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Family Violence Prevention Consortium, Northland
Launch of waka tete at Whaingaroa Harbour
A refreshing view to violence prevention is at the heart of an exciting programme 17 to 19 November 2005 culminating in the launch of a waka tete on the Whaingaroa Harbour.
"The waka tete (a canoe suitable for women and children) is rich in symbols that represent the divinity of women and the promise of safety," says launch organiser and CEO of Te Runanga o Whaingaroa, Ms Judy Steele.
Ms Steele is a member of the Family Violence Prevention Consortium that leads the Amokura violence prevention strategy along with six other chief executives of iwi authorities in Northland.
"The tauihu (figurehead) of the waka tete is a tawake bird. The tail feather of the tawake is the amokura. The amokura is recognised in Taitokerau as representing the promise of safety.
"That is the safety we aspire to for all Maori, especially women and their whanau," says Ms Steele.
The name of the waka tete is drawn from the mother of the female deity of the sea. It will be released publicly at the launch of the waka tete.
Two women assisted in carving the waka that was overseen by internationally renowned waka builder and navigator, Hekenukumai (Hec) Busby.
The waka tete was requested after Whaingaroa launched a waka taua in 2000. Kuia from Whaingaroa requested a waka be built to recognise the contribution of women to the culture of waka. Te Runanga o Whaingaroa supported the waka tete project.
"The kaupapa of reducing violence starts with prevention and early intervention. We see the waka tete project as being a vehicle to enrich the community, the individual carvers and the people who brought the entire project to light," says Ms Steele.
"The knowledge involved in building a waka, getting the stories right for the carvings, working with experienced waka builders is congruent with the kaupapa (philosophy) of empowering our people," she says.
"The building of this waka is a symbol of recognising mana tane, mana wahine, mana tangata" Ms Steele continues.
"It is a legacy for the tamariki mokopuna of Whaingaroa yet to come."
The launch of the waka tete is on 19 November 2005. A powhiri will start the proceedings at 8 am.
The waka tete is named after the mother of the female deity of the sea. More details will come at the launch of the waka tete at the Old Mill site in Totara North.
A two day wananga (workshop) is being organised by the Amokura project team and Te Runanga o Whaingaroa at the launch site. The wananga starts with a powhiri on Thursday 17 November 2005 at 10am.
Guest speakers include Hekenukumai Busby and Herewini Jones.
"The Amokura project focuses on prevention and early intervention. The wananga is an opportunity for the many organisations and volunteers in Northland communities that work directly with Maori women and their families to reduce violence," says Judy Steele.
"Herewini Jones will discuss the whakapapa (genealogies) of bringing the philosophies of mana tane and wahine to Aotearoa. He'll talk about the Kura Wananga and the tohunga who taught there through waiata, whakatauaki and tauparapara.
"Hekenukumai Busby will tell us about his experiences, and how he's used the stars to navigate across the oceans through the Pacific Islands and up to Hawaii.
"This level of koorero and information exchange will give the people working in family violence prevention another perspective of how to approach the situations they face daily," says Ms Steele.
"The waka tete is an opportunity to utilise the metaphor of moving forward, together, to strengthen all members in the community."
Ends
For interviews, please contact: Judy Steele Chief Executive Te Runanga o Whaingaroa 09 4050340 021 1056099 judysteele@xtra.co.nz