Merekingi Harvey-Brewster | 13 August, 2024
Ngā Kaihautū is a 10-week leadership programme that brings together tāne from all walks of life. The name serves as a reminder of the potential they have to steer their lives in whatever direction they choose.
Kevin Pahina who is a facilitator of the programme, says the name Ngā Kaihautū is taken from the captain of a traditional waka.
“I use the values and attributes of the Kaihautū to establish the programme.”
The three core tikanga include:
Matakite: vision. What does a positive future look like?
Mātāpono: values. What will help the tāne to achieve their vision?
Whakapuaki: voice. The ability to use their voice effectively.
Kevin’s own journey began when he completed the Tāne Takitu Ake programme at Korowai Aroha. From there he joined Te Arawa Waka Taua under the leadership of Paora Te Hurihanganui, and was inspired by the traditional leadership qualities shown.
“I felt like these qualities really resonated with me and were pretty much the catalyst for the changes I made in my own life. Now, I’m using what I’ve learnt to create a space where other men can change their own lives.”
Ngā Kaihautu is guided by mātauranga Māori, using maramataka and atuatanga to help with programming.
“We spend time in the forest our first week, as this time is all about bringing our men together and grounding them. Tāne Māhuta helps with that connection.”
Other atua are used to guide the activities carried out over the next few weeks. Waka taua for Tangaroa, peaceful grounding activities for Rongomatāne such as rongoa Māori, and piki maunga for Tāwhirimātea.
Sam who is a previous participant and mentor of the programme, says being encouraged to develop his voice and share his story, was the most powerful part of the programme for him.
“Having to do speeches and share with the group gave me the ability to talk about things I’d been afraid to talk about in the past. It gave us all the power to talk freely without being judged, and telling my stories empowered others to tell theirs.”
Sam is now a facilitator of the programme Tāne Takitu Ake at Korowai Aroha and is creating safe spaces for men who are in the same position he once was.
For Kevin, it is rewarding to see the outcomes of positive change and see the men who have completed the programme excel and thrive within the community.
“The overall goal is to give them the ability to command their own waka and be kaihautū whether it be of their own lives, or those of their whānau.”
