Haerenga ki Tieke Kāinga

Date Created: November 10, 2021

E kī ana te kōrero o ngā tūpuna 'Kauaka e kōrero mō te Awa, kōrero ki te Awa.' That is, relate to the river and seek its guidance in all things.

In November, Ngā Tāngata Tiaki o Whanganui took time together to speak with our Awa, on a three-day haerenga to Tieke Kainga in the remote reaches of Te Awa Tupua.

The Trust’s operations team was joined by the incoming Trustees, and members of the subsidiary groups. The purpose of our haerenga was to connect with the Awa, as well as whakawhanaungatanga, kotahitanga and building plans for the future.

We spent a lot of time in wānanga in Te Puawaitanga o Hinekura.  It was a good opportunity to share our whakaaro on a range of different kaupapa, because as kaimahi, we don’t always get the chance to contribute to the kōrero in the same way.

We learned more about Tieke Kainga and the way in which our people laid claim to the whenua in 1993 and later saw the establishment of the wharenui. Tenei te mihi ki ngā uri o Ngāti Hinekura me Tamahaki.

We learned more about the plants and rongoa in our bush, and a small group of us went on a hīkoi into the hills up to the old urupā and across the ranges revealing stunning views of the Awa.

The collective love and passion for our Awa was evident in the kōrero and laughter that filled the whare. History was shared, memories were shared, and the challenging conversations were had, meaning we all walked away richer in knowledge and understanding.

Our haerenga was capped off by a seven hour paddle on the Awa returning to Pipiriki. The mouri of the Awa was powerful. It was a beautiful day and the highlight for many of us.

We returned to Whanganui with full hearts and a strong sense of gratitude to our Awa, our tūpuna, and our whānau at home who supported us to spend time together in this way.

Mouri Ora. Mouri Awa. Mouri Tangata.