Diving waananga 2022

Waikato Tainui

The Heritage & Identity Team has been working with Water Safety NZ to co-design a Kairuku Programme for Marae.

All Marae take pride in being able to provide their signature dishes at important events such as Poukai. A range of research acknowledges the importance of traditional kai in improving the nutritional health of kaumaatua. Access to traditional kai improves the mental and spiritual health of kaumaatua and has a unique ability to trigger positive memories which have also been acknowledged as a deterrent for neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, etc).

The programme has been designed to maintain important traditions such as Poukai, by ensuring Marae have confident and competent divers who can provide kaimoana for their marae but most importantly come home safely to their whanau. The programme was also an opportunity to capture koorero tuku iho and tikanga pertaining to each marae. The programme taught equipment maintenance, safe storage of kaimoana, karakia and sights of significance.

The programme was piloted with Water Safety NZ in 2021, with 20 tribal participants successfully completing their Scuba Dive and Free Diving Certifications at no cost to the tribal member.

We are pleased to announce that the second Kairuku Waananga 2022 is now open for registrations of interest. The programme will run on the below dates with venues to be confirmed;

·       28^th – 30^th of October

·       18^th – 20^th of November

·       1^st - 4^th of December

Registrations are welcome to 20 tribal members who are nominated by the marae (maximum of 2 tribal members per marae) and commit to the above dates. We have 20 spots available for the programme so get in quick as the spots will fill up fast.

To register, the Marae Trust Chair or Committee Chair can email mahana.toka@tainui.co.nz to nominate a maximum of two registered tribal members and provide their contact details (full name, email, contact number).

Each participant needs to be aware that they will need to provide by the first waananga;

·       Proof of age, 18 years and over

·       A medical assessment by a registered GP

·       A signed model release for video/still footage throughout the waananga

For further information, please contact Mahana Toka on mahana.toka@tainui.co.nz