NGA TAI O TE AWA – CAYAD WHANGANUI
Evelyn Hiri-Gush, Mike Taiapa (CAYAD Co-Ordinator), Victoria Campbell – Nga Tai O Te Awa
“Mike, We need some support with a few our students at the college. We need these kids engaged in school”
The call was sent out from Peter Kaua, Principal, Whanganui City College so Nga Tai O te Awa came together to collectively support them with immediate support that we then could extend and develop a relationship with teachers and students around the AOD space.
Tipu Whakarite
After discussions with what was needed from Peter and desired outcomes and “where to from here”, It was proposed to name this Kaupapa ‘Tipu Whakarite” which means “growing to be ready
This gives the Kaupapa a strong foundation and direction to where we want our tauira to move but let them drive the direction and take control of decisions around the Kaupapa with support and beyond with confidence.
The tauira that we received were not “striving” but just around the “surviving” space in school and needed “space” to allow them to move freely mentally and unlock themselves. There was a need to Increase informed community discussion and debate about issues related to alcohol and other drugs, so this was incorporated into our kaupapa
A three phase Kaupapa was initiated around Hauora with the korero that could be relatable with AOD thru various aspects, Peer pressure, environments and individual decisions.
“These kids will jump at this because it will stimulate and motivate them, Mike.”
We gave our tauira the task to work with chefs at Whanganui UCOL to give them the opportunity of pressure in a group environment and how this pressure can relate to personal experiences around AOD harm and reduction. These decisions can impact individuals in a positive or negative way depending on outlook. This opportunity also increased local capacity to support young people in education, employment and recreation.
“There are a couple of students here that will thrive in this environment so we will keep an eye out for them in the near future.”
“I didn’t see that these things can be all related and interconnected. That has opened my eyes.”
Mau Rakau – This gave our Tauira the opportunity to immerse themselves into the realm of our Atuas around Mau Rakau. This reconnects them to focus their energy, discipline, breath work, traversing the spaces. This gave our tauira the tools to be able to regulate themselves when confronted with situations at school around pressure and be confident within themselves as they have the support of their Atua’s and Tipuna.
“You can see the potential in these kids; they just need that nudge to get them moving and they will be away leading. It’s there, just waiting to be unlocked.”
Toi Maori - This space gives a creative arena to allow our tauira the opportunity to freely express and apply it onto canvas by way of art around any area of their lives. Some chose whanau, some chose experience within their whanau.
Our tauira with their Toi Maori created with the guidance of matua Josh Hurae.
Their focus, discipline and patience enabled them to create with freedom around what they see and feel within themselves and their whanau.
Surprisingly some tauira opened around pressures within the whanau around AOD Harm which opened the floor up for discussion.
“Man, I see how this all connects us and it’s pretty cool.”
“Having the space here, you and matua Josh being comfortable made it all come out.”
Decade Daniels was one of our Tauira who had very little motivation or interest with school. His mother was worried about him and was hoping these opportunities given to him will give him the confidence he needs moving forward.
By the end of our kaupapa, Decade was leading discussions and whaikōrero when we visited other establishments. His confidence grew massively, and his parents noticed this immediately. As a direct result of our kaupapa, Decade was awarded a trophy for academic achievement and a scholarship for leadership from Whanganui City College.
Nga Tai O Te Awa continues our ongoing relationship around the reduction of AOD harm with Whanganui City College.