Pūrangakura celebrates Wai Ora Kāinga Ora research partnership
Pūrangakura celebrates Wai Ora Kāinga Ora research partnership
Celebrating the Wai Ora Kāinga Ora research programme with our kāinga organisations, research team, advisor and kaumātua.
On Tuesday 12 August 2025, Pūrangakura marked a significant milestone in the Wai Ora Kāinga Ora collaborative research project, with a Kawenata Ceremony held at Te Noho Kotahitanga Marae, Mt Albert, Tāmaki Makaurau. Funded by the MBIE Endeavour grant, this event formally recognised the shared commitment between Pūrangakura and eight kāinga partners to support kāinga aspirations for wai restoration and community wellbeing.
During the formal proceedings, each kāinga shared compelling narratives of their relationship with their wai. Each outlining the challenges they are facing and the innovative kaupapa-driven responses they are leading to restore their water systems. The presentations reflected a deep commitment to intergenerational knowledge, with approaches grounded in kōrero tuku iho and mātauranga-ā-tūpuna. The ceremony was a moving testament to collective purpose, resilience, and the enduring strength of kāinga-led action.
Pūrangakura is honoured to collaborate with the following eight kāinga:
Te Motu a Hiaroa Charitable Trust, is a Waikato tribal-led organisation based on Te Motu a Hiaroa, Māngere, Tāmaki Makaurau.
Te Motū a Hiaroa Charitable Trust General Manager, Tame Taratu (Te Ahiwaru, Tuhoe, Te Kawerau ā Maki, Waikato) signing the Wai Ora Kāinga Ora Kawenata.
Te Mahurehure Cultural Marae Society is a Ngāpuhi taura here marae located in Point Chevalier, Tāmaki Makaurau.
Te Mahurehure marae representative and kāinga based researcher, Alain Makiha-Perham (Ngāpuhi, Te Arawa, Rangitane) signing the Wai Ora Kāinga Ora Kawenata.
Ngāti Rangi ki Ngāwha Taiao Trust is hapū-led organisation located in Ngāwha nestled in the heart of Te Taitokerau.
Ngāti Rangi ki Ngāwha Taiao member and kāinga based researcher Roxanne Drader (Ngāpuhi, Waikato, Ngāti Rangi) and Reverend Wiremu Anania (Ngapuhi, Ngati Hine) signing the Wai Ora Kāinga Ora Kawenata.
Tūhourangi Tribal Authority is an iwi governance body based at the geothermal springs of Whakarewarewa, Rotorua.
Tūhourangi Tribal Authority Pouwhakahaere Taiao, Te Maiora Rurehe (Tūhoe, Te Arawa, Ngāti Whare, Tūhourangi) and kāinga based researcher Hana Tapiata (Te Arawa, Ngāti Tarāwhai) signing the Wai Ora Kāinga Ora Kawenata.
Rautāpatu Ltd is a kaupapa-led organisation that aims to co-create solutions at the intersection of climate change, culture and community, based in Ngāmotu, Taranaki.
Rautāpatu founders Glenn Skipper (Te Ātiawa nui tonu, Taranaki tūturu) and Bry Kopu (Te Ātiawa nui tonu, Ngāti Mutunga) signing the Wai Ora Kāinga Ora Kawenata.
Ngāti Kaharau & Ngāti Hau (Ōmanaia Marae) is a Ngāpuhi marae located in Ōmanaia in the settlement of the Hokianga.
Ngāti Kaharau & Ngāti Hau (Ōmanaia Marae) partner and kāinga based researcher, Dallas King (Ngāti Kaharau, Ngāti Hau), signing the Wai Ora Kāinga Ora Kawenata.
Te Pū-a-ngā Maara is a rangatahi-led taiao kaupapa based along the Puhinui in Manukau, Tāmaki Makaurau.
Te Pū-a-ngā Maara Taiao Advisor Sophia O’lo-Whaanga (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Hāmoa, Waikato Tainui) signing the Wai Ora Kāinga Ora Kawenata.
Project Rangatahi is a rangatahi-driven kaupapa in Te Wairoa, Hawkes Bay.
Project Rangatahi, Rāhiri Mākuini Edmonds (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāruahine) and Hine Aio Apatari (Ngāti Kahungunu o Te Wairoa, Ngāti Rongomaiwahine) signing the Wai Ora Kāinga Ora Kawenata.
The Kawenata Ceremony reaffirmed the partnership between Pūrangakura and our eight participating kāinga organisations in the Wai Ora Kāinga Ora research programme. The ceremony celebrated our collective endeavour, and honoured the mana of each kāinga.
Our wānanga was enriched with the pūrakau and wisdom shared by our kaumatua. Sir Haare Williams captured us with the recital of ancient stories full of compelling messages and provocations for our research work.
Another kainga leader reflected:
"The story of Rata reminds us to do things properly, to follow our tīkanga, and be respectful of others’ tīkanga. This day is an important celebration of our collective rangahau mahi (research work) through the Kawenata ceremony."
— Te Maiora Rurehe, Tūhourangi Tribal Authority
Tā Haare Williams sharing pūrākau beside Te Wai Unuroa o Wairaka, alongside Hare Paniora and Rangi Mclean.
