March 22, 2023
Whiria Nga Hua inspires Ngāti Rangi whanau
Central North Island iwi Ngāti Rangi is responding to the economic shocks hitting the area by encouraging its people to chase their dreams.
Pou Arahi Helen Leahy says the closure of the Chateau Tongariro and the collapse of Ruapehu Alpine Lifts has created huge uncertainty.
The iwi responded with its Whiria Nga Hua fund to invest in ideas and initiatives that improve well-being outcomes for whanau.
Projects funded include a highly popular butchery course that allows people to fill their freezers with sausages and choice cuts, cultural heritage, healing, swimming classes, and a CrossFit-style programme led by Elaine Wallace which won last weekend’s 57-kilometre Ka Waewae Tātahi O Te Awa Tupua relay along the Whanganui River Road.
“That’s pretty good going when you are mobilising whanau to such an extent that you can enter into a tribal competition like that, walking the land literally of Te Awa Tupua, and you come home with the first prize,” Ms Leahy says.