September 10, 2015
Marae is a waka for leadership.
That’s the view of Valerie Teraitua, who has been named this year’s Tu Rangatira Mo Te Ora Maori public health champion Public Health Association for her work at Papatuanuku Kokiri Marae in Mangere.
The nomination cited her work supporting the development of leadership skills among Maori young over the last 15 years, including using the marae garden as a place of learning and a springboard for language and health projects.
Ms Teraitua says it’s a full day at the marae, starting with a free fitness class for mums at 5.30 in the morning, going on to zumba in the evening.
She says she became aware of the marae while working at the old Manukau City Council, and wanted to carry on the vision of ?? the kuia who set up the gardens.
"And her vision was to be able to provide a whenua to help people in need. To help our whanau in need but also to provide a place for rangatahi to live our tikanga with utilising the maara as a vehicle for being able to bring our whanau and community together.
Papatuanuku Kokiri Marae has recently been verified and validated as an organic garden and workplace by Te Waka Kai Ora, Maori Organics Aotearoa.
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