TE WHARE TAPA WHA¯ – TAHA WHA¯ NAU
OPINION: We’ve covered three sides of our Te Whare Tapa Wha¯ and now it’s time to finish off with the last taha of our whare, taha wha¯ nau.
Wha¯ nau is the Ma¯ ori word for family but, in this context, wha¯ nau can mean friends, family and your wider community.
This looks at the social wellbeing of a person and how the people around you can impact your hauora (health).
Whanaungatanga (relationships) is huge in Te Ao Ma¯ ori because as Ma¯ ori we are always together sharing kai (food), stories, spinning yarns and having cuppa convos.
It’s what binds us together as an iwi (tribe).
My marae is where I go to connect with my wha¯ nau.
It’s a place where we can celebrate events, have tangihanga (Ma¯ ori funerals), have massive feasts in the wharekai (dining hall) and wa¯ nanga together (have discussions).