Te Ohu Kaiaarahi o te Kapua Iti is an initiative of Te Kaahui Ako o te Oko Horoi. It was born out of the desire to build capacity in te ao maaori by growing te reo me ngaa tikanga across the rohe and to develop a vehicle to grow leadership amongst our rangatahi and share the knowledge of our local stories from Mana Whenua (Ngaati Korokii-Kahukura and Ngaati Hauaa). The concept was presented to the Kaahui Ako after two of our members went on a haerenga down to the Wairarapa where they visited Masterton Intermediate who took part in a similar programme called Ngaa Tama Toa for boys, and Poi Porotiti for girls.  

After observing the benefit for learners who displayed an enhanced mana who were able to lead and showcase what they had leant to their own individual kura, a proposal was made to the Whaangai ki te Kaihoe and Mana Whenua to see how we could bring something similar to life in Cambridge. It was then a leadership team were brought together to design what this could look like for our Kaahui Ako and the name Te Ohu Kaiaarahi o te Kapua Iti was gifted by Mana Whenua. Five kura took part in the initial pilot sessions in 2020 where the engagement, enthusiasm and passion of the learners and their whaanau was evident. Te Ohu Kaiaarahi o te Kapua Iti was then opened up to the whole community in 2021 where all kura in the Kaahui Ako were active participants. 

The goals of Te Ohu Kaiaarahi o te Kapua Iti are to;

• Connect with Mana Whenua to learn local hitori, waiata and haka specific to our local iwi and hapu

• Build connections and pathways for learners, whaanau and kaiako within and across Te Oko Horoi as they transition between different kura

• Develop the leadership skills for our rangatahi and provide opportunities for them to share their learning

• To grow te reo me ngaa tikanga across Te Oko Horoi for all learners and kaiako

• Enhance the mana of participants to know who they are and to stand with pride

In 2024, we look to continue to gain momentum and further develop the opportunities that we can provide for our learners to be successful in Te Ao Maaori. 

Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini.

Te Ohu Kaiaarahi o Kapua Iti - 8th November 2024 

The final Te Ohu Kaiaarahi o te Kapua iti - was a celebration of the mahi and learning from throughout the year.  It was a chance for the learners to ackonwledge and pay tribute to the kaiako who have led the kaupapa of Te Ohu kaiaarahi o te kapua iti. Many of the aakonga spoke of the impact that participation in the roopu has had on them. We spent the day sharing. learning and practicing haka waiata.

Te Ohu Kaiaarahi o Kapua Iti - 19th September 2024 

- Te Wiki o Te Reo Maaori

We had our 3rd session of Te Ohu for 2024. We were lucky enough to host this event out at Te Manawa o Matariki - a significant place for Ngaati Korokii Kahukura.  Over the course of the day, each kura had the opportunity to korero about their experience in Kapahaka. this was followed by each kura doing a waiata tautoko. We had the privilege of learning a new waiata that was composed by Whaea Kahurangi. this celebrated Kingitanga - Te Arikinui Kuini Nga wai hono i te po.

Mana whenua attended the session after their kura and centre visits, and shared their stories about the local history of Karaapiro, which captivated our aakonga.

Te Ohu Kaiaarahi te kapua iti - April 2024

Rukumoana Marae visit

November 3rd, 2022 - We shared a fabulous day - for the last gathering of Te Ohu Kaiaarahi o te Kapua iti.

We were honored to be able to attend a very special day of celebration and learning at our visit to Rukumoana marae with some of our treasured aakonga, manawhenua, kaiako, tumuaki and whaanau.

There were 91 students from across 11 kura within our Kaahui Ako in attendance. We were sorry to be missing many of our CHS leaders due to their exams.

Te Kaahui ako o Te Oko Horoi has been excited to see most schools valuing and participating in this initiative in 2022. We look forward to seeing you all again next year.

Te Ohu Kaiaraahi o te Kapua Iti - Our second session for the year 2023 was held at Leamington kura on the 30th March. The tamariki had lots of mahi, haakinakina, koorero and kai during the day.  Tuumeke tamariki maa.