On the 26-29 April, Wairewa Rūnanga hosted the rakatahi programme, Manawa Hou.

This was a unique opportunity for 23 Kāi Tahu rakatahi, and five tuākana (all of whom whakapapa to Wairewa) to connect with Kāti Irakehu rāua ko Kāti Makō. The itinerary included a hīkoi up the mauka, Te Ūpoko o Tahumatā, visiting the Ōkana awa and seeing the 2,600 native trees planted there, a morning trip to Te Mata Hapuku (Birdlings Flat) to release tuna into the moana, visit to Ōruaka Pā and Poutaiki, marae service, awesome kōrero about the surrounding rohe, Kāi Tahu waiata, a new ngeri, and for some, support to safely explore the roles of karanga and whaikōrero.

The success of this year’s course was intricately tied to the support given by Wairewa – and especially, the time and expertise that Iaean Cranwell and Charisma Rangipunga gave the rōpū. We were fuelled with the
kai namunamuā from Ngaire Tainui, and we enjoyed the supervision and weaving skills of Whaea Linda.

On the final evening we had a big whānau night, which gave rakatahi the chance to explore the mahi of manawhenua. It included beautiful kai that they themselves spent the day preparing, served in kono that they had woven, and concluded with a presentation from rakatahi to whānau.

A big mihi to our rakatahi, tuākana group, and the Wairewa whānau for helping to create a successful hīkoi.

Manawa Hou is a four-day marae-based programme that connects rakatahi (aged 15–18 years) with our Kāi Tahu marae, whenua, kōrero, waiata and whānau. Manawa Hou is focused on developing personal attributes, and talks to the identity of rakatahi within the iwi – who they are (as an individual), as well as an active and proud iwi member. It is held annually and revolves around our different Papatipu Rūnanga.

Kōrero from Iaean Cranwell about the surrounding rohe.

Kōrero from Iaean Cranwell about the surrounding rohe.

Performing for Inuit college students from Canada’s Arctic.

Performing for Inuit college students from Canada’s Arctic.

Rōpū doing some team bonding at the marae.

Rōpū doing some team bonding at the marae.

Wairewa tamariki.

Wairewa tamariki.

Welcoming the Inuit students from Canada’s Arctic to Wairewa Marae.

Welcoming the Inuit students from Canada’s Arctic to Wairewa Marae.

Whaea Linda teaching the rakatahi some weaving skills.

Whaea Linda teaching the rakatahi some weaving skills.