Funds dished out for Murihiku youth aspirations
“The rangatahi really understood the weight of the decisions they were making, and in the end were excited to be supporting their peers to connect with their culture in these ways.
Initiatives to support the aspirations of young Māori in Murihiku (Southland) have been awarded funding in the second round of Te Ōhanga Tīwhera contestable fund.
The collaborative fund was established to support the aspirations of Māori youth throughout Southland and was led by rangatahi (aged 14-18 years) responsible for distributing the funds.
The rangatahi allocated the fund for creative and innovative projects or initiatives that support rangatahi to connect with Te Āo Māori. The group allocated the following:
Rangatahi Tumeke Charitable Trust (whakapapa journey) $15,000
Flowstate Productions (music workshop) $15,000
Southland District Rugby League (NZ Māori league tournament) $15,000
Te Wharekura o Arowhenua (Ki-o-Rahi field) $25,000
Southland Help Rape & Abuse Support Centre (kaupapa Māori healing) $25,000
Te Tapu o Tāne (Wānanga for kura) $25,000
Whānau Consultancy Services (pathways programme) $10,000
Reigning Downs Hauora Centre (Equine centred wellbeing programme) $25,000
Initiatives supported include establishing an all-weather field for the traditional Māori game Ki-o-Rahi; programmes for rangatahi using kaupapa Māori approach to mental health and wellbeing; and a programme for Māori youth to visit and explore the places they whakapapa to.
Te Rourou Community Catalyst Stacy Hughes says the rangatahi are deeply invested in the process and a lot of thought went into their decision making.
“The rangatahi really understood the weight of the decisions they were making, and in the end were excited to be supporting their peers to connect with their culture in these ways. They came into the second round with new ideas, and were excited and enthusiastic about the whole process,” Hughes said.
Rangatahi panellist Mya Kairau (18) says the driving force behind the fund was to ensure all rangatahi Māori had a sense of belonging in their home of Murihiku, and she believed the decisions made best reflected that drive.
“Every rangatahi Māori has a belonging place in Murihiku, but they might not be aware of it yet.
“Te Ōhanga Tīwhera has widened our lenses as to what the problems faced in Murihiku are, and why we have the ability to make a change,” Kairau said.
The fund is proudly supported by Te Rourou, One Aotearoa Foundation in partnership with Community Trust South, the Invercargill Licensing Trust Foundation, and Clare Foundation, who collectively believe rangatahi Māori are best placed to understand their own needs for support and cultural connection.