TE WHARE TAPA WHĀ – TAHA WHĀNAU
OPINION: We’ve covered three sides of our Te Whare Tapa Whā and now it’s time to finish off with the last taha of our whare, taha whānau.
Whānau is the Māori word for family but, in this context, whānau 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 Māori because as Māori 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 whānau.
It’s a place where we can celebrate events, have tangihanga (Māori funerals), have massive feasts in the wharekai (dining hall) and wānanga together (have discussions).
Having a place to call home can strengthen your connection with the people you call family.
A place where you can all