27th May 2009

Back to basics in Torere

Rangatahi (young people) from Torere in the Eastern Bay of Plenty are getting to grips with what it was like for their grandparents growing up in the area.

Ngaitai Iwi Authority youth coordinator Tawhiao Kingi received funding from the BOPDHB to put together a short film. In the film he interviews many of the iwi elders (pakeke) about the variety of food they ate and the activities they were involved in when growing up.

“There was a big gap between the adults and the young people of the area, they didn’t communicate well,” says Tawhiao. “The elders thought the young people were spoilt and lazy, and the young people thought the elders didn’t know what they were talking about. This was an opportunity to bring them closer together, get them talking and help them understand each other’s worlds.”

Tawhiao says one of the most significant things that the young people have learnt from the film is that it’s more fun to get outside and make your own entertainment, rather than being indoors on the computer.

“In the film the elders talk about hunting, fishing and riding horses. This is when the young ones really start to listen,” he says.

They also talk about the kinds of food they cooked including kumara and different types of fish.

“The kids love hearing about the different ways food was prepared back then and they get a better understanding of where their food comes from,” says Tawhiao.

Since the film was released more people in the area have approached Tawhiao to tell their story. He is hoping to continue with this as a way of educating young people on the importance of nutrition and physical activity, as well as engagement with their elders.

ENDS

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