Kia ora, my name is Jah-vana Lilley I am the co-ordinator for Hīkoi Waewae. For those of you that don’t know, we are a walking/tramping rōpū based on Te Tai Poutini. During our hīkoi we will be learning mātauranga Māori, whakapapa, tikanga, karakia, te reo, ngā hua o te ngahere and Māori place names. Our aim is to reconnect with our whenua by walking in the footsteps of our tūpuna to regain a sense of connection and belonging. Experience wellbeing through developing fitness and spending time in our natural environment, breathing clean fresh air and disconnecting from technology.

Every Monday we go walking, depending on the weather as we don’t want to put anyone at risk. We have completed over 20 hīkoi including one overnight tramp and we are planning a second. We have an amazing dedicated group that varies in numbers from week-to-week. If you would like more information or to join in on a hīkoi or two then add our Facebook page “Hīkoi Waewae” and flick me a message or email us at: [email protected] we are always keen for new faces to join in on our awesome initiative.

We are inviting expressions of interest from Makaawhio members who would like to participate in our next hīkoi Whakatipu Waitai. At this stage, no date has been set as we need a threshold number of participants.

If you are considering this amazing opportunity to reconnect with the southernmost part of our rohe and our kāinga there are a couple of criteria that you need to be aware of. [Read more…]

(Dart/Slipstream pounamu trail)
Murihiku Rūnanga are conducting research to develop a Murihiku cultural water classification system. This will assist with their freshwater management needs and aspirations. The pilot study area is at sites along the
Te Koroka Ara (Dart/Slipstream pounamu trail).

We need to collect data with a specially designed cultural monitoring programme. One of the most important elements of any cultural monitoring programme is ensuring that whānau conduct the monitoring.

It doesn’t matter how young or old you are, or if you have conducted such monitoring before. If you have enthusiasm for all things water and mahinga kai then you will have the skills to help us with this mahi. We will provide transport, accommodation, kai and some koha for your time. It will be a time of whakawhanaungatanga, gathering and sharing mātauranga and being able to visit sites of our tūpuna, as well as looking at opportunities for our future generations. [Read more…]