14 Nov He Whenua Pukepuke, He Maunga Kōrero: Mātaiao Ki Tamaki

“He whenua pukepuke, he maunga kōrero”

In early October, our Mātaiao ki Tamaki team facilitated their very first wānanga at Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Kotuku. A mix of kura and organisations attended this wānanga, including Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Moananui a Kiwa, Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ngā Maungarongo, He Oranga Poutama and the national Mātaiao crew. 

Papa Hemi Tai Tin led the first day, delving into whakapapa atua, ngā pūrākau o te rohe and our connections with the maunga. The wānanga began at Maungawhau, continued at Owairaka, and ended in Te Waonui o Tiriwa at Pukematakeo. The wānanga covered 19 kms of maunga kōrero all while observing and listening to the taiao. 

The evening wānanga session was run by Earle Karini who discussed the foundations and growth that has come to fruition for Mātaiao. The kōrero was thought-provoking and illuminating for many of the attendees, shedding light on how taiao-centric lesson planning, grounded in Mātauranga Māori, can benefit kaiako, kura, and iwi. It was also encouraging hearing about the lessons and accomplishments Mātaiao has achieved thus far in the kaupapa.

On day two, the wānanga crew spent the morning in Te Rau o Te Huia jogging the grounds on the Karamatura loop, a place known for its abundance of seafood and other natural resources. Mātaiao Pouārahi, Kimiora, Oriwia, and Basil continued to share rākau kōrero, tātai whakapapa and activities that could be applied to both kaiako and tauira within the ngahere.

Me mihi ka tika ki te kaupapa, ki ngā kaiārahi, ngā mātauranga e akona ai e tātou, ōtira, ki tō tātou taiao. “Mā te mātauranga tuku iho, ka tipu, ka ora, ka toi tangata e!”