Paiheretia ngā wawata, paiheretia te tangata, paiheretia ki te rangimarie!
Bind the aspirations, bind the people, bind with peace!
This was the theme of the Annual Te Pūtahitanga o Te Waipounamu Symposium held in Ōtepoti between 8 and 10 April.
Te Pūtahitanga is the Whānau Ora Commissioning Agency working on behalf of the nine iwi of Te Waipounamu, developing and investing in ideas and initiatives to improve outcomes for whānau Māori, underpinned by whānau-centred principles and strategies.
Hosted by Te Rūnanga o Ōtākou, the Symposium provided an opportunity for Whānau Ora initiatives to come together and showcase their success.
We are grateful to Te Pūtahitanga for the strong support that they have shown to Rangitāne o Wairau in recent years, and in particular, their support of Tangata Rau, Reo Kotahi. This has enabled us to bring you kaupapa such as last year’s webinar series, our Te Reo Champions project, our much-loved kaumātua interviews and more.
This year’s Symposium gave Corey Hebberd (General Manager) and Kereana Norton (Kaikōkiri Kaupapa Ahurea) an insight into the work being done across Te Waipounamu, across a range of initiatives. Of particular interest was the presentations by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Minister of Whānau Ora Peeni Henare, as well as hearing from Mokopuna Ora, Manaaki Ngahere, Protect our Whakapapa, Hauora Homes and Big House Infused Honey.
To find out more about the Symposium and the work Te Pūtahitanga supports, check out: teputahitanga.org/2021symposium