Te Ara Tū Taua
The Warriors Path
He ara ako, he ara rakatira
Through learning we walk the path of chiefs
Overview
Te Ara Tū Taua is a rakatahi led, rakatahi designed kaupapa grounded in Te Whare Tū Taua. It provides a structured pathway for cultural practice, leadership development, and accredited learning through mau rākau, tikaka, and collective responsibility.
Origins of the Kaupapa
Te Ara Tū Taua was established in Waihōpai in 2023 following the relocation of the Thomas whānau from Kaitāia. Through schooling and everyday experience, Hakopa Thomas observed a significant absence of visible Māori presence in Waihōpai not in people, but in access to marae, mātauraka, and cultural spaces.
Conversations with peers revealed discomfort and uncertainty around identity and whakapapa. This was taken as a tohu. Hakopa, alongside his brothers, approached Te Whare Tū Taua to establish a local mau rākau peka grounded in tikanga, accountability, and community consent.
Before any teaching began, the whānau engaged with rūnaka across Murihiku to seek permission and tautoko, ensuring the kaupapa was welcomed, supported, and properly held.
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The Kaupapa in Practice
Te Ara Tū Taua follows Te Whare Tū Taua mau rākau tradition and is delivered through regular training, wānaka, and collective learning.
Wanaka (Classes)
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Weekly sessions in Waihōpai (Monday and Wednesday)
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Fortnightly Sunday sessions in Waihōpai
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Fortnightly Sunday sessions in Hokonui
Monthly wānaka are held from February through to November, taking place on the second-to-last Friday and Saturday of each month.
All training locations, schedules, and wānaka details are available through the calendar and relevant rūnaka links.
Learning Pathway and Accreditation
Te Ara Tū Taua offers NCEA-accredited learning pathways aligned with Te Whare Tū Taua pou progression.
Available credits include:
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Level 1: up to 27 credits
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Level 2: up to 27 credits
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Level 3: up to 27 credits
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Level 4: up to 42 credits
Progression is based on attendance, commitment, readiness, and collective responsibility. While progression typically aligns to one pou per year, accelerated pathways may be possible with full participation and approval.
The kaupapa is physically and mentally demanding and requires consistency, humility, and discipline.
Pou Structure and Leadership
Ngā Taniwha o Murihiku operates under Bo McGee, Pou Waru and Pou Whakarae for Kohau Tū Taua and Nga Taniwha o Murihiku.
Local leadership includes:
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Kingi Heiwari Thomas (Pou Rima) Head kaiako, Murihiku
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Max Woodward (Pou Toru) Sanctioned for Ōraka Aparima
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Luca Pudda (Pou Toru) Santioned for Awarua
Hakopa, Hani, and Matiaha Thomas (Pou Rima) have been involved since the establishment of the kaupapa and continue to support its development and delivery.
Who This Pathway Is For
Te Ara Tū Taua is for everyone who is ready for commitment, responsibility, and deeper cultural learning. It is not a casual programme. Participation requires consistency, respect for tikanga, and willingness to contribute to collective wellbeing.
This pathway supports those who wish to grow as practitioners, leaders, and carriers of kaupapa into the future.