Kura Waitī Ki Kura Waitā

Kura Waitī Ki Kura Waitā is a programme of work developed to advance mātauranga Māori in environmental education – in both traditional and creative contemporary ways – and to develop career pathways for rangatahi.

Wai means water in te reo, and Waitī is the star that is connected to fresh water and all the creatures that live in rivers, streams and lakes.

Developed by Te Toki Voyaging Trust and funded by Waikato Regional Council, the programme was launched in 2022 and combines waka tētē with mātauranga Māori kaupapa.

This important mahi provides meaningful approaches to support kura with environmental learning in a way that also promotes te reo, tikanga and mātauranga.

The programme helps young people understand how they can make a difference in protecting, restoring and revitalising our waterways and addressing the impacts of climate change.

It helps build the confidence of rangatahi and their sense of connection to te taiao, encouraging future kaitiaki through an intergenerational framework in which whakapapa, pūrākau, whānau and iwi all play critical roles.

E hāngai ana, e hāpai hoki ana te Kura Waitī Kura Waitā ki Te Ture Whaimana o te awa o Waikato.

E whitu ngā kura kei te hoe i tēnei waka i tēnei wā, heoi, ko te tūmanako ka puāwaitia i roto i ngā tau.

Ko te poutokomanawa o tēnei hōtaka ko te awa tupuna o Waikato me ōna waitī me ōna waitā, arā ko onā arawai, tōna mauri me tōna oranga.

Kura Waitī Ki Kura Waitā aligns with and helps give effect to Te Ture Whaimana, the Vision & Strategy for the Waikato River.

Twelve Kura are currently involved but, the expectation is that the programme will continue to grow over time.

The programme follows a social ripple effect framework that has our tupuna awa Waikato me ōna waitī me ōna waitā, the health and wellbeing of our ancestral river and connected waterways, at its centre.