Emotional graduation ceremony as Ngāti Apa's next generation of leaders stand tall

Wednesday, 31 July 2019

The rangatahi perform a haka during the graduation ceremony at the Omaka Marae.

Te Ao Marama Nepia welled up after revealing how a six-day cultural leadership programme changed her for the better.

She was one of about 20 rangatahi, or young people, to graduate from Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō's 10th Mana Rangatahi wānanga, or programme, at Omaka Marae in Blenheim on July 20.

Nepia, who had attended all 10 programmes over the past five years, recalled how participants started their first programme as a 'big family', and had remained close since then.

Rangatahi headed to Meretoto in Tōtaranui//Queen Charlotte Sound to learn more about their connection to the whenua, or land.

'We've have our ups and downs, but we all come out a better person,' she said.

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Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō cultural advisor Kiley Nepia, her father, said the programme allowed current leaders to come together and prepare the next generation, who would one day run the tribe.

The Mana Rangatahi crew train at Punga Cove in Tōtaranui/Queen Charlotte Sound.

'We know New Zealand suffered dearly through colonisation. This is the solution. All we do is take their seed of greatness and water that seed,' he said.

'In my generation, 90 per cent of Māori grew up pākehā. The reason why this goes for six days is it takes that long for everyone to transform. We need to break people down in order to bring them back up. We didn't have this opportunity, but they do.'

Tauira, or students, are serenaded by Māori musician Tawaroa Kawana at the ASB Theatre, who composed a song to mark the 10th Mana Rangatahi milestone.

The first day of the programme was about 'being a bit silly' and letting participants get to know each other, Nepia said.

On the third day, the group travelled to Meretoto/Ship Cove, which was a wāhi tapu, or sacred place, for Ngāti Apa.

Lucas Baker, back left, speaks about his experiences to whānau and friends.

Ngāti Apa was one of three iwi who where in Te Tauihu, or the top of the south, when Captain Cook arrived at Meretoto/Ship Cove in 1770.

Nepia said the visit allowed their rangatahi to better prepare for national Tuia 250 commemorations in November, and ensure Ngāti Apa could tell its 'truth and narrative'.

Nellie-Jane Robinson welled up during graduation speech at Ngāti Apa's 10th Mana Rangatahi wānanga.

A concert was held on the last night at Blenheim's ASB Theatre, closing the programme on a high.

When it came to graduation speeches, there was not a dry eye in the room.

Lucas Baker, an 'original generation' graduate, said he found one of the programme's biggest takeaways was self-love and support.

'Māori have the highest suicide rates in New Zealand. My parents said, 'You will not become a statistic'. Our ancestors carried on in their own way, and we will continue to do the same,' he said.

'This has given me life-long friends. Everywhere we go, we will have family and fallbacks. It's a never-ending journey of knowledge for us, and we're only just beginning.'

Nellie-Jane Robinson, who was awarded 'senior warrior' at the wānanga, said she had attended nine of the 10 programmes.

'Five years ago I used to be a little pākehā girl with no eyebrows. Now, I can proudly call myself Māori. I'm so grateful for this experience,' she said.