Iwi urged to attend marae initiative (+video)

Iwi are being urged to attend a marae initiative next month that aims to revitalise tikanga (customs) and te reo (language).

Waiteti Marae and its local hapu Ngati Ngararanui will launch their first Reo and Tikanga Recovery initiative from January 8 to 13 at the marae, on the outskirts of Ngongotaha on Waiteti Rd.

The name of the week-long project is Rongoatia te Ukaipo - Regenerate the Homebase (which refers to the marae) and it is funded by Ma Te Reo, Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Maori.
Event manager Ruihapounamu Ruwhiu and her husband Karl Rangikawhiti Leonard will be leading the initiative.

Ms Ruwhiu said the project would start the journey to revitalise taonga and strengthen the roles they undertake on their marae.

"This is an opportunity for the hapu to come together and reinvigorate the whanau. The immediate needs of the marae require that we build our capacity and capability in ceremonial encounter, being karanga, whaikorero and moteatea.

"Other associated taonga are mihi, karakia, and te reo o te kautu, every day conversational language."

She said the project focussed on contextual language and was full immersion in te reo Maori at all levels.

"It's an opportunity for descendants to realise their potential, their role and the contribution they have to enhancing the identity of a strong ukaipo, homebase."

She said while the main target group was Ngati Ngararanui, it was open to whanau from surrounding marae who also required similar rejuvenation of taonga.

Those interested in attending should contact Karl Rangikawhiti Leonard or Ruihapounamu Ruwhiu on (027) 281 2832 or email karl@rakai.co.nz.