Week 4
Kōhine Oranga-tiratanga
Rakanga Waewae
Nimble feet and diverse talents
This week we travelled to Zeal Youth Centre in Henderson - home to our two amazing youth workers: Kim and Praiz. There we centred the pou, Rakanga Waewae, exploring the many gifts, talents, and ways of knowing of wāhine and kōhine. Drawing from the pūrākau of Hineteiwaiwa, Tinirau, Tūtunui and Kae, kōhine considered how creativity, movement, teamwork, humour, observation and strategic thinking can help us navigate challenges and stay true to ourselves.
Rakanga Waewae draws on the many talents and roles of wāhine, teaching us that we often carry more than we realise. This knowledge can help us understand how we are capable of achieving many things, and it can also reveal the need to prioritise activities to maintain balance.
This week, the girls embodied Rakanga Waewae through pūrākau, reflection, and movement. They learnt how our bodies can be sites of deep knowledge--revealing truths about ourselves and the world around us.
Rakanga Waewae draws on the many talents and roles of wāhine, teaching us that we often carry more than we realise. This knowledge can help us understand how we are capable of achieving many things, and it can also reveal the need to prioritise activities to maintain balance.
This week, the girls embodied Rakanga Waewae through pūrākau, reflection, and movement. They learnt how our bodies can be sites of deep knowledge--revealing truths about ourselves and the world around us.
"Sometimes the usual way of getting through a challenge may not work, that's okay, it may just need a little creativity and time to eventually get there"
Te Korowai o Hineteiwaiwa - Our cloak of many talents
We began the day with the pūrākau of Hineteiwaiwa and her troupe of wāhine who used their diverse talents and collective intelligence to uncover the truth and bring Kae to justice--after he breached trust and killed a pet whale. As the story unfolded, kōhine listened for examples of strengths, skills and qualities demonstrated by the characters. The heard about Hine Raukatauri and her musical prowess, Hine Raukatamea and her talents in entertainment. They learned about Hine Tīkatakata who embodies laughter, and Hine Mārekareka's ability to use her body the express rhythm through haka and waiata.
These qualities were recorded on "tassle" post-its and added to a large blank korowai displayed in the room. Soon, the korowai was overflowing with examples of creativity, courage, humour, intelligence, leadership, teamwork, adaptability, patience, observation, resilience and aroha.
One of the most interesting parts of the discussion was hearing kōhine identify these qualities in others before recognising them in themselves. They were quick to see these gifts in Hineteiwaiwa, the other wāhine, their peers, and even the facilitators.
These qualities were recorded on "tassle" post-its and added to a large blank korowai displayed in the room. Soon, the korowai was overflowing with examples of creativity, courage, humour, intelligence, leadership, teamwork, adaptability, patience, observation, resilience and aroha.
One of the most interesting parts of the discussion was hearing kōhine identify these qualities in others before recognising them in themselves. They were quick to see these gifts in Hineteiwaiwa, the other wāhine, their peers, and even the facilitators.
By the end of the activity, the korowai had transformed into a visual reminder that the gifts carried by atua wāhine continue to live within ourselves.
Movement, Creativity and Collective Expression
The movement workshop facilitated by Praiz and Kim was a highlight of the day. After some initial warming up, kōhine embraced the opportunity to explore movement, rhythm, creativity and self-expression through dance and choreography.
The energy in the room quickly grew as groups began creating their own movement pieces. Drawing on individual strengths and ideas, kōhine collaborated to design and perform original choreography that reflected their collective creativity.
Kōhine found different pathways to participate-drawing on their own unique talents. Not everyone was keen on performing choreography on the dance floor, so Puāwai (one of our facilitator's) helped create an alternative role for those wanting to contribute behind the scenes. Several kōhine eagerly stepped into lighting, audiovisual and DJ roles, curating music and atmosphere for the performers.
By the end of the session these "behind-the-scenes" creatives had developed their own improvised "Blues Brothers" inspired performance from behind the DJ booth, demonstrating that creativity and contribution can take many forms.
The energy in the room quickly grew as groups began creating their own movement pieces. Drawing on individual strengths and ideas, kōhine collaborated to design and perform original choreography that reflected their collective creativity.
Kōhine found different pathways to participate-drawing on their own unique talents. Not everyone was keen on performing choreography on the dance floor, so Puāwai (one of our facilitator's) helped create an alternative role for those wanting to contribute behind the scenes. Several kōhine eagerly stepped into lighting, audiovisual and DJ roles, curating music and atmosphere for the performers.
By the end of the session these "behind-the-scenes" creatives had developed their own improvised "Blues Brothers" inspired performance from behind the DJ booth, demonstrating that creativity and contribution can take many forms.
Ngā Kōhine a Hineteiwaiwa
Kōhine choreography and performances representing Hineteiwaiwa and the many talents of wāhine
The movement session embodied the kaupapa of Rakanga Waewae, reminding us that there is no single way to participate or express ourselves. Everyone has gifts to contribute, and collective success often emerges when diverse strengths are recognised and valued.
"Today taught me about strong wāhine and how, when powerful wāhine work together, we can succeed"
Kōhine ki Onekiritea
As we move into the second half of the programme, Rakanga Waewae reminds us that wellbeing/success is not about being good at one thing. Like Hineteiwaiwa and the many wāhine of the Whare Tapere, we each carry multiple gifts, talents and forms of intelligence.
The challenge is not discovering a single strength, but learning how to recognise, value and draw upon the many strengths we already carry as we navigate different situations, relationships and challenges in our lives.
This week showed that when kōhine are given opportunities to move, create, collaborate and contribute in ways that feel authentic to them, incredible things can happen.
The challenge is not discovering a single strength, but learning how to recognise, value and draw upon the many strengths we already carry as we navigate different situations, relationships and challenges in our lives.
This week showed that when kōhine are given opportunities to move, create, collaborate and contribute in ways that feel authentic to them, incredible things can happen.
E raka te maui, e raka te matau
Adapt with the left, be skillful with the right
Adapt with the left, be skillful with the right