Aoraki Bound is personal and cultural journey to discover who we are as people, iwi and whānau. Fourteen strangers came together as Kupe watch, we laughed, cried and shared an amazing journey from Anakiwa to Aoraki. Some highlights included meeting and building friendships with some pretty cool people, learning about Ngāi Tahu culture and what it means to be Ngāi Tahu, tramping up Mt Royal and performing ‘Maraka, Maraka! Tahu Pōtiki!’ to the sun rising, sailing through the Marlborough Sounds, staying at marae at Arahura and Arowhenua and hearing the stories of their rohe, tramping up the Arahura River to Waitaiki, Waka ama at Lake Pūkaki and finishing a half marathon. Aoraki Bound runs in February each year and if you are interested in learning more about the iwi this is an opportunity not to miss. We had an 18 year-old and a 67 year-old (Graeme Pepper) so anyone can do it. Aoraki Matatū! Nā Jeffrey Broughton. [Read more…]
16
Apr 2017
Aoraki Bound
13
Apr 2017
Aoraki Bound
I’ve been back in the ‘real’ world now for two weeks and the memories of Aoraki Bound are still fresh. Our group is still keeping in contact and the practises are still a part of me, from wearing a watch and going for a quick dip after a run to daily karakia, using my reo and continuing with my own wānanga. My desire to learn, connect and stay true to my values and goals is still strong. So is my dislike for canned corned beef. That’s probably the only experience I’m not keen to repeat. I knew I’d learn and experience a lot but I didn’t expect this hīkoi to have such a profound impact. I knew I’d follow in the footsteps of my ancestors, that I’d get fitter and not smoke and not touch my phone for a whole 20 days. I didn’t expect to let so much go. You are given a lot and you give a lot of yourself. It’s a humbling experience. The sharing of knowledge, experience, feelings and understanding from our facilitators and group-mates was really special. It is the kind of special that can sound a bit cheesy when you’re trying to explain it back here in this world, but that doesn’t detract from how cool it was and is. If you get the opportunity to go – take it.
Manaaki whenua, manaaki tangata, haere whakamua. Nā Saelyn Guyton. [Read more…]
31
Mar 2017
This year I was presented with the opportunity to take part in Aoraki Bound and I grabbed the challenge with both hands, and tried really hard not to think about the reality of what I was about to do!
Aoraki Bound was everything and more than I expected it to be. Since I have been back everyone has been asking “What was it like?”, “What were your highlights?”. They have proven to be very hard questions to answer. For those who know me well, the best answer I have is – there wasn’t a single minute when I didn’t want to be there. I can honestly say this is the truth, every activity, every bit of pain, every laugh and conversation, every challenge, every person all contributed to an absolutely indescribable 20 days of adventure. [Read more…]
04
Dec 2016
E te uri o Hine Raukatauri, e te rika rehe, te rika tōhau nui.
Hoea tō waka ki te pae o maumahara, hai taumarumaru i tō mātou aroha mutuka kore. Waiho mātou tō tira e taki hotuhotu nei.
On 31 August the world lost an exceptional woman, precious whanauka and darling friend. To name just a few of her accomplishments Tracey was a musician par excellence, a scholar, a teacher, a NZ kayaking representative, a Coast-to-Coaster and a VSA and Raleigh International volunteer. A true citizen of the world she embraced all people, cultures and languages. It was especially moving at Tracey’s service when Pōkarekare ana was sung firstly in Timorese (Tracey had learned enough of their language to teach a group in Timor-Leste) and then in te reo. [Read more…]
26
Aug 2016
Over the weekend of 16-17July a contingent of keen ex-Aoraki Bound participants gathered in Huia (west Auckland) for a weekend of whakawhanaungatanga, celebration of Matariki and the awesomeness that is Aoraki Bound. It was a time to reflect on and celebrate the value of that experience in our lives, and to hear each other’s’ stories. This one was initiated by Rangimārie Mules and Tui Hawke-Tohiariki and co-facilitated by Tui and Jonathan Sargisson. [Read more…]
19
Aug 2016
Hoe synchronistically sink into the wind-tipped waters, pushing the waka towards the shores of Rāpaki. The doors open and we are welcomed to Wheke.
On our backs, looking up to the colourful roof, we can clearly see the tāhuhu (main ridge of the whare). There is Ranginui with his first wife, Pokohārua-te-pō. There is the waka of Aoraki, anchor rope severed and swaying — the waka that became our island. [Read more…]
26
May 2016
So why did a 32 year-old procrastinating business mentor from BNZ who never really put herself out there to do anything (unless some mates were going) decide to put herself through 20 days of intense, amazing, beautiful, awe-inspiring, physically demanding, mentally and emotionally challenging craziness with 13 strangers? This was the question I asked myself during my epic journey of a life-time that was Aoraki Bound in March 2016. [Read more…]
09
May 2016
Aoraki Bound experience
Ngā manaakitanga o te wā ki a koutou katoa.
