Whiria te tai Poutini (Weave the West Coast)

Some of our Senior students recently participated in a wananga run by Whirwhiria Trust at Tauraka Waka A Maui marae in Bruce Bay.

Whiriwhiria Trust run a leadership development kaupapa called Whiria te Tai Poutini (Weave
The West Coast). Whiria te Tai Poutini looks to work alongside schools to support and encourage senior Māori students to realise their potential to do great things for themselves, their whānau, and their wider community. 

Their focus is on building strong young Māori by exploring what it means to be connected to whakapapa, whenua and community. The programme is made up of three wānanga (gatherings) over the school for Years 11, 12 and 13. They welcome Māori students wanting to develop their leadership skills and build their capability and capacity to contribute to others. 

At these wānanga students will also get the chance to connect and be mentored by positive local and national Māori role models from diverse backgrounds, experiences and skills. Many of these role models connect through a national leadership development programme called TUIA.

High school students from five schools attended the first wānanga held at Makawhio Bruce Bay. Some of the activities students learned are the local history, uses of native plants and career opportunities from a glacier guide, who shared her knowledge of the glacier region, leaving us with a whole new appreciation for Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere.

Thank you to everyone who joined and contributed to making it an amazing three days.