Maria Waretini
Maria Waretini, Mana Hautu Iwi Engagement Lead, Te Rarawa | Waikato Tainui
29 April 2025
6 May 2021
Communio recently attended a Wānanga at Matai Whetū Marae hosted by Ngāti Maru, in the beautiful Thames Hauraki region of New Zealand.
Matua Wairangi Jones from Tutira Mai NZ Tūtira Mai NZ - Cultural Competence Training (tutiramai.co.nz) held our team captivated with his teachings, taking us on a journey of understanding turangawaewae/attitudes to land/a place to call home and how we, as a team can apply Te Tiriti into our workplace.
Matua Walter Searancke hosted on behalf of Ngāti Maru giving us an amazing insight into the history of the carvings that line the walls of Matai Whetū’s meeting house, bringing them alive in his kōrero, drawing us into te ao māori in the history of Matai Whetū.
An amazing day was had by all, we give a big shout out to the ladies of Matai Whetū Marae for preparing amazing kai. It was special to be able to come together as a team to learn and to continue the development and growth of tikanga so we may provide the very best service to both Tūpāpaku and Whānau throughout Aotearoa.
Ngā Mihi