Welcome to Episode 1 of ‘Papatupu Papakāinga ki Taranaki - papakāinga as vehicles for self-determination and living as Taranaki Māori”.
The Edwards’ whānau papakāinga was established in 2008 at Waokena in South Taranaki on tūpuna whenua (ancestral land). The whānau whakapapa to Tāngahoe, Te Pakakohi, Ngāti Ruanui, Ngāruahine, Taranaki Iwi and other iwi of Taranaki.
After many wānanga, over some years, the whānau created a vision of living together communally on their ancestral land in a nurturing environment that fosters the expression of Taranaki Māori tikanga and identity and healing of whenua and whānau.
When designing papakāinga it is important to think about how people will live day-to-day and what design features can encourage communal living so that regular interaction with one another happens naturally. At this papakāinga, having a whānau space and an office has been important so the whānau can regularly interact, hold hui and wānanga, host other relatives and wider community members, relax and work together.
Reo and tikanga have been a major priority. The whānau are fortunate to have proficient speakers who are pou reo (Māori language leaders) within the papakāinga and the wider community. One of the current priorities on the papakāinga is mahi maara, not only to grow fresh and nutritious food but also for food sovereignty and self-determination. The maara is a place of healing and collective empowerment, for intergenerational interaction and to reinforce group identity and values.
The vision has always been intergenerational, so keeping succession at the forefront and involving tamariki and rangatahi in the planning is essential so that the vision is shared by those who are the future of the papakāinga. Ultimately, papakāinga are a place for nurturing all generations, especially the tamariki and mokopuna, so that they realise their individual and collective potential.
