Staff Wānanga to Te Āwhina Marae

On the 18th and 19th of November, Ngāti Tama staff attended a 2-day staff wānanga hosted at Te Āwhina Marae in Motueka. Regular wānanga with staff support professional development and build a deeper understanding of Ngāti Tama cultural spaces and hītori. Staff were treated to beautiful kōrero about the whare, the pou and tukutuku panels that adorn the inside, and the pou that stand in the front of the whare. Staff were taken around the rohe to visit our schools returned to Ngāti Tama as part of settlement, including Ngatimoti, Tasman School and Mahana School where Pouwhenua will be erected. The first Ngāti Tama Pouwhenua was erected at Motupipi School in Takaka in December of 2019. Staff also visited the Te Puna o Riuwaka, it is where the northern branch of the Riuwaka River rises from caverns deep below the Takaka Hill. The water, as pure as Pupū Springs, runs through marble rocks and passages down to the foot of the hill to spring out into a deep, crystalclear pool. The river tumbles on down the hill through a series of pools, including the stunning Crystal Pool.

He Rau Mahara

Makete Pō – Night Market

He Rau Mahara, the book launch for Te Āwhina Marae. The day will begin with a pōwhiri at 11am followed by the book launch and hākari. The festivities are looking to be completed by 2pm. A Mākete Pō – Night Market will commence at 5pm and finish at 9pm.

Te Puna o Riuwaka is regarded as a supernatural place where some would come to cleanse and heal their bodies and sustain their spirits. Staff also learned Te Āwhina Marae is launching their marae book on Saturday 9th of January. The book, written by Pohe Stephens, explores the history of the pā and brings to paper the kōrero of the whare and pou.