Te Wānanga o Aroha Te Wānanga Ihorangi is much more than one of Aotearoa’s first Christian te reo Māori wānanga (education in a Māori cultural context). It’s also a place where mana (authority and influence) is enhanced thanks to tireless mahi (work), allowing tikanga (traditional values) to flourish with te reo. Ben Mack investigates. In the Gospels in the New Testament
promotes te reo Māori and tikanga. Two
of the Bible, Jesus speaks of faith
full-immersion, full-time diplomas are
withering on the vine. ‘If you do not
offered, delivered in partnership with
remain in me, you are like a branch
Laidlaw College.
that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned’ (John 15:6). Language, culture and connection can wither, too—but a whakapono (community)based language school is looking to help people flourish. Reverend Te Karere Scarborough (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Hauā) is the tumuaki (co-principal) at Te Wānanga Ihorangi and explains that it is an interdenominational, faith-based wānanga that teaches, uplifts and
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Pēpuere February 2024
‘We are a faith community that wants to see all people loving and speaking te reo Māori,’ says Scarborough. ‘We see our
Like the mighty pōhutukawa and rimu trees starting from small seedlings, Te Wānanga Ihorangi’s beginnings are humble.
campus, faculty and students all moving towards wholeness and healing.’ The wānanga’s vision and mission are captured in its organisation whakatauākī (proverb): ‘Ko te reo te kauwaka o taku whakapono’, ‘The language is the sacred vessel of my faith’.
Equipping the saints With the flourishing of te reo and tikanga, it’s a kaupapa (principle) Scarborough is honoured to be a part of. ‘When someone finally gets the confidence to stand and speak in te reo Māori, their heart language, we feel God in the room ... it is amazing.’ He adds, ‘Only 7.9 percent of the Māori population
