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News & Initiatives
Te Hiku Hauora Unveils New Tohu:
A Symbol of Unity and Aspiration
Te Hiku Hauora are excited to unveil and launch our brand new tohu, a symbol of aspiration for Hauora o Muriwhenua. This new tohu embodies our commitment to enhancing the health and wellbeing of our whānau, capturing the essence of our collective journey towards a healthier future.
E noho whakaiti nei tātou o Te Hiku Hauora ki tēnei o ngā tohu hou. He tohu tēnei mo ngā whakaaro wawata o tātou e aumāngea nei mo te Hauora o Muriwhenua.
Crafted by BJ Natanahira (Te Rarawa, Te Aupouri), the new tohu is comprised of many symbols that encapsulate Te Hiku Hauora's philosophy in reinforcing the dedication to fostering community well-being. The design pays homage to Northern tupuna, Waimirirangi, showcasing the nobility of wahine through their innate abilities to nurture, strategise, and lead.
Raranga is symbolic of weaving our people and methods together for Hauora. At the core of the design sits the weave of six strands which crossover and bind together. These strands represent the five iwi in Muriwhenua, with the sixth representing Tauiwi within the region. This intricate weaving signifies the interconnectedness and unity (kotahitanga) of our community.
Ko te āhua o te raranga e hono nei ki a tātou te tāngata e whakakotahi nei i ngā tāera me ngā pukenga mo te hauoratanga.
As we bid adieu to our previous tohu and express our gratitude for its years of service, we eagerly welcome a new era for Te Hiku Hauora. This new tohu is for all of Te Hiku o te Ika to wear with pride, symbolising our shared commitment to fostering community wellbeing.
The design features curvilinear lines housed within a circle composition, representing the cyclical nature of life and the perpetual journey of growth and rebirth, much like the koru pattern that spirals inward and outward. At the base is a curved triangular shape representing a maunga (mountain), with strands sweeping upwards towards Rangi (the sky), symbolising our aspirations and spiritual guidance of our ancestors.
BJ Natanahira’s mahi toi (artwork) for the tohu captures the profound depth of Te Hiku Hauora’s mission. His design is a visual reflection of Te Hiku o Te Ika’s cultural legacy, embodying the prominence of our Māori worldview and the overarching health aspirations of our hāpori. This design encapsulates the whakapapa (genealogy) and arataki wairua (spiritual leadership) of Waimirirangi, the essence of Māori identity, and the collective narrative of Ngāti Kuri, Te Aupōuri, Ngāi Takoto, Te Rarawa, and Ngāti Kahu.
Ko te waitohu o Te Hiku Hauora ko te huringa ora o te ao, e tipu ake te ira, ki te ira tangata. Ko te koru e tōrino nei e whakamārama ana i te haerenga o tēnei kaupapa, me tō tātou iwi e hāpai ana i ngā hononga o te ao hurihuri.
The new tohu’s openness and balanced form invite broader engagement and interpretation of hauora from a holistic perspective. The three-dimensional flicks at the tips of the harakeke strands introduce a sense of movement and vitality, bridging the gap between tradition and progress.
Ehara ko te tohu o Te Hiku Hauora, he tohu noa, engari he hōhonutanga o roto. He tirohanga ki tō tātou wāriu, he hononga kotahitanga ki to tātou nei Ao Māori, he tuakiritanga nā tō tātou whakapapa, he hāpai nei te hauora mo ngā uri whakatipu.
Kia tīhei mauri ora – to the breath of life, we are alive! Join us in celebrating this new era for Te Hiku Hauora and embracing the unity and strength that our new tohu represents. Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou katoa for your dedication and support in making this day a remarkable celebration of health and wellbeing.