At the beginning of December 2018 we went on a haerenga to Makaawhio (Bruce Bay) with 12 of our students and three staff members. As one of our kaimahi has whakapapa connections to Te Tauraka Waka-ā-Maui Marae this was an easy place to start. In addition, we have started conversations with Kāti Waewae, the other key stakeholder in Pounamu Ngāi Tahu.
Our haerenga had the purpose of connecting our rangatahi with the awa and whakapapa of pounamu. In addition to this, the whakawhanaungatanga, manaakitanga and empowerment which was developed amongst these rangatahi was more than we could have ever imagined.
Whānau shared that this experience was life-changing. The students were amazed as they learnt more and more about this amazing kaupapa and the whakaaro Māori which they learnt along the journey. The ākonga have connected with this kaupapa and are hungry for more.