Aspiration – what is it? I think most people would say it is a hope or ambition towards achieving something. Very few would say its other meaning; the process of drawing breath. In February I was part of Kupe 614, a nervous but eager few who were embarking on the journey of Aoraki Bound. The whakataukī encompassing this journey was: “Ekea kā tiritiri o te Moana – ascend to the heights of your aspiration”. Right from the get go it was no walk in the park and needless to say, it wasn’t long until I felt at the top of my breathing capability. [Read more…]
29
Mar 2016
In February my Mum Rowena Fulham (Ngāi Tahu – Ngāti Irakehu) completed Aoraki Bound – although, “completing” doesn’t do it justice – she absolutely smashed it. Her latest achievement isn’t a surprise to me because she has never had a limit in place as to what she will do. It’s what I admire most about her. Seven years ago I had the opportunity to take part in Aoraki Bound myself. My experience didn’t quite go to plan. There was an emergency helicopter ride and a flight to Christchurch from Greymouth in a somewhat questionable plaster cast on a broken arm, and equally questionable hospital gown. So since then, I’ve been ‘that Sarah.’ It’s nice to hear the general response has become, “Oh, you’re Rowena’s Sarah.” I walk a little taller now, that’s the gift Mum has given me. She carried me with her in February – so in a way I got to get a little closer to that finish line. Below is Mum’s experience in her own words. I hope her words encourage many more Ngāi Tahu whānau to take on the challenge of Aoraki Bound. Nā Sarah Fulham. [Read more…]
11
May 2015
Tēnā koutou katoa, this pakiwaitara was written during our haereka on the Aoraki Bound course in March. It talks about two taniwha and the personal choice we all have in deciding which one we continue to feed and fuel during the challenges we face in life.
Kā mihi nui ki kā kaimahi o Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu mō te wheako nei, ā, mō ā mātou karahipi. Nō reira tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa. [Read more…]
20
Apr 2015
On 2 February, the first Aoraki Bound course kicked off for the year. Here are three accounts from three Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu kaimahi who were fortunate enough to have been on the journey.
Morgan Lee
I arrived at Anakiwa not really knowing what to expect. Past alumni of Aoraki Bound had told me the course would be life-changing but I felt a little sceptical. Now, after experiencing the course, I can certainly say that, Aoraki Bound has changed the way I see the world. [Read more…]
23
Nov 2014
It has been six years since ‘Kupe 2008’ completed Aoraki Bound at Anakiwa and we’re still managing to get together to catch-up and kōrero once a year.
These days it’s not about the 6am runs and swims, rank poly-props or our camp cooking, it’s about our Aoraki Bound whānau. Two of our group members have started families with their partners and we have welcomed four new tamariki.
Each year ‘Kupe 2008’ meet at a different location, normally near where one of the group lives including Tāmaki Makaurau, Te Whanganui-a-Tara, Kaikōura and Ōtautahi. As well as catching up, we normally head out for a walk and take part in community service activities. [Read more…]
22
Apr 2014
This Aoraki Bound course saw the first wave of second generation participants taking part in the haerenga.
Two children of previous participants, influenced and inspired by their parents’ Aoraki Bound journey, took up the challenge and experienced it for themselves. Aged from 18 to 47, the group included an artist, builder, doctor-to-be, youth mentor, a Treaty settlements analyst from TPK, savvy visual media communications guy, tribal policy analyst, iwi, taurahere and Pākehā.
Descendants from Awarua, Ōtākou, Te Taumutu, Waihōpai, Kaikōura, Moeraki, Arowhenua, Ngāti Wheke, Ngāi Tūāhuriri, Ōraka Aparima, Wairewa, Makaawhio and Puketeraki – and others not of Ngāi Tahu descent – were connected by their passion for the kaupapa. [Read more…]
09
Apr 2013
Aoraki Bound
What is Aoraki Bound?
Aoraki Bound is a cultural and personal development programme combining Ngāi Tahu cultural knowledge and expertise with the experience and reputation of Outward Bound in a 20-day journey-based course that builds leadership, cultural awareness and personal development. Aoraki Bound students spend eight days at the Outward Bound facility at Anakiwa, Queen Charlotte Sound and 12 days on a hīkoi (journey) from Anakiwa to the base of Aoraki. [Read more…]
12
Dec 2012
Aoraki Bound
Aoraki Bound is a cultural and personal development programme combining Ngāi Tahu cultural knowledge and expertise with the experience and reputation of Outward Bound in a 20-day journey-based course that builds leadership, cultural awareness and personal development. Aoraki Bound students spend 8 days at the Outward Bound facility at Anakiwa, Queen Charlotte Sound and 12 days on a hīkoi
(journey) from Anakiwa to the base of Aoraki.
Get involved
There are only 28 places on the 2013 programmes, so apply now!
2nd Kahuru (February) 21st Kahuru (February)
3rd Kahuru-kai-paeka (March) 22nd Kahuru-kai-paeka (March)
Only 14 places per course!
Mail us on: [email protected]
Call us on: 0800 KAI TAHU (5248248)
‘Like’ us on Facebook
Check out our website www.aorakibound.co.nz – for alumni stories, forms, funding info and more.
06
Nov 2012
Aoraki Bound
Aoraki Bound is a cultural and personal development programme combining Ngāi Tahu cultural knowledge and expertise with the experience and reputation of Outward Bound in a 20-day journey-based course that builds leadership, cultural awareness and personal development. Aoraki Bound students spend 8 days at the Outward Bound facility at Anakiwa, Queen Charlotte Sound and 12 days on a hīkoi
(journey) from Anakiwa to the base of Aoraki.
Get involved
There are only 28 places on the 2013 programmes, so apply now!
2nd Kahuru (February) 21st Kahuru (February)
3rd Kahuru-kai-paeka (March) 22nd Kahuru-kai-paeka (March)
Only 14 places per course!
Mail us on: [email protected]
Call us on: 0800 KAI TAHU (5248248)
‘Like’ us on Facebook
Check out our website www.aorakibound.co.nz – for alumni stories, forms, funding info and more.
18
Sep 2012
Aoraki Bound
Kia ora koutou, see below the 2013 Aoraki Bound dates:
Aoraki Bound 15: Sunday 2 February – Friday 21 February
Aoraki Bound 16: Sunday 3 March – Friday 22 March
New to the game? Heard about Aoraki Bound but don’t know much else? Get in touch with us – we can’t give too much away but our photos will give you a good indication of what you can expect – although the photos can’t fully encapsulate the pride, learning, strength and courage that will pour out of your pores at the end of three weeks! [Read more…]