A group of Ngāi Tahu rangatahi (youth) went on a hīkoi around Te Pātaka a Rakaihautu exploring their Ngāi Tahu identity. The hīkoi is part of Manawa Hou, an initiative designed by the office of Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, to pass on knowledge of traditions, history and stories to help rangatahi get a sense of their Ngāi Tahu identity. This hīkoi was based at Ōnuku Marae, where rangatahi explored the historic peninsula, travelling to places cultural significance and heard the stories of their ancestors.

“The idea of the hīkoi is to take them to some of the places of our ancestors and help them to develop a sense of who they are as Ngāi Tahu,” Tā Tipene O’Regan said. “The hīkoi allows them to practice and enjoy some of the cultural traditions and to be participants rather than observers. It’s also important that the rangatahi meet each other so that the tribal inter-relationships are personal rather than just theoretical or academic – so they get to know each other as people.”

Year 13 student, Rerehu Lousi travelled from Hamilton to be part of Manawa Hou. “I really enjoyed Manawa Hou, I met heaps of new people and learnt a lot about my history,” said Rerehu. “I have been told about my Ngāi Tahu side, but I have never actually lived it the way we have for the past two-days.”

Manawa Hou is a long-term programme with the vision of eventually having four per year in different parts of Te Waipounamu. The next hīkoi will be early in 2015.

Manawa Hou rōpū pulling the waka ashore.

Manawa Hou rōpū pulling the waka ashore.