November 29, 2013
Mau rakau revivalists celebrate 30 years
Several hundred people are at Rakautatahi Marae in the Hawkes Bay celebrating the 30th anniversary of Te Whare Tu Taua, the organisation that revived the Maori martial art of mau rakau.
Foundation member Pita Sharples says many of the original members are there, along with members from branches in London, Hawaii, Brisbane and many rangatahi who are just starting on the journey.
It’s a trip down memory lane for many, as they remember the early days when they slept rough with few resources but a determination to learn.
The programme has remained the same, with participants taking 10 to 15 years to get through the eight stages.
"It’s a leadership programme even though they learn to fight and spar, they learn to heal, they learn to dance for the performing arts with the rakau, it’s used for just about everything, the long club and the short club, so it’s a pretty major course," Dr Sharples says.
Another seven trainees including one woman will graduate the eighth step or pou waru this weekend, making a total of 32 over the 30 years.
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