A dream to welcome visitors onto ancestral whenua is becoming a reality for Taupō mother of four Tiara Rameka.
Through Atamai Ora wānanga run by Te Hapori Ora, Tiara has developed a comprehensive business plan for wāhine-led hunting and fly-fishing experiences that showcase the natural beauty, stories and rich cultural heritage of her whānau whenua.
Building on years of experience in hospitality, she is now taking confident steps towards financial independence and business ownership, creating opportunities not only for herself, but for future generations of her whānau.
The tourism venture will be based on whenua that has been in her whānau for generations, with experiences centred around the Waikato awa and the ngahere that surrounds it.
Tiara is excited to see her vision taking shape.
“I can’t wait to introduce visitors to our whenua, teach fly fishing on the Waikato awa that runs behind it, and hīkoi with manuhiri through the forest around us,” she says.
For Tiara, technology has become another tool to help bring a long-held aspiration to life.
“I feel so positive about my future. I couldn’t have done it without Te Hapori Ora and these fantastic, future-focused Atamai Ora wānanga,” Tiara says.
Alongside developing her own business idea, Tiara has found inspiration in local kaumātua Mathew Howell.
An experienced tour guide in the Tongariro and Taupō rohe, Mathew turned to Atamai Ora after an injury prompted him to reconsider his professional direction. He is now developing plans for a business that will train local whānau as guides, equipping them with cultural knowledge, local history and tikanga to share with visitors.
The pair have supported one another throughout the wānanga, demonstrating the power of whanaungatanga and the value of bringing different generations together to learn, create and grow.
Atamai Ora is turning ideas into action
Tiara is one of 15 whānau who gather at Te Whāriki Aroha in Taupō every Friday afternoon to explore how emerging technologies can help them achieve their goals.
Participants range in age from 25 to 82 and come from a variety of backgrounds. Some are exploring ways to grow businesses, while others are developing projects that support learning, wellbeing and community development.
Chrissy Blake acknowledges Atamai Ora while introducing Koru Wairua resources that her husband, Werimu Blake, created using AI skills learnt in the wānanga.
They are using artificial intelligence and other digital tools for research, business planning, marketing, health and safety systems, content creation and creative projects.
The results are already becoming visible.
One participant has launched a music teaching service. Another has developed wellbeing resources that have attracted interest from a local training provider. The oldest participant is creating resources to help people better understand end-of-life choices.
Just as importantly, participants are building relationships with other entrepreneurial whānau, sharing their experiences and supporting one another to turn ideas into action.
For many, Atamai Ora is about much more than technology.
It is about discovering new possibilities, growing confidence and recognising that learning can happen at any stage of life.
Building whānau capability and confidence
Te Hapori Ora Chief Executive Brendon Eriksen-Downs facilitates the Atamai Ora wānanga. The current programme builds on a successful pilot delivered with guest tutor Doug Healey from Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology.
“We want whānau to feel comfortable and confident with new technology,” Brendon says.
“For some, these wānanga have the added benefit of restoring confidence in learning. Whānau reconnect with structured learning environments, become engaged in new opportunities and continue building skills they can apply in their everyday lives.”
Some participants first connected with Te Hapori Ora through Wāhine Ora and Tāne Ora wānanga. Others arrived through different pathways. Together, they form part of the wider Te Hapori Ora Village of Wellbeing kaupapa.
Brendon says Atamai Ora supports much more than digital capability.
“It builds confidence, adaptability and belief. Whānau are gaining practical tools to navigate a rapidly changing world while strengthening their wellbeing and future opportunities.
“When whānau re-engage with learning, the benefits extend beyond the individual. They strengthen their families, contribute to their communities and help build resilience for future generations.”
Brendon Eriksen-Downs, Te Hapori Ora Chief Executive
For Tiara, the impact has been life changing.
Grounded in whakapapa and inspired by the possibilities of innovation, she is transforming a vision for her whānau whenua into a business that reflects manaakitanga, connection and opportunity.
Her story shows how Atamai Ora is helping whānau embrace new technologies while staying firmly connected to who they are, where they come from and the future they want to create.
