Huaki
1
HUAKI
“To bring to Light”
Edition 1
Friday, October 27, 2023
Hei Huarahi - Putting the Ngāpuhi back in Ngāpuhi
Nau Mai Haere Mai Welcome to the first edition of Huaki, a joint effort between Iwi and The Northland Advocate aimed at giving Maori a regional voice. Huaki will give news and updates, as well as offering Māori political viewpoint and community perspectives. It will also have columns from leaders and will focus on the achievements of people doing incredible things in the community. It will also highlight the “exciting stuff” happening in the Māori world. Lawrence gave them a korero about the area and the different encampments. As they explored the pa, different stories were told of their tupuna and the military genius they possessed. Joe Brown and his roopu Te Kahu O Te Korowai, blessed our staff and rangatahi with a beautiful experience paddling a traditional waka taua in Opua Bay of Islands. Te Kahu O Te Korowai taught the taitamariki and staff the technique of how to use and maintain the mana of the hoe (paddle).
Forty Ngāpuhi taitamariki partake in a three night wananga to reconnect themselves back to Ngāpuhi.
H
ei Huarahi is a Ngāpuhi Iwi Social Services programme that has been running since 2015. It provides for taitamariki, a space and opportunity to learn about who they are as Māori, or more specifically, to learn about who they are as Ngāpuhi. The aim of Hei Huarahi is to reconnect Ngāpuhi taitamariki within the Oranga Tamariki system to their tribal lands, and to learn the importance of knowing who you are and where you’re from. Many of our taitamariki in care have been removed from their homelands of Ngāpuhi and for many have adapted an urban culture. They may have been disconnected from their whenua, whanau, hapu, iwi, and lost sight of tikanga Māori.
Following a practice on land, they set out upon the waters of Pewhairangi aboard the waka Tū Te Mahurangi. The taitamariki and staff alike were exhilarated and inspired by the experience and appreciated the history taught by Mr Brown during their time on the waka.
The kaupapa for this most recent Hei Huarahi earlier this month was “Kia u ki to ake Mauriora - Maintain your life force and well-being.” The wananga took place at Kohewhata Marae, where the taitamariki immersed themselves in Ngāpuhi tikanga, history, knowledge, and skills that could help them to live confidently, as young Māori, within an ever changing world. Invited to the wananga was Ngati Hine Health Trust, who delivered a workshop teaching ourtaitamariki about the health effects of vaping, and the benefits of being able to breathe well. Off-site, the taitamariki travelled to Ruapekapeka Pa where NISS cadet Heeni
The publication will appear as a liftout publication in The Northern Advocate each month. In each edition, there is a chance to win a $50 Pak’N’Save voucher on our Aunty’s Garden section, sponsored by Pak’N’Save. There will also be a montly book giveaway brought to you by Lighthouse PR. If you have any stories or photos or feedback to give, please email huaki@nzme.co.nz speaking for both the hau kainga and the manuhiri. Whanau eyes were tearful with pride, seeing their moko adapt to the old ways. Whanau then joined the taitamariki for a hakari and concert night took place. The taitamariki performed an impressive kapahaka bracket they learned during the wananga. The groups presented their creative names, banners and chants to the manuhiri. Following this, the roopu who had gathered the most points received the Hei Huarahi trophy named Te-Patu-a-Rahiri.
On the last evening, the taitamariki conducted a powhiri for their whanau who lived locally, the hau kainga, and the wananga caterers. They used the knowledge taught to them by Matua Te Rangi Allen to put on a stunning powhiri. Three young wāhine took the role of kaikaranga, and 5 young Tāne stepped up, one kai karakia and four whaikorero
The taitamariki wound up their night with a kanikani on the dance floor before departing the following morning. Many wished they could extend their stay. NISS, with the support of Oranga Tamariki, offers the Hei Huarahi wananga three times a year during week two of the school holidays. This wananga is for taitamariki aged 12-17 with registration priority going to those in care.
When a life is lost on our roads, tears are cried by whānau and friends.
To our Earth Mother Papatūānuku That is One Tear Too Many – Kotahi Roimata Rawa