Kaitiakitanga
Kaitiakitanga Program and Network
Te Whaiti Nui-a-Toi children
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Kaitiakitanga |
Kaitiakitanga Program and Network |
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3.10b Taiaha Wananga - Project Details:Description: For the May 2005 holiday programme Clarke Mason took some of our young boys to Mokoia Isaland Rotorua for a Taiaha Wananga (Training Camp for traditional knowledge). Click here to read the full report at the bottom of this page.
Report by Clarke Mason, Minginui Whanau Support who supervised our group - Monday. 30 May 2005 This programme was set up by a Te Arawa koraua by the name of Mita Mohi back in the early 1980’s. We departed Minginui on the 17/04/2005 at 11:15 am by way of the Te Kohanga Reo Minginui — Te Whaiti van; our group consisted of 9 boys and myself. We arrived at Lake Rotorua wharf about 12:15 pm where there was a large group of people waiting for the ferry that was to take us all over to Mokoia Island. There were two ferries, one to take the gear over and one to take those who were involved in the wananga for the next five days. That afternoon was mainly to set up camp and where everybody was to sleep. Some bought their own tents but the majority slept in a large marquee. At first there was not enough room for every one but once one of the tutor’s made people close up the gaps we were able to all fit in. Next time I would suggest we take our own tents across. As we still had a few hours to go before we were to have our first Hui and tea people just chilled out or reacquainted themselves as some had been on previous wananga together. About 6:00 p.m. everybody were called to a place known as the “Rock” where most Hui’s were to take place during our stay on Mokoia Island. First of all Koro Mita, as everyone on the wananga was to call Mita Mohi, gave a karakia before introducing all of the people that were to do most of the mahi. Then he explained all the important ground rules that we were to follow while we stayed on the Mokoia Island but also if there were any he missed the tutors that were to take the different groups what bring up whenever they thought necessary. As I found out this wananga involved from most Iwi and hapu from the Far North to the South Island. The next phase was the introduction by everyone; that included all the tamariki as well. After that the main tutor by the name of Boy Thompson explained how each day would begin and how they would end and this would take place at the site called the “Rock”. Everybody was to be at the Rock by 7 a.m. every morning and around about 7 am at night depending what time tea was ready, because after tea is when speakers were asked to stand up and talk about their particular kaupapa. This I found was the time when the adults in the group spoke about and talked about their trials and tribulations that bought them to this particular wananga whether they were returning or like myself first timers. Over the next few days I was to experience events that would give me strength and faith to achieve goals that I have set myself both short and long term. One particular event that occurred daily that most of us looked forward to, especially our group, was when all the groups met at a place called Tonga Place for Tapa Wha. This is when all the groups showed how far they had progressed, to me it was very rewarding to watch our ‘Tamariki and Te Rangtahi” giving it their all and also our group which was the smallest by far. It was amazing to see the actual transformation in behaviour of the boys especially the mischievous ones. By Monday afternoon all our boys had intermingled with all the other boys really well. There were two places to bath one was the lake and the other was a pool called Hinemoa’s Pool on a site called Waikimihia. This pool was filled with hot water regularly due to it going lukewarm after a few days depending on the weather. Koro Mita or some other adult usually did this, from the hapu who were decedents of this island. If you wanted to find any of the boys that were missing from the campsite when they should not be then the Waikimihia is more than likely the place they are likely to be. One rule about being at the pool was there had to an adult or a Kaiako present before Nga Tamariki were allowed there and also only Nga Pakeke were allowed during the hours of darkness. There were occasions when those who came as groups who needed to have time out sessions or preparing a kaupapa they would show the rest of group, then permission was usually granted by asking Koro Mita or a Kajako. A group did an example I would like to use for a time out session from Hamilton. This organisation dealt with youth who were drug addicts, alcoholics, abused physically and mentally. They were mainly from broken homes and off the street and had nowhere to go, so for six months or more depending on the individual, this group gave them a chance to rehabilitate themselves. If the person wanted to leave the place before the six months was up well it was okay. Every night while we were there, this group would go with one of their supervisors to the pool to have talks with them on how they feel and what do they think they achieved that particular day. There were three supervisors and two of them had to pull out of our group due to some of their boys having problems of fitting in and wanting to leave the program. So for the rest of the week these guys had to be with their boys to help them settle in. I found this out as I thought what this group was doing for young people was awesome and I wanted to know more about them. The groups were put into three categories: The Pakeke group timetable was different to the rest of group only in that we started earlier than rest. The Agenda
This was the routine to be followed with little changes here and there until Thursday, which was Parent’s Day, called that because most of the Tauira were tamariki and rangatahi. This is when the display of all the “mahi” done by all was shown to all whanau who will come across from the mainland. It was both a happy and sad day for us as we would farewell some of group that were leaving a day earlier than the official leaving day. The Friday was the official final day on the Island so before we left we had to ensure we left it in the same condition or better than it was when we first arrived. During my stay there I made connections with some people that I hope I can keep contact with in the near and far future; most who will benefit both this organisation and myself. We had ups and downs but they were solved to the best of our ability to suit individuals involved. There was something very important that I learnt from this wananga. It was that if we try hard enough we could all live harmony no matter what Hapu, Iwi or race you come from and also we do not need to use physical or mental abuse to get through to our tamariki and one another. Overall like most things I believe I need to give it another go to get a better perspective of the actual outcomes for those boys I took and myself Last and most important I believe was that overall the boys acquitted themselves very well in this new environment, as there was much apprehension and excitement before we arrived. Their behaviour was very good most times and also as stated previously they made many new friends. I do not hesitate to recommend that we take more boys on this wananga. Clarke Mason
Outcomes expected: Our youth build skills, discipline and self confidence Start Date: 17/04/05 Budget: Funded from Whanau Support Holiday Programme Nominal Project Leader: Clarke Mason who supervised our group on the trip. Project Team: Minginui Whanau Support Group Issues Register:
Progress Log
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Mokoia Island - a sacred place
A cool place we reached by boat
Koro Mita who we called Mita Mohi
Work time
Listening