Rāhiri, Project Rangatahi – Rangatahi-led place-base Wānanga

Project Rangatahi and their wider whānau hosted us across three different marae along the length of Te Wairoa Hōpūpū Hōnengenenge Mātangi Rau. Much of the kōrero with haukāinga centred around the changes to the Awa, particularly the harms of ongoing industry, and the Awa Aunties’, Katarina Kawana and Michelle McIlroy, efforts to restore and advocate for the Awa. We listened to experiences of the Cyclone Gabrielle flooding and proposed alterations to the Awa that will have a range of negative effects on whenua Māori and communities who live in the bends of the awa near the mouth. Following that we went on a haerenga to different sites along the awa and were shown how to check different elements of water quality. 

A highlight of our Gen K research update was looking at different communal kāinga case studies from around the world that intern Reuben Smiler shared with us, and giving feedback on the design of a potential tiny whare that he had completed design work for.  

We learnt so much from each pōwhiri process, through whāikōrero and waiata, as well as being inspired by the strength of heart that whānau in Te Wairoa have for their wai.