Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga is one of six Taiwhenua in the traditional takiwa/ region of Ngāti Kahungunu. As Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga we are a distinctive Māori organisation in a predominantly mainstream arena focused on uplifting whānau whanui and environmental wellbeing. We provide Kaupapa Māori services that imbue tikanga values and practices and are governed by a Board that draws its representation from a traditional cultural base.
Culture we value
Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga undertakes and maintains cultural
practices in terms of our traditional waka Takitimu, our eponymous
ancestor 'Kahungunu' and Heretaungatanga, encapsulating our unique
collective heritage through;
Our strategic vision 'Te Haaro te
Kaahu Ki Tuawhakarere', the view of the native hawk (see beyond the
Horizon) - our future
Our mission statement, 'Mauri ora ki
te mana Māori o Heretaunga', to uplift the social, cultural and
spiritual wellbeing of all Māori whānau resident in
Heretaunga
Our strategically located base of
operations whose imagery and design work in the Heretaunga Park
facility are an interpretation of the ideas of our Kaumatua
Practicing Pōwhiri or traditional
welcome to acknowledge the value of manaaki, this extension of
hospitality being undertaken for every permanent Kaimahi as well as
guests
Supporting the value of
whakawhanaungatanga or meaningful working relationships in daily
karakia, and positive affirmations are incorporated wherever
appropriate
Developing Te Reo amongst staff to
enhance and compliment work practice
Attending annual two-day marae noho
for whakawhanaungatanga toward each other and appreciation tikanga,
kawa and whakapapa of the host marae and hapū
Heritage we cherish
Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga facilitates and manages the interface
with and connection to ngā marae/ hapū, kanohi ki te kanohi - face
to face and pokohiwi ki te pokohiwi - shoulder to shoulder.
This process is guided by ngā kaupapa mō te tau (annual plan) and
includes:
Providing resources and koha to enable ngā marae/hapū to
undertake;
Wānanga whakapapa (genealogy)
Kōrero nehera (history talk)
Kōrero pakiwaitara (local stories)
Wānanga supporting tikanga mahi of the marae; Kaikōrero (oraters),
Kaikaranga (callers), Kaiwaiata (support singers), Kaikarakia
(those to lead a service) and Kaimahi (workers of the marae)
Enabling or facilitating marae/ hapū hui (meetings) convened to
discuss important economic, social, cultural or environmental
issues;
Water and waterways
Customary fishing
Papakainga/ housing
Waahi tapu (sacred sites)
Flora/ fauna
Waitangi Tribunal Claims
Kahungunutanga we celebrate
He aha te mea nui? What is the most important thing? He tangata
he tangata he tangata, it is the people it is the people.
Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga recognises personal achievement and
excellence through sports, the arts, and in other fields by
providing support through scholarships, sponsorships and koha
for;
Individuals or teams that have
achieved local, regional, national and international status
Tertiary students
Individuals or groups that skilfully
demonstrate Heretaungatanga through traditional Māori values and/or
practices
Events of the Māori calendar:
'Treaty of Waitangi' celebrations; Matariki (Māori New Year);
Kahungunu Sports Awards, and much more…
