Marama Beamish, project co-ordinator at Te Toki Voyaging Trust, had a dream to create a rangatahi kaitiaki programme for her community around Umupuia Marae, close to Maraetai.
A G.I.F.T grant of $50,000 supported Te Toki Voyaging Trust to run such a project in early 2018. The aim was to empower Ngāi Tai rangatahi (young people) to engage with elders and Iwi leaders, Māori scientists and facilitators, waka experts and the wider community, in a four-day programme based on the water and land around the marae.
This pilot project connected the young people with their role as kaitaiki (guardians) and allowed them to better understand their natural environment, not just using Western science and technology, but also through matauranga Māori – in particular through their pepeha (ways of introducing yourself).