E hāpai ana i te kaupapa o Te Hikutanga, Teina Piripi joins the haerenga/journey, establishing Ka Huri Te Tai – a kaupapa designed to challenge, inspire, reindigenise, and empower. You’ll often see Teina in the mix with the Te Hikutanga crew, pushing the movement forward – always with a tino rangatiratanga flag in hand.

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In her role as Arataki Hauora (Indigenous Practice Facilitator), Teina has been the driving force behind this kaupapa. Her mahi goes beyond facilitation – she is a guide, a protector of mātauranga, and an advocate for ensuring Māori knowledge systems are upheld within Te Hiku Hauora. Her impact is not only felt internally but also within the wider community, as she continues to strengthen our collective ability to indigenise hauora practices.

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Last year, she took a Te Hiku Hauora table wrap, stitched a tino rangatiratanga flag onto it, and marched it straight into Wellington like a walking declaration of mana Māori. If that’s not commitment to the kaupapa, I don’t know what is.

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Across multiple wānanga—whether two-day intensives, twilight sessions, or early morning kōrero—kaimahi engaged in critical discussions about inequities, the persistence of racism in Aotearoa, and the systems that continue to marginalise Māori. These were not comfortable conversations, but they were necessary.

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For many, this wānanga was an awakening. Kaimahi reflected on the hidden histories they were never taught, the realities of Te Tiriti breaches, and the ways in which colonisation continues to shape health outcomes today. Ka Huri Te Tai provided language, resources, and frameworks to challenge these systems—equipping kaimahi with the confidence to be unapologetically Māori in their practice.

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The evaluation showed that nearly 80% of participants experienced a shift in their understanding. Many kaimahi, both Māori and non-Māori, shared that they had never been given the opportunity to engage in such a deep and honest exploration of Māori history and identity. Some reflected on the weight Māori carry daily, while others expressed a newfound commitment to incorporating Te Reo and tikanga into their practice.

 

“This kaupapa provides a space for kaimahi to confront the realities of our history, unpack the lasting impacts of colonisation, and reclaim Te Ao Māori in their mahi and everyday lives.” 

 

One participant shared, “This wānanga has opened my eyes to so much more! I have learnt so much that I will carry with me forever.” Another acknowledged, “I was aware of our history, but I now realise how little I truly understood. The seed has been planted—I will continue to nurture it.”

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Offering Ka Huri Te Tai internally at Te Hiku Hauora isn’t just about upskilling kaimahi—it’s about creating real change that flows outward into the community.When our workforce is empowered with Te Ao Māori knowledge, understands the impact of colonisation, and strengthens their practice through tikanga, the ripple effect is felt by every whānau we serve. By embedding these values within our organisation, we ensure that our services are mana-enhancing, culturally safe, and responsive to the needs of our people.

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What happens inside Te Hiku Hauora strengthens the hauora of our entire community. This is just the beginning. More opportunities are coming for kaimahi to immerse themselves in Te Ao Māori, strengthen their understanding of systemic inequities, and reclaim space for Māori within the hauora system.

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Coming this March: The Ka Huri Te Tai Insights Report will be available online for everyone to access. Keep an eye out for its release!