Wānanga for our Trades and Services students brings Māori culture to life

Trades and Services students learning about the development of Te Noho Kotahitanga marae.

Our School of Trades and Services, under the guidance of Kaihautū Veraneeca Taiepa and the Marae team, recently held a wānanga for over 150 new and returning students, including a tour of Te Noho Kotahitanga marae, stories of the development of the marae and explanations of Māori protocols.

The wānanga started with Taurahere Marae Lecturer Hohepa Renata giving a whakatau and explaining the Kawa (protocols), followed by Jessica Aranui, Taurima Marae, teaching and leading the waiata, Te Aroha.

Andy Pivac, Lecturer in Construction, shared his experiences as one of the builders of our beautiful wharenui, Ngakau Mahaki. He highlighted the role of Māori cultural practices in every aspect of the building, from retrieving the native timber to the assembly of the whare.

Students listen to Hohepa Renata as he explains the meaning and important of Te Wai Unuroa o Wairaka (the stream).

Hohepa spoke about each Pou in the wharenui, providing context and deeper meaning for staff and students. He articulated a timeline as he moved from the back to the front of the whare – acknowledging the past and moving forward to the future. Hohepa also led the group on a hikoi from the Pā harakeke, Rangimarie to two sacred sites – Te Wai Unuroa o Wairaka (the stream) and He Wairere o Te Auaungā (the waterfall behind Building 076), where he explained how they were named, their purpose and their relevance today.

Hohepa takes the students on a hikoi to the sacred site of He Wairere o Te Auaungā – the waterfall behind Building 76.

This session was an invaluable experience for students and staff alike, giving them knowledge of Māori cultural practices that remain relevant in today’s ever-changing world. The experience was a uniquely Unitec one, giving our tauira a better understanding of the importance of the whenua, our marae and the history behind it.

Veraneeca said it was empowering for our students, especially our Māori learners, and brought Māori culture to life.

Some of our Construction and Automotive staff who attended said that the stories surrounding the construction of the marae were extremely powerful and bring a new meaning to the building.

Lee Baglow, Head of Trades and Services said that at the session “Māori culture was brought to life. It’s exceedingly inspiring and challenges thinking; ultimately the knowledge given during wānanga is a marvellous gift and adds considerable personal value.”