Learning and Connecting with Te Kawerau ā Maki

Building an enduring relationship with Te Kawerau ā Maki is an important part of Kai West’s members understanding the whenua in which we work and our responsibilities as a collective within the wider rohe (area).

As part of this journey, members of the Kai West Collective were welcomed to Arataki by Te Kawerau ā Maki for a wānanga exploring the history, whakapapa and significance of the rohe. Hosted by Tyler Taua - Gordon, the wānanga provided an opportunity to listen, learn and deepen our understanding of the whakapapa, histories and relationships that connect Te Kawerau ā Maki to the whenua.

Throughout the kōrero, Tyler generously shared the enduring connection between Te Kawerau ā Maki and the whenua, and the responsibilities of kaitiakitanga. He also spoke about the aspirations Te Kawerau ā Maki has for the future and the importance of relationships that support the wellbeing of both people and place. 

Importantly, he described the hui as "the foundation kōrero" for future collaboration, recognising this as the beginning of a relationship and an opportunity to continue learning from and alongside one another. 

The experience resonated strongly with those attending. RJ Thomson from Glenavon Community Hub described it as "an honour and a privilege to sit, listen and gather knowledge," adding that Tyler's kōrero about "the work ahead, the responsibilities of kaitiakitanga, and the pathways being built now and into the future" helped ground Kai West's own thinking about how we work within this rohe.

Kai West Collaborations Broker Michele Eickstaed said the hui has opened the door to deeper relationships, with conversations already underway about where the relationship might lead. "We're very much looking forward to continuing the kōrero," she said. "Looking at the past stories, the current stories, and the future expectations for the place."

The day concluded with reflections from Ethan Smith, who thanked Te Kawerau ā Maki for their generosity in sharing their knowledge before leading the group in waiata. In his closing remarks, Ethan reminded everyone to acknowledge "the journeys that your tūpuna have travelled on to make this place what it is today, in the beautiful environment that we get to call our kāinga."

The wānanga reinforced that meaningful relationships begin with listening and learning. It also encouraged us to reflect on what it means to work responsibly within this rohe, recognising the mana, whakapapa and aspirations of Te Kawerau ā Maki and continuing to build the relationship in a way that is respectful, reciprocal and enduring.