Mana Whenua Academy

Building on the foundation and mahi of establishing a hub - including space for Tūhourangi-owned pakihi - in 2020, unveiling Pou Whenua in 2021, the marae for our Tūhourangi Whānau Day in 2022, Te Pūtake o Tawa is now the hub for our Mana Whenua Academy for 2023.

The Mana Whenua Academy is a kaupapa to strengthen Tūhourangi connections to our own whenua, with the use of mountain bikes.

The inaugural Mana Whenua Academy cohort had their first wānanga yesterday and will continue to meet regularly through September, October and November. This has been with the support of multiple Tūhourangi-owned businesses, Rotorua community collaborations and whānau expertise who have come together to bring a long-awaited vision to life.

Rangitihi Pene sharing whakapapa and historical kōrero about the area

There are over 160km of trails in the forest that shelters Tūhourangi and Ngāti Whakaue whenua, which entice and welcome thousands of manuhiri each month from Rotorua, across Aotearoa and around the world to ride and experience them. The Mana Whenua Academy looks to develop a pathway for more and more of the people enjoying the ngahere and tracks can trace their whakapapa to the whenua and feel comfortable out there.

If you’d like to learn more about the Mana Whenua or to support, please contact hana@tuhourangi.iwi.nz.