Kii Tai

06/08/2024

Once upon a time, a long time ago 😂 good, sound, official & professional river advice to any up & coming Riverguide (now… Cultural Navigator) was ⬇️

“Look for the V (the deepest part of the river where the current mobilises into one channel), commit to your line (where you intend to steer your waka/canoe) and paddle hard 🛶”

Well… let’s start with a back story…

It wasn’t that long ago (for a number of reasons that will come across too strong to the fragile)… our people of the river (Māori from Whanganui) were disconnected (at least in an embodied manner) to their river.

And not too long before that… say a hundred years or so. That physical & embodied disconnect wasn’t something we perhaps even considered possible. Well… the disconnect is REAL and the need for reconnection is even more real.

So… taking a few leaps forward back to nowadays again, it’s important to highlight the vision of some of our tuupuna for initiating our annual Tira Hoe Waka (annual tribal pilgrimage) of the Whanganