E Tū Whānau Kahukura Workshop 2023 brought nearly 100 Kahukura together online for a workshop over two half days in late March 2023. Kahukura are community leaders who unite whānau and transform communities.
The online wānanga was a great success, with participants describing feeling inspired, empowered, and motivated by kōrero, small rōpu workshops, whanaungatanga and more.
“Meitaki atupaka!! I really enjoyed this workshop and the content. The delivery was engaging, and I really enjoyed the cultural content. Doing things our way and making it a habit.”
Workshop participant
The Kahukura who attended represented whānau Māori and former refugee and migrant communities across Aotearoa New Zealand. They all work within the E Tū Whānau kaupapa to strengthen families and communities, to create hope, and to support whānau to flourish.
“Thanks for this amazing opportunity to be a part of an amazing kaupapa. Excited to help promote E Tū Whānau Kahukura kaupapa into my everyday life.”
Workshop participant
Skills, strategies, and resources to support Kahukura
Exploring the kahukura concept as a powerful articulation of positive social change, the event offered participants opportunities to explore skills and strategies and to learn about the many E Tū Whānau-produced resources available to support their community-led mahi.
“The resources that we received, those packs are the best I have ever received for any webinar, wānanga or anything I have ever done or been involved in. They are just outstanding.”
Workshop participant
The programme included inspirational kōrero from Noel Rawiri Woods (Pou Whakahaere – Mata Māori at Office of the Children’s Commissioner), and Te Kahu Rolleston (accomplished performance poet and rangatahi educator). It also included whole group sessions, live and recorded entertainment, and a whakoho wairua session.
“The last 2 days has really got my mind turning over. I got so much out of this Workshop. It will take me sometime to process all the information. But loved it all.”
Workshop participant
Workshops were facilitated by E Tū Whānau kaimahi with rōpu of Kahukura in digital break out rooms. Rangatahi were in their own rōpu so they could focus on the issues that were most important to them.
Kahukura were introduced to the newly developed digital Te Keteparaha (Kahukura Toolkit) which is packed full of resources to support Kahukura in their mahi, the recently released set of six E Tū Whānau values booklets, and the E Tū Whānau Charter of Commitment.
“I loved the whole workshop … the content and the structure/ delivery. Very engaging and impactful.”
Workshop participant
Kuaka, Kahukura and E Tū Whānau
Some of the kōrero that lies behind the Kahukura concept tells that when Kuaka (Bar-tailed Godwits) fly into Aotearoa for the summer, they arrive in a swirling mass. Within that mass are small groups which each have a leader whose role is to cleave the air and provide the initial lift for those in their flock who are following. That lead bird, the Kahukura, is the impetus for movement and change. As they move, Kahukura gather their group around them and, in doing so, other leaders emerge.
This model of collaborative community-led change that is achieved through undertaking collective journeys is central to the E Tū Whānau kaupapa. It was also celebrated at the inaugural E Tū Whānau Ann Dysart Kahukura Award 2022 when 11 inspirational Kahukura were honoured, with Kaitaia social service agency, Waitomo Papakāinga Development Society winning the overall award.
Want more?
- Read about Waitomo Papakāinga winning E Tū Whānau Ann Dysart Kahukrua Award 2022
- Listen to Waka kuaka, a taonga pūoro piece that tells the story of kuaka led on their migration by kahukura. Composed and performed by Alistair Fraser, Waka Kuaka was commissioned for the E Tū Whānau Ann Dysart Kahukura Award kaupapa.
- Read about the kuaka migration between Alaska and Aotearoa.
