Erina Wehi - Te Kura Taiao o te Nehenehenui/Maniapoto Waka Ama Paddlers.
Te Kura Taiao o te Nehenehenui is an initiative that involves tamariki and rangatahi from Maniapoto Rereahu, strives to connects children to the natural environment. Teaching our younger generation on how to look after the forests, and aquatic eco systems is to build future kaitiaki (caretakers) of the land. This involves activities in the great outdoors across New Zealand, places such as the King Country, Kapiti Island, Nelson, Taranaki and our rivers and moana. Also, part of youth engagement, the Maniapoto Waka Ama paddlers is the beginning of growing the Waka Ama capacity in the valley of Te Nehenehenui.
Te Kura Taiao ō te Nehenehenui initiative was identified by Erina, as a need to connect our youth with their natural environment and to build future Taiao Rangers (kaitiaki-guardians) of the natural world. Erina also has begun the Maniapoto Waka Ama paddlers to grow the passion for the sport of Waka Ama and to give our children who are located in the Central North Island, the same opportunities as other coastal towns. These initiatives generate connections for our children and opportunities to traditional teachings and water sports. The barriers encountered were the normal travel, time, budget however, these were mitigated through whanau support, sponsorship and coaches. Through the management of these initiatives, in the initial stages, the social norms and attitudes within the children, naturally progressed through the learning of respect for the environment, and evolving to growing respect to the people around them.
Te Kura Taiao o te Nehenehenui has travelled around New Zealand conducting activities such as;
* Hunting & Fishing,
* Water Safety awareness,
* Conservation,
* attending conferences such as the World Healing Indigenous Conference in Canada on the 16 Sep 2023,
* attending science forums,
* regional board meetings, and
* engaging with organisations from Ministry, and environmental agencies.
Maniapoto Waka Ama paddlers established in March 2023 and has achieved so much in the short time since the girls started. The paddlers travelled to training fortnightly leaving from Te Kuiti to Hamilton one week and Auckland the following week for 8 weeks. This was a commitment by the girls, whanau and coaches but also included fundraising and sponsorship to enable the paddlers to attend national and international competitions. Within the seven months of commitment, every opportunity was taken to train. The paddlers made the National Secondary School finals in Rotorua in March 2023 and, competed in the Trans Tasman Gubbi Gubbi Championship on the Sunshine Coast, Australia in September 2023.
Te Kura Taiao ō te Nehenehenui commitment is demonstrated throughout the 12 months by way of the opportunities provided to the children and their journey they were able to travel and learn both in New Zealand but also overseas. The local, regional, national and international experiences are life long memories that will add to their kete of knowledge as they grow into future leaders and kaitiaki-guardians. These initiatives are committed to growing our children in a safe and nurturing environment. Through sport and recreational activities in the natural world, the children have developed and excelled in their own growth and identity.
The initiatives throughout the 12 months has provided opportunities to the children at a local, regional, national and international level. The experiences through sport and recreational activities in the natural environment are integrated as a normal part of their life. Opportunities such as;
* Hunting & Fishing,
* Water Safety awareness,
* Conservation,
* attending local to international conferences,
* attending scientific forums,
* regional board meetings, and
* engaging with organisations from Ministry, and environmental agencies.
* waka ama.
These experiences are providing new learning and traditional cultural knowledge.
Te Kura Taiao o te Nehenehenui was established in 2012 and is maintaining and growing student participation. Partnerships have been established and grown with organisations around New Zealand in support of the initiative. Maniapoto Waka Ama Paddlers started in March 2023, and is the beginning of building Waka Ama capability in the Valley of Te Nehenehenui.
