Te Ara Whakatipu 2024 

E ngā mana, e ngā reo, e ngā kārangarangatanga maha, tēnā koutou katoa.

E te tumuaki o Te Kāreti o Ōtaki, e Andy Fraser, tēnei te mihi kau atu ki a koe.

E te Iwi, o Ngāi Tahu nei, he mihi nui tēnei ki a koutou mō te manaakitanga me te tautoko i au ki te whai wāhi atu ki Te Ara Whakatipu.

Ki a koe, e Kahurangi, nāu nei i whakatūwhera ngā tatau kia uru mai ai au ki tēnei kaupapa whakahirahira, he mihi nunui ki a koe.

Ā, ki ngā kaimahi katoa, mō tō koutou aroha me te manaakitanga i a mātou, tēnei te mihi maioha ki a koutou.

Tēnei ahau, e tū atu nei me taku ngākau nui, me taku aroha mō ēnei mea kua hoatu mai ki ahau.

Nā koutou i whakakī i taku kete mātauranga, ā, e kore rawa e warewaretia.

Ngā mihi maioha ki a koutou katoa.

On the 8th of September 2024, I boarded a flight from Wellington and set off down to Queenstown, to take part in a Rangatahi Leadership kaupapa called 'Te Ara Whakatipu.' A cultural connection programme designed for Ngai Tahu Rangatahi aged between 16-19, that seeks to enhance cultural identity, skills, and self-assurance by connecting with Te Ao Tūroa, and Ngāi Tahutanga. Set off into the beautiful Hollyford Valley, 12 rangatahi (myself included) experienced a world of breathtaking natural beauty and deep cultural significance, set over the course of 8 days. During this time, we not only immersed ourselves in the stories, traditions, and landscapes of our tīpuna but also formed strong friendships and bonds with one another, creating memories and connections that will last a lifetime. 

For the first two nights, we stayed at a holiday park in Te Anau due to the weather. During this time, we focused on whakawhanaungatanga, getting to know one another, learning each other's names, age, and where we were all from. It was interesting to see that we had two boys from Aussie who came down. We also engaged in Kapa Haka and practised some basic Maurākau footwork, which helped us start building a sense of kotahitanga and teamwork. A particularly significant moment was when we delved into our own whakapapa and family history, exploring the connections that link us to Ngāi Tahu. Each of us was given a kōpaki to open, which contained the names of the Hapū we are connected to, along with a whānau tree that traced our ancestry back to our earliest recorded ancestor. This experience was deeply moving, as it not only connected us more closely to our heritage but also to each other as some of us shared and learned about our shared roots. 

Then, we were off! We set out on a 21km hīkoi through the breathtaking Hollyford Valley. The taiao was incredible, the mountains were so colossal that they made the ones back home seem like little hills. The hīkoi itself wasn’t too tough, with only one steep climb that didn’t last long. As we got closer to the end of our walk, we came to a stunning glacial-fed waterfall, and the temptation was too strong to resist. A few of us, myself included, couldn’t wait to dive in. We quickly stripped down and jumped into the icy water, and let me tell you, it was freezing! But the exhilaration of swimming under the waterfall was worth every shiver. We screamed and splashed around, feeling like we were truly part of the beautiful taiao around us. The final stretch of the walk after our swim took a very long 45 minutes, but our spirits lifted when we were greeted by a jet boat. We then enjoyed a 30-minute ride across the awa, surrounded by stunning views, until we arrived at one of Ngāi Tahu Tourism’s 5-star lodges. It was incredible to think that tourists pay thousands of $ a night to stay there! Upon arrival, we were welcomed into really flash rooms, with two people per room, each with separate beds (not bunks) and an ensuite with LED mirrors showers and heated tiles. We were treated to beautiful kai prepared by Aunty Kara and Aunty Rachael, who cooked hot meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day. 

Each day followed a familiar rhythm. We’d wake up and have half an hour to get ready before enjoying breakfast and discussing the day’s activities. After changing into our outdoor gears, we hopped on the jet boat and set off. Our days included walks and talks about the history and whakapapa of the whenua. One memorable stop was at the site of one of New Zealand's earliest failed European settlements, Jamestown or O Te Roko Nui. We also learned about Tūtoko, explored native plants and trees, and saw magnificent trees that were over 800 years old. We set traps for pests like stoats and rats across the high sand dunes, contributing to conservation efforts. But one of the most special activities to me was searching for ancient pounamu at what might be the oldest archaeological site in New Zealand. Not long ago,  a kōiwi (corpse) was discovered there, along with ancient pounamu carvings like toki that could predate European arrival. We had the artefacts passed around in the lodge and the connection that some felt with the carving was beautiful. I myself took some time to just hold and look at it, for one of my Tīpuna would have carved it. We were also given time to break away from the group, allowing us to sit in the taiao and reflect on ourselves quietly. Back at the lodge, we enjoyed delicious meals prepared for us. Sometimes we ran through Kapa Haka, practiced weaving, or engaged in other activities before dinner. After our meals, we held a circle talk to reflect on our day and discuss deeper topics in life, often migrating to the couch for a more relaxed conversation. And of course, we ended each day with Aunties pudding.

On the last day, we came out the way we came in, walking the full 21km again. This time, we picked up the pace, finishing the hike in just over 4 hours much faster than the 6 hours it took us to walk in. When we reached Te Anau, we stayed one final night at the holiday park, where we gathered for a closing mihi. Everyone had the chance to express their gratitude and offer koha to one another, acknowledging the bonds we had formed. We held one last circle time, reflecting on our experiences before saying our goodbyes. The next morning, we drove back to Queenstown, and as we parted ways, it was bittersweet. This experience was truly an amazing opportunity, allowing me to deepen my understanding of my Ngāi Tahu culture, and over all my Māoritanaga, it allowed me to connect with nature, and forge lifelong friendships. 

No reira, tēnā koutou katoa. Ka nui te mihi ki a koutou mō ngā akoranga, ngā kōrero, me ngā hōhonutanga i pā mai i tēnei haerenga. Kia mau ki te wairua o te taiao, me te] manaaki i a tātou anō. Mauri ora!

Haki Ropata, Year 12