Te Haerenga ki Hokianga:

Our Trip to Hokianga

By Nicholas Jones

4 April 2024

In early February, the James Henare Research Centre team travelled to the Hokianga to wānanga with kaumātua. We were honoured to be accompanied by the son of Sir James Henare and Chair of the Centre, Matua Bernard Henare. The team would like to say a special mihi to Matua Bernard for his support and guidance throughout our haerenga. The wānanga was part of the Centre’s HRC funded research into kaumātua health and wellbeing: Ko ngā kaumātua ō tātou taonga.

Our wānanga took place at Manea – The Footprints of Kupe, a cultural centre based in Ōmāpere. Here, kaumātua from Hokianga and Ahipara came together to share their mātauranga and discuss their concerns about the disestablishment of the Te Aka Whai Ora (the Māori Health Authority) and share their insights into the concept of koha. During our wānanga, the kaumātua expressed particular concern about the future for Māori health and called attention to the importance of tikanga in hauora Māori. The kaumātua in attendance also highlighted issues surrounding the institutionalisation of koha, and spoke of the difference between koha and a fee. During our time at Manea, the kaumātua and Research Centre team was treated to a multisensory journey into the pūrākau of Kupe, and the history, narratives, and traditions surrounding the Hokianga harbour. The manaaki expressed by the staff at Manea was exceptional.

On the following day, the James Henare Research Centre team and the Centre’s Advisory Board were warmly welcomed to Motutī Marae on the shores of the Hokianga Harbour for the James Henare Research Centre Advisory Board hui. The Research Centre team and Advisory Board members were treated to a smorgasbord of beautiful kai, including fresh kaimoana, sandwiches, salads, roast meats, cakes, and muffins. We were fortunate to also be given a tour of the Raiātea Resource and Archive Centre during our time at Motutī Marae where we learnt much about the history of the area. This was an invaluable experience. The team at the James Henare Research Centre would like to sincerely thank the haukāinga and ringawera of Motutī Marae for hosting us and their manaaki.

The unique perspectives and mātauranga shared by kaumātua and our Advisory Board during our haerenga to Hokianga continue to inspire us in our mahi. The research project is in its final year, and our reports and findings will be published later this year.