21 Dec Nau mai Erana and Steph, Growing the Puna 2023/24
For our 2023/24 Growing the Puna intake, we welcome two new interns to the Toi Tangata whānau: Erana Barlow (Ngāti Whātua, Ngāti Hikairo) and Steph Jasperse (Kai Tahu, Waitaha). We look forward to sharing our 10th year of Growing the Puna with Erana and Steph.
Erana Barlow
Ki te taha o tōku koro,
Ko Pirongia Te Aroaro o Kahu te maunga
Ko ōpārau te awa
Ko Kāwhia te mōana
Ko Tainui te waka
Ko Ngāti Hikairo te iwi
Ko Waipapa te marae.
Ki te taha o tōku kui,
Ko Tutamoe te maunga
Ko Wairoa te awa
Ko Mahuhu ki te rangi te waka
Ko Ngāti Whātua ki Kaipara te iwi
Ko Ngāti Torehina te Hapū
Ko Taita te marae.
I have come to the end of my time studying a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Nutrition and am now embarking on a journey to apply this knowledge, exploring how it can contribute to Te Ao Māori. Being a part of the Toi Tangata Summer internship has afforded me the opportunity to learn, engage, and enhance my skills in Mātauranga Māori, particularly in the context of hauora and kai. I am eager to delve further into māra kai, maramataka, and their implications for wahine and their īkura.
Having this opportunity to learn from knowledgeable Māori who are passionate about improving Māori health, specifically through kai, is a privilege. Drawing from these experiences, connections, and newfound knowledge, I see an excellent opportunity to bring a holistic Mātauranga Māori perspective to support our whanau in urban settings. My goal is to connect our whānau in metropolitan cities to te Taiao through kai, fostering a deeper connection to our environment and well-being.
Stephanie Jasperse
Kō Mihiwaka tōku Maunga
Kō Pūrakaunui tōku Awa
Kō Arai Te Uru tōku Moana
Kō Takitimu, Uruao me Arai Te Uru ōku Waka
Kō Kai Tahu, Waitaha ōku Iwi
Kō Kāti Huirapa toku Hapū
Kō Māpoutahi te Pā
Kō Pūketeraki me Ōtākou ōku Marae
Kia ora, Kō Steph tāku ingoa.
I was born and raised in Ōtepoti and am currently in my fourth year of a Bachelor of Science at the University of Otago, majoring in Nutrition and Sport Science.
Throughout my studies and upbringing, a passion has emerged within me to create equitable opportunities for Māori to develop literacy surrounding their health and well-being. For me, this entails moving beyond Western perspectives of what kai and mahi can look like, and embracing the learning opportunities available to us within te taiao.
As I embark on this internship, I am excited to open myself to learning from those around me and become part of a space created by Māori, for Māori. In a time of changing perspectives, it is crucial that Māori voices are not only represented but also heard and understood. By deepening my understanding of my own ancestral journey and being guided by my tīpuna, I aim to foster and develop a greater understanding of the journeys of others.