Maranga Mai Te Wai Pounamu hails the dawning of a new era with a focus on raising awareness of key protective factors in the prevention of suicide for whānau and communities across Te Wai Pounamu. It is a powerful message that asks us to stand stronger together, united in hope and aspiration for whānau, iwi and communities.
Community kapa haka continues to be the foundation of the event, showcasing performances that celebrate whānau, marae and iwi.
Key Protective Factors that underpin Maranga Mai -
· Positive cultural identity
· Strong sense of place and belonging
· Meaningful social interaction and support
· Community connectedness
· Supportive relationships
Maranga Mai Te Wai Pounamu provides opportunities to explore diverse solutions, new partnerships and an extended geographical reach. Maranga Mai Te Wai Pounamu will engage whānau and communities in Motueka, Kawatiri, Ōtautahi, Ōtepoti and Murihiku, a working partnership alongside Te Pūtahitanga o Te Waipounamu.
A further exciting addition to Maranga Mai Te Wai Pounamu is the role of Rangatahi Connector. The Rangatahi Connector is a strengths based approach that acknowledges the integral role youth have in co-designing solutions and shaping change especially in an issue as important as suicide prevention - a word from our Rangatahi Connector – Hurihia ki te Awatea Tawaroa.
Introduction
I rere kau mai te awa, mai ngā kāhui maunga ki Tangaroa - Ko au te awa, Ko te awa ko au
Ko Aotea te waka
Ko Ruapehu te maunga
Ko Whanganui te awa
Ko Te Atihaunui-a-Paparangi te iwi
Ko Ngā Paerangi te hapū
Ko Kaiwhaiki te marae
Ko Hurihia ki te Awatea Tawaroa ahau.
What I love about Maranga Mai Te Wai Pounamu - Murihiku? (Te Whare Tu, Te Whare Ora)
Maranga Mai Te Waipounamu embraces the concept of whakapapa, whānau and community. For myself, what I love about Maranga Mai Te Waipounamu is the fact that there is room to create a platform in which rangatahi like me, are given the opportunity to express our vision, in the hopes of initiating effective change, furthermore ensuring that this ‘effective change’ is carried into the future, making an impact within our whānau and communities.
What do I bring to the kaupapa?
Maranga Mai Te Waipounamu presents the opportunity for rangatahi to voice youth opinions, concerns or expectations, after all like our kaumātua constantly say on the marae our youth of today, are our rangatira of tomorrow. I believe in the concept of Maranga Mai Murihiku simply for the fact that there is a sense of inclusiveness, trusting that a rangatahi voice will be heard, considered and respected. In that sense, what do I bring to a kaupapa like this? An effective and contributing factor of my role is ensuring that there is a youth presence within a platform like MMTW, furthermore emphasizing the fact that Rangatahi feel represented. My goal alongside Maranga Mai Te Waipounamu, is to create an atmosphere where rangatahi feel comfortable and respected, where a forum is developed to prompt discussion and provoke thought, along the lines of “rangatahi to rangatahi”. In doing this, my responsibility within the role is to “open a door”, create a pathway or opportunity for rangatahi in the future to give ideas to the concept. In doing so, the hope is to confidently set a trend or pattern where our youth in the near future will come forward and give possible solutions for issues troubling our communities and whānau like I have the opportunity in doing so today.
A few of my favorite things?
Music: Arctic Monkeys, The Smiths, Etta James, Beyoncé.
Food: Boss-Burger Combo upsize to large! Potatoes mashed, boiled, grilled, roasted,
creamed or raw lol….
Places: Invercargill Library, Readings Cinema, Stadium Southland, Paruaharanui Marae Rotorua, Kaiwhaiki Marae Whanganui, Ngā Hau E Whā Marae Invercargill.
My Role Models: Whaea Rosie Shandley, Aunty Hani Light, Nanny Turangi Keefe.