Ngāti Pāoa ki Waiheke roopū update

September Wananga

During the month of September was a hive of activity.  We had another amazing opportunity to host Tākuta Ihirangi Heke as a facilitator for our wānanga  tuarua to discuss the whakapapa (interconnectedness) of biodiversity from the forests on land to the forests within our moana. It was a suggestion from last year's wānanga to capture an audience of Ngāti Pāoa whanau that were unable to join us then, to invite them along with those that wished to continue the learnings from Ihirangi. He did not let us down. His self deprecating humour broke the nervousness of being present, nothing was sacred over the weekend which was good. Laughter was heard throughout the weekend which helped cement the matauranga that we were learning. It felt that those that were there were meant to be there. That was always going to be the case. 

The uptake was quite overwhelming. It was heart warming to have a room full of rangatahi soaking up the whanaungatanga and connecting with people they knew existed but had never met before. 

Our people were being nourished, not only from the kai being fed to us all weekend but also from the knowledge that what was being taught brought Te Ao Māori to the forefront. This gave us the greatest insight that we could carry on the journey that connected us to place (whenua) Knowledge (matauranga), People (ngā tangata) and action (kaitiakitanga) to encourage our rangatahi to continue working within the taiao as our successors.

Our Pāoa rangatahi that attended were also able to spend an evening with local youth on island by attending a movie night which booked the entire theatre - thanks to our lovely Pāoa rangatahi who lives on island and holds this portfolio as a prefect at the local high school.

Saturday was a day to spend in the Ngahere walking through to Cascade falls, this captured the matauranga that we learnt in the morning of the connections we have as ira tangata to the wai that is held through all aspects of the taiao. Hononga ki te rangi, ki te whenua, ki te moana ki ngā ira tangata. The water is what tells our story.

Sunday saw us occupy the shores of Enclosure Bay, learning games to highlight the importance of understanding our purpose, to being able to connect with our ngahere (Kelp Garden) by snorkeling out through the channel to witness the amazing mahi that has been happening through our pipi and the teachings of why from our manawhenua Kelp Garden co-ordinator. Everyone came out from the water with kina to share and learn the importance of Te Whare Tapa Wha (holistic way of nurturing and caring for each other) to keep ourselves safe. 

A very enriching wananga, all our whanau went back to their homes with their kete overflowing. The feedback from this wananga was exceptional. 

October reflections

Coming out from our September wananga, we went straight into reflections with Rachael Trotman from CSI (Centre for Social Impact). This gave us a view into how far we had come from last year's meeting to discuss what are our moemoea (aspirations) within WMP to see us achieve all we wanted too plus more. We saw and felt us grow as a unit as we went through all we had done. What came from this is a feeling of richness as uri ō Pāoa, being able to action kaitiakitanga around the motu and within our moana, but to also connect the matauranga deeply within the project. An opportunity to hear our voices and for us to stand proud of what we have done together within the past year.

Leigh Takirau

Kaiwhakatere Mana Whenua ~ Co-Navigator

November 2025