PROJECT

He Kahu Kōrero – Weaving Pathways to Hauora

In Hauraki, a new generation of rangatahi and their whānau are rediscovering the healing power of whatu through He Kahu Kōrero, a ten-week kaupapa led by Ngā Tūmanako Whitianga Charitable Trust with support from Hauraki PHO and Te Aka Whai Ora. Grounded in mātauranga Māori, the programme blends technical skill, reo, and tikanga with the deeper spiritual connections to Te Whare Pora.

Young girl outdoors smiling at the camera.
Person weaving a patterned textile.

Within this space, tauira “lose themselves” in the rhythm of weaving and emerge with more than just taonga — they find mauri tau, strengthened identity, and renewed links to tūpuna. Guided by Pounamu Ngauamo and her team, participants design kākahu for special people, each stitch carrying intention, memory, and whakapapa. Alongside mastering techniques like māwhitiwhiti, tāniko, and mahi harakeke, they explore the meditative, reflective nature of whatu, and how it can sustain wellbeing in everyday life.

Two people examining a bird on a table outdoors.
Person collecting flax.

From noho around the pā harakeke to the careful preparation of manu huruhuru, the programme nurtures patience, creativity, and collective resilience. He Kahu Kōrero is more than weaving garments; it’s weaving the intergenerational threads of identity, healing, and cultural continuity.

Read more…

Two women in a room with large windows and carpeted floor.
People sitting at a long table engaging in arts activities, with various supplies and containers in a bright, spacious room.

He Kahu Kōrero – Voices from the Whare Pora

Reflections from He Kahu Kōrero show how the kaupapa is experienced on a personal level. Tamariki describes whatu as calming, peaceful, and “different from everything else at kura,” with moments of pride when techniques clicked and their kākahu took shape. Some linked their feelings to ātua, others spoke of determination, persistence, or the joy of creating something for someone special.

Whānau valued being welcomed into the process, learning alongside their tamariki, and witnessing their quiet competence grow. They noted the safe, uplifting mauri of the wānanga and the way it deepened whānau bonds while supporting reo Māori and cultural reconnection.

Two women sitting on the ground weaving flax leaves, with three people sitting on benches in the background.
Three boys preparing food at an outdoor cooking station under a green canopy, with pots on portable stoves and bottles of ingredients on the table.
A young person holding a bird in their hands. They are wearing an orange and black patterned shirt or jacket. The background features a green canopy and white siding.
Group of children and an adult gathered outside.
A group of children and two adults sitting and standing on a covered outdoor porch, watching a man demonstrating weaving flax leaves on a large green tarp.