Active Whakapapa: Deepening Our Connection to Whenua

There’s something powerful about learning the stories of the whenua while standing on it.

Our Le Moana West Collective Steering Group recently joined Te Kawerau ā Maki for an Active Whakapapa hīkoi - a guided walk bringing the histories, whakapapa and knowledge of West Auckland to life through storytelling and shared experience.

The hīkoi was another step in the relationship we are continuing to build with Te Kawerau ā Maki. Earlier in our journey, our Collective took part in a cultural induction that gave us an important foundation — learning about mana whenua, local histories, the meanings behind familiar place names, and the responsibilities that come with living and working on this whenua.

Active Whakapapa allowed us to build on that foundation by getting outside, walking the whenua together and experiencing those connections in a different way.

For Le Moana West Collective, nurturing our relationship with mana whenua is an important part of how we work in West Auckland. As a Collective representing Pacific communities and organisations, we recognise that meaningful partnership cannot be built through a single hui, induction or project. Relationships need time, consistency and care. They grow when we continue to show up, listen, learn from one another and create opportunities to spend time together.

This is particularly important as we think about the future of our work. The stronger our relationships are, the better positioned we are to understand each other’s aspirations, identify where our communities can work alongside one another, and ensure the work we lead across West Auckland is grounded in respect for the whakapapa and mana whenua.

The hīkoi was also an opportunity to strengthen relationships within our own Steering Group. Away from our usual meetings, we could walk, kōrero, learn and reflect together - reminding us that collective work is built as much through relationships as it is through plans and programmes.

We are grateful to Te Kawerau ā Maki for continuing to generously share their knowledge and stories with us. Each experience builds on the last, and we look forward to continuing to nurture this relationship as our Collective grows.