Te Uira Māripi is about more than learning how to cut meat. It is about restoring confidence, rebuilding capability, and strengthening the role of whānau within their marae.
Across the wānanga, participants came in with low confidence. Many shared that they didn’t know where to start, especially when it came to preparing meat for tangihanga and hui. Some stayed on the edges of the kitchen, wanting to help but unsure how.
Through a hands-on, step-by-step approach, that began to change.
Each wānanga created a safe learning environment. The day started with whakawhanaungatanga, karakia, and clear guidance that there was no pressure and no whakamā. Participants were introduced to the basics first — how to hold a knife, how to stand, how to keep themselves and others safe. From there, they progressed into watching a full demonstration, before moving into small groups to practise each step themselves.
Learning was practical and grounded. Participants were shown how to break down a carcass, identify different cuts, and understand how each part of the animal could be used. They learnt how to trim meat, reduce waste, and prepare portions suitable for whānau and marae use. Just as importantly, they learnt how to sharpen knives, maintain equipment, and safely store and transport meat.
By the end of the wānanga, there was a clear shift.
Participants spoke about knowing where to start their cuts, understanding different sections of meat, and feeling confident using knives safely. Many expressed that they could now break down a beast and prepare it properly for their marae.
This shift wasn’t just about skill — it was about identity.
34 out of 35 participants now see themselves as someone who can support marae meat preparation. That means more people stepping forward during tangihanga and hui. More people willing to contribute. More people who feel like they belong in those spaces.
The impact also extended beyond the individual.
For many marae, there had been a reliance on one or two people to carry the responsibility of butchering, or on external providers to prepare meat. Through Te Uira Māripi, that burden is now shared. Capability sits within the collective, not with one person.
One kaumātua reflected on this shift, sharing how meaningful it was to see the next generation step into these roles. Where once there was dependence, there is now confidence across the whānau.
The wānanga also strengthened connections across generations. Whānau learnt together, supported each other, and built relationships through shared experience. For some, it was a chance to reconnect with their marae and their role within it.
At its core, Te Uira Māripi is contributing to stronger, more resilient marae.
Whānau are becoming self-managing and empowered leaders. They are more confident in contributing to marae life, more capable in preparing kai, and more connected to their culture and each other.
The skills gained do not stay within the wānanga. They are taken home, shared with others, and applied in real situations — in kitchens, at tangihanga, and across everyday whānau life.
That is how this kaupapa grows.
Not just through numbers, but through people.
And through the confidence to step forward when it matters most.