect to the environment and call upon abundance.

Whakatau mauri

There are many emotional and physical benefits to meditation. Māori meditation allows our participants to tend to their internal maara kai, to look within, to settle the hinengaro and wairua and pull out some of the deep-rooted weeds.

Te reo Rangatira

The wānanga will be bilingually taught in te reo Māori and English, however, a focus will be to encourage participants to reclaim te reo Māori and to speak te reo Māori. They will learn basic te reo Māori words and sentences and learn waiata, haka and karakia. Uplifting cultural capacity through learning te reo Māori helps to develop mentally robust individuals by increasing self-esteem.

Hono ki te taiao

Connecting to the taiao including whenua, awa, moana is an important aspect of our wānanga. We visit different marae and wāhi tapu, connecting to them while learning the whakapapa and pūrākau associated with them. Connection to the taiao helps create a sense of belonging.

Ngā Kawenga

Rites of passages including tohi and pure ceremonies tend to mental well-being. They are important rituals used to clear away mamae and to cement the learning and transformative process the tauira embarked on throughout the wānanga. Rites of passage also help create a sense of order in one’s life journey.

Te tū o te Wāhine/Tāne

The exploration of the traditional roles males and females had in Māori society and how to reinterpret those roles in modern society. Ancestral role modelling can help rangatahi find their own role or purpose in society strengthening one’s self-worth.

Māori models of health

We also teach different models of Māori health within the wānanga, examples being ‘Te Whare Tapa Whā’, ‘Mai i te kore ki te ao mārama’ and the Hawaiki Kura model. Māori health models are holistic and always include a mental health aspect.

Te Kawa O Te Ako / Code of Conduct Guidelines

A high standard of behaviour is required from all attendees at wānanga. Tikanga and kawa (marae protocol) guide all that we do. This policy outlines how participants are expected to conduct themselves. All individuals are to read this policy and become familiar with and abide by these rules, kawa (protocol) and tikanga (accepted practices and customs) at all times.

Expectations:

Appropriate behaviour is required at all times, including respecting all people and property. Take note of emergency procedures and follow instructions of the facilitators in the event of an emergency. Report any accidents or incidents to the person in charge.

Zero tolerance:

Absolutely no alcohol or drugs are permitted to be consumed whilst on-site or prior to arriving on-site. Anyone suspected of being under the influence of alcohol or drugs will be asked and required to leave without delay.

Aggressive, abusive, intimidating or bullying behaviour of any sort will not be tolerated. Anyone who displays such behaviour will be asked and required to leave without delay. Non-observance may also result in participants being disallowed to attend other events.

Smoking or vaping is only permitted during breaks.