Whakaraka – Ti-Rakau

Arts & Culture Workshop

Presenter: Te Rua Māuri

Suitable for: All ages

Whakaraka are forms of Maori traditional games, using implements such as Ti Rakau (long stick) to demonstrate co-ordination of upper and lower body movements, attention to breathing and sound vibration in a collaborative environment for all ages. Come and participate in an encompassing and earthly experience using one of the many art forms of Maoridom.

The structure of the delivery will be like learning a language. Beginning with sound and vowels, participants will eventually be conversing fluently with body language, which is universal in all cultures. People who attend this workshop will gain a deeper understanding of Maori art forms and why they were used and how they are used today to improve overall health and well being, flexibility whilst incorporating breathing techniques. Adults and children can share in the learning together which comes with its own unseen benefits of aroha, manaakitanga kotahitanga and whanaungatanga- caring and sharing as one.
Participants will be introduced to stages progressively which will allow us to move collectively through each process.
The objective is to form a language that we all can become fluent and converse in as one people through one universal language at one time.

Presenter Bio:

Kemara Kennedy (New Zealand Maori) is a descendant of the Te Arawa people that occupy the central North Island of New Zealand. Predominantly affiliated to the Ngati Pikiao tribe that reside around the Rotoiti Lake district east of the township of Rotorua.

Tiare Tito (New Zealand Maori) is also a descendant of the Te Arawa people and shares Polynesian lineage back to the homeland of Rarotonga. Her tribe of the Ngati Tuwharetoa occupy and are the guardians of the great volcanic lake-district known as Taupo-nui-a-Tia and the majestic mountain Tongariro that mark the southern boundary of the Te Arawa people.

Te Rua Mauri simply translates to The Organic Source. Te Rua in the Maori language is a ground made storage pit for food and Mauri is the internal life force of oneself. The idea of combining these two interpretations makes up the fundamental platform that allows us to explore the knowledge of our people, seek enlightenment and retain the source of its origin.

Each of our members of Te Rua Mauri have walked their own cultural paths and have a wealth of life experience in these aspects. All have been immersed in Maori culture and have represented our people nationally and internationally.

Whakaraka – Ti-Rakau