Tēnā koutou, he mihi mahana ki a koutou katoa i tēnei wā. This rangatahi mōkihi/mogi and taiao wānanga is a youth programme run by our Auckland taurahere, Kāi/Ngāi Tahu Whānui ki Tāmaki Makaurau Inc., and funded by Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu.

It is designed to foster cultural connection and identity, and to build knowledge of and participation in Ngāi Tahutanga and Te Ao Māori through interactive activities and outdoor adventure in the natural environment. It is an opportunity for Ngāi Tahu rangatahi/youth (alongside tangata whenua: Te Kawerau a Maki and other rangatahi), to learn about traditional beliefs and practices – for example, how our tūpuna utilised some of the native plants in past times and turned them into useful resources.

Rangatahi will learn how to make a mōkihi or mogi (reed boat) as used by our tūpuna to travel rivers and lakes throughout Te Wai Pounamu. On a planned hīkoi through the ngahere (forest), rangatahi will also learn about Ngā Atua, for example Tāne Mahuta, God of the Forest, and his parents Papa-tū-ā-nuku and Rangi-nui, as well as traditional uses of many native plants. Te reo, including karakia are important parts of the programme and will be integrated throughout. Some understanding of te reo would be beneficial to those participating but is not a requirement for attendance.

The programme is open to rangatahi, who are interested in, and keen to be committed to the kaupapa/principles of this programme throughout the weekend.
We are hoping to have a mixture of Ngāi Tahu, Te Kawerau a Maki and other rangatahi within the group. This will be a fun learning environment for getting to know other rangatahi with similar interests – honouring and celebrating our various individual and collective strengths, similarities and differences.

The weekend-long wānanga near Te Henga/Bethells Beach (on the western fringe of Auckland), will run from 6pm Friday 9 May to 4pm Sunday 11 May. The mōkihi wānanga and building/paddling will be held at and near Karanga Camp, and the hīkoi will be in the nearby forest. The only cost to participants will be your own transport to and from the pick-up point. Other costs, such as food, accommodation and tuition are covered by funding.

If you have any questions, if you wish to apply or contribute in some way, or you have tamariki or mokopuna who may be interested, please contact Jonathan Sargisson (project manager and youth vice president, Ngāi Tahu Whānui ki Tāmaki Makaurau Inc.), as soon as possible, at [email protected] or ph. 09 817-7447 or 021 145-2630 by Monday 5 May, for an application and medical/consent form. Looking forward to hearing from you.

Ko tēnei kaupapa he taonga tuku iho ki a tātou mai i ngā tūpuna, hei taurima, hei whāngai atu ki ā tātou tamariki mokopuna. Nō reira, nau mai, haere mai koutou. Mauri Ora.

ngai tahu fund