19 Dec Tama Tū
Kia ora rā e te whānau, Moehau Husband here sharing an insight into an awesome kaupapa I have thoroughly enjoyed called TAMA TŪ. As an educator, a proud father, a day one Warrior and a board member of Toi Tangata I have been meaning to prioritise my health. I went from a very active and energetic sports person with plenty of talent – including the best personal chef in town (mum) – to a typical dad bod turned sports commentator in the blink of an eye who loves rugby league, Weber bbqs and beersies. Something had to give. Let’s blame Covid. However, no excuses because the biggest challenge was not competing with anyone else but myself.
As an urban Māori somewhat disconnected to his reo and identity, I have been inspired by kaupapa Māori. By Māori, for Māori and about Māori. While still considered to be a rangatahi (although somewhat in the latter stages) I realised my whanau, tamariki, and health deserve the attention. Not only my physical health but more importantly my mental health. Whilst currently on a sabbatical studying a Masters of Māori Medium Education at Te Wānanga o Raukawa I wanted to strengthen my Whare Tapa Whā. That being said, I was introduced to the kaupapa Māori, Tama Tū, at the Toi Tangata Hui ā Tau.
They are a great bunch of Māori men with the intention of being around for their mokopuna and being great role models for their kids. From vibing at 5.30am for a kori to crawling to mahi from thereon in, we encouraged each other to eat and drink sensibly and not to forget those 10k steps each day. All shapes and sizes, freaks and beasts, to slow, fat and ugly peeps like myself. These kahi’s are on! For me, engaging in te reo Māori and whakaaro Māori about our hauora four days a week is a huge win. The consistent communication and motivation kept the bros accountable, connected, and acknowledged. Chur Tama Tū – a big mihi to the mahi that you are doing. Stay hearty, stay hungry, and stay humble.
Nau mai a Tama Tū, nau mai a Hine Tū. Werohia kia rongo! He kaupapa hauora tēnei mō te ira tāne me te ira wāhine. Ko te hōtaka mā ngā tāne e kī ana ko Tama tū, Ko te hōtaka mā ngā wāhine e kī ana ko Hine tū. E whakatīnana ana te whakataukī nei; tama tū tama ora, tama noho tama mate. Ko ōna poupou ko Te Whare Tapa Whā, ko tōna tāhūhū ko te hauora, ko tōna poutokomanawa ko te whanaungatanga, ā, ko tōna tūāpapa ko Te Reo me ōna Tikanga.
Ko te toa tuatahi ko te oho, ko te toa tuarua ko te kori, ko te toa tuatoru ko te whakaaro ki a tātou anō. He momo kāhui a Tama Tū a Hine tū te kitea whānuitia. Ahakoa kei runga ipurangi te kawe ka rongo tonu i te mana i te mauri o te kaupapa. He whāinga ōna, arā, ko te kori, ko te kai pai, ko te wai pai me te tunu i te hinu. Kei te tihi o whakaaro ko tō ara hauora me tō tū ki te tiaki i tō pā. Ka whāngaitia tō tinana ka arohatia tō whānau. Ahakoa tō pakari, ahakoa tō rahi ki te whai wāhi atu ki ngā tauā arā noa atu ngā momo hua. Patua kia mōhio, werohia kia rongo. E mihi ana ki ngā upoko, ki ngā ringaringa me ngā waewae e whawhati kō ana i roto i ngā wiki, i ngā marama, i ngā tau. Kātahi te kaupapa rangatira ko tēnei.
Learn more about Tama Tū here.
And learn more about Hine Tū here.
To hear more about the kaupapa from its founders, Te Irirangi and Pene Tawhara, check out the workshop they delivered at the Toi Tangata Hui ā Tau 2022 here.
Lewin (Moehau) Husband
Lewin is a registered teacher who has taught in both full immersion and bilingual settings. He has a strong commitment to education, te reo Māori, physical activity, media studies and music. He is a graduate of Ka Eke Poutama through Te Whare Hukahuka and holds many qualifications in education, Māori media, sport and rec and te reo Māori. Lewin is also a member of the Toi Tangata Board of Trustees.