Ngati Porou have always worked hard to maintain this whanaungatanga, to connect the people in a common identity and purpose. The maintenance of this dynamic is whanaungatanga, which then extends out to hapu and iwi. Tuakana would look after teina pakeke (elders) have the task of passing on knowledge of whakapapa and whaikorero to mokopuna (grandchildren), performing the whaikorero on marae or acting as advisors to local youth. Within whanau people have always had their roles. Whanau is more than just ‘family’ – it is about identity, purpose and being connected. Whanau life is central to being Ngati Porou.

Ngati Porou have found a variety of ways to maintain connections between whanau and hapu and iwi. Ngati Porou Spirituality and Faith | Ngati Porou Migration Maintaining Hapu and Iwi Connections | Ngati Porou Health Every whanau and hapu has their own perspective of their own lives: the following is one telling of the story… We also understood that our spiritual, physical and social needs were all connected to our unique and strong sense of identity. We also faced many challenges, whether it was health, migration or more recently whanau dysfunction, and we would often come up with unique solutions. Regardless of where we are, maintaining these connections have been crucial to our life, and we have worked hard to stay connected. Whanau, hapu and iwi life are central to being Ngati Porou.

Samantha hahi