Staff Wānanga with Ngāti Hauā

Deepening relationships and honouring whakapapa in Waharoa

Yesterday our Mahi Mihinare team journeyed to Waharoa for a special wānanga hosted by Te Hauora O Ngāti Hauā Trust. This hikoi was an important step in deepening our relationship with Ngāti Hauā and strengthening our understanding of the whenua, the people, and the whakapapa that shape this rohe.

Ngāti Hauā’s rohe stretches across Matamata, Waharoa, Morrinsville, Cambridge, Tauwhare, and parts of Kirikiriroa/Hamilton. The iwi is made up of three hapū - Ngāti Te Oro (Waharoa), Ngāti Rangitaupi (Tauwhare), and Ngāti Werewere (Morrinsville) - and is home to five marae: Raungaiti, Waimakariri, Te Iti o Hauā, Rukumoana, and Kai a te Māta.

A Warm Welcome in Waharoa

A group of 23 staff, representing all of our services, travelled together to visit our hosts. We were welcomed into the whare nui by the team at Te Hauora O Ngāti Hauā Trust, including Josie, Raylene, Te Mapi, Fred, and Gary. Their kōrero offered us insight into the breadth and depth of their mahi across the community.

Following the pōwhiri, we shared kai and then our own kaimahi stood as teams to deliver their pepeha, introduce their mahi, and speak to the values that guide our work.

Honouring Wiremu Tāmihana

Te Mapi then shared about the life and legacy of Wiremu Tāmihana Tarapīpipi Te Waharoa, a central figure in Ngāti Hauā identity and an influential architect of peace and diplomacy during a transformative period in Aotearoa’s history. His whakapapa, leadership, and vision for unity provided a rich foundation for our wānanga.

Remembering Tarore of Waharoa

Our hikoi continued with a visit to the memorial site of Tarore of Waharoa, where Te Mapi recounted her story - one of the most significant in the history of the Gospel in Aotearoa. Tarore’s life, her tragic death, and the journey of her Gospel of Luke became a catalyst for forgiveness, reconciliation, and the spread of peace across iwi throughout the motu.

This moment of reflection offered us all a powerful reminder of how compassion and grace can shape generations.

Kai, Whanaungatanga, and the Path Ahead

We concluded our time together with a beautiful feast prepared by our Ethos team, followed by space to reflect on our partnership with Ngāti Hauā and explore possibilities for future collaboration.

Our wānanga strengthened our knowledge and our sense of connection, responsibility, and shared purpose. We return to our mahi encouraged, grounded, and committed to continuing this journey in partnership with Ngāti Hauā.