Hui To Listen To Voices Of Young And Old

Media Release from Hui Whakawhanaungatanga.

31 October 2000

HUI TO LISTEN TO VOICES OF YOUNG AND OLD

Hearing the voices of tamariki (children), rangatahi (young people) and kaumatua (elders) will be a key part of Hui Whakawhanaungatanga, which is being held at Christchurch’s Lincoln University from tomorrow through to Sunday.
Hui Whakawhanaungatanga is looking at the role of Maori in improving Maori health, economic development, social outcomes and the protection of children and women. It is third such biennial meeting to be held following hui at Mangere in 1996 and Porirua in 1998.
“We are very keen to listen to what tamariki, rangatahi and kaumatua have to say,” says Hui Whakawhanaungatanga spokesperson Tahi Takao.
“That way the messages from the past can merge with messages of the future.”
The focus on listening to tamariki and rangatahi is particularly evident in the programme.
The very first voices of the formal part of the hui will be the Aranui High School whanau class who will present a theatrical drama titled “Ture Wairua, Ture Tangata” on Thursday morning. The theme is a representation of Maori belief of a spiritual and physical component for wellbeing of people and how te ture wairua is the fortitude and focus for te ture tangata .
On Thursday afternoon keynote speakers Mana Winikerei and Haami Winikerei will present the “Waka Taua Wellness Programme”, a tribal-based programme working with rangatahi on traditional waka taua, and wanaanga (traditional schools of learning) throughout different areas of Waikato.
“On Friday, an entire afternoon and evening will be dedicated to receiving messages from our tamariki and from our rangatahi. Children from the St Albans School Bi-lingual Unit, Te Hata Opani Kura-Tikanga Rua Reo, will korero (speak) about experiences in bi-lingual education and their hopes and dreams for the future,” says Tahi Takao.
Stacy Daniels is a rangatahi who is passionate about working with other young people and seeing the enormous potential that rangatahi have to offer Aotearoa. Stacy will be talking about her experiences in a keynote presentation titled “Mana Rangatahi” on Friday evening.
Media are welcome to attend open sessions of the hui. Information will be available on site about which sessions are open.

Media contacts:
Tahi Takao (Ngai Tuhoe) 03 337 7500 or 025 314 802
Aroha Reriti-Crofts (Ngai Tahu) 03 365 8109 or 025 221 2704
Maru Stirling (Whanau a Apanui, Ngai Tahu) 03 389 7167 or 025 364 788
Kiwa Hutchen (Whanau a Apanui, Ngai Tahu) 03 379 7733

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