About the Facilitator
"Makaira’s insightful, playful, empowering style of teaching has provided a safe space to allow me to be comfortable in the vulnerable. I have found the sessions to be incredibly educational not only for affirming my minimal knowledge of te reo but for healing my inner self to enable me to embrace my culture and proudly share it with others. Each week I have come away feeling grounded, fulfilled, supported, enlightened and childlike, wanting to learn and experience more. I could not recommend him more highly for those who wish to discover and grow their knowledge and understanding of not only te ao Māori and all that this encompasses but more importantly – themselves."
- Amie, Make Mistakes in Māori student.
Makaira Waugh is a registered kaiako, artist, celebrant and writer whose passion is empowering creativity, hauora, and community through kaupapa Māori education.
The kaupapa of Tā te Manawa stems from the guidance of his tūpuna, a deep understanding of his Te Ātiawa heritage, and his personal journey of healing from trauma and mental illness. His experience as a kaiako spans a wide range of contexts from kōhanga reo and kura kaupapa Māori through to youth, adult and teacher education, exploring te reo and tikanga Māori, music and instrument making, creative writing, resource development & Māori outdoor pursuits. He speaks Spanish as well as te reo, and taught arts education activities as tools for language revitalisation for Indigenous teachers, schools, and early childhood centres in México in 2020 & 2024.
While teaching in his initial dream job (see UNICEF article), Makaira began making outdoor musical instruments for his niece (above). His vision of enabling all students to enjoy creative musical play together led him to develop an entire sound garden for the kura: Te Ara Whānui Sound Garden.
Poutokomanawa Education Resources
Makaira was blessed to be mentored by his friend Priya Gain and the pair worked together as Poutokomanawa collective to develop three bicultural arts education resources:
Aruaru mai Tawhiti and Chase across the Waves (English version) are a retelling of Kupe's legendary fight with the giant wheke that led to the discovery of Aotearoa.
Te Koha a Tāne is a retelling of the traditional pūrākau of Rātā and the Waka from the perspective of the tōtara. The story explores our relationship with the forest and considers kaitiakitanga in ways tamariki can relate to.
Beautifully illustrated storytelling narratives are woven throughout both resources, which come in both te reo and English versions, translated by Makaira. Access them here.
Hā Ora was developed to nurture the hauora of kaiako and ākonga returning to the classroom after lockdown by connecting to nature, the senses and creative play (here).