A compelling writer, Makaira gifted a chapter on musical play in te ao Māori to Julie Wylie and Susan Foster-Cohen’s wonderful book, Unleashing the Power of Musical Play, and shared his languages project to promote actions we can all take towards cultural understanding in A journey of one hundred languages.
My own writing includes a chapter on musical play in te ao Māori for Julie Wylie & Susan Foster-Cohen’s wonderful book, Unleashing the Power of Musical Play, over 300 poems and testimonials celebrating the beauty within people I meet, and an article sharing my languages project to promote actions we can all take towards cultural understanding in A journey of one hundred languages.
Compelling writing
Māori and Me: What's the Deal?
Coming soon!
RobbieIanMorrison, CC BY 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
An illuminating journey into the relationship between tangata whenua and migrant communities in Taranaki. What does Treaty partnership look like when you’re not Pākehā or Māori? What does it mean to be a Kiwi? What will it mean to our kids?
Come and explore the potential that partnership with tangata whenua holds for ethnic communities. Bring your questions, fears and uncertainties to the table. Listen to local leaders from a range of ethnicities share personal experience of connection with Māori culture, language and people, and the beautiful possibilities this journey holds.
Promo video for retreats
A lifelong dream of making mōkihi (traditional Māori rafts) was made possible by the late Rangimārie Te Maihāroa, who taught Makaira their construction.
After paddling the Waitaki river in 2001, Makaira built the double mōkihi that carried him and his Ngāi Tahu companion down Te Awa Tupua, the Whanganui river, in 2018.
After voyaging from Taumarunui to Pipiriki over 5 days and enjoying the manaakitanga of mana whenua at Tīeke kāinga, the storm that had been following the paddlers caught up with them during an unexpected blessing by local kaumātua for the end of their journey. This video captured the moment.
Fanfei's video of Awhi Nuku
Te Ara Whanaunga Leadership Programme
Taking interest
Te Ara Whanaunga leadership programme offers an opportunity for adults from Māori and migrant communities within Taranaki who want to make a difference in the world to come together and change the legacy we are creating for our tamariki.
Beyond the rhetoric of racism that separates groups in our country, come together to imagine and create a new future for all of us. Share your hopes and dreams, your fears and frustrations, and by showing up for ourselves and each other, let us begin the adventure of healing, loving, and bringing our people together for a future with hope.
“I would describe this as a wellbeing course with great understanding of the Māori culture and how it relates to our lives. I gained knowledge, wisdom and kindness that I know I had within, but working with you and the group really brought it to the surface."
"I have walked away with such a connection and understanding of the beautiful culture I was lucky enough to have been brought up around and engaged with. I have learned so much about myself and have grown a greater appreciation of others, myself, and the land and spirit within and around us."
Utilising the power of Tā te Manawa healing and leadership retreats, we will explore profound concepts from te ao Māori and their significance for our own lives. Beautiful connections will be made between participants through activities carefully designed to create safe spaces for genuine sharing that welcomes in and celebrates the rich differences between our worlds.
“I gained confidence, new friends, a different outlook on life, and an understanding of the deeper meaning behind Māori concepts such as wairua, mana and pounamu. New goals and more self love. I will continue to hold space for people whether it's family, friends or even a stranger. Don't stop what you're doing. You helped me more than you ever know.”
“Makaira, I found your course very meaningful to help me understand my family.”
"You were able to engage everyone in kindness and connect us to a greater source within our hearts and the hearts of others. This was a fantastic experience that will live within forever."
"Forever grateful. I will use each practice in everyday life. I have noticed such a positive change over the last five weeks and will continue my growth. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I would love to stay in touch and hear of any future kaupapa.”
Makaira worked with Priya Gain as Poutokomanawa collective to develop 3 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).