Ngā Tao a Hineamaru
Moerewa: Northland
It is well known that a large proportion of our Tāne Māori continue to suffer from the ongoing effects of historical trauma and colonisation.
Ngā Tao a Hinemaru, a Marae based initiative, seeks to actively make positive changes for Tāne māori, starting with a rangatahi programme that reconnects rangatahi Tāne to their identity and culture.
Activities within this programme actively teach Te Ao Māori life skills, such as Tikanga Māori, Kawa & Whakapapa. Each rangatahi gains a sense of identity and belonging through Ngā Mahi a Rēhia activities, including Mau Rakau, Kapahaka and Whaikōrero.
The Ngā Tao A Hineamaru initiative also helps Rangatahi develop skills for self-independence. Important kaupapa that are covered include: food gathering, food preparation, food consumption, as well as self-care aspects with general health education and safety. A key aspect of these wānanga includes education around suicide prevention & awareness. Learning these different aspects within a wānanga space, all help to build a strong understanding of themselves, with a look to self-independence and empowerment.
Through whanaungatanga and Aroha, the positive development of future leaders will build stronger whānau and add to the succession plans for local marae and whānau. Building strong leaders for tomorrow to embody the strong tupuna they descend from.
These skills will also help rangatahi stay strong, in the waves of life, which will also impact generations that come.
*This Whānau initiative is proudly supported by Te Au (and Te Rau Ora) through the Māori Suicide Prevention Fund (2020-2021).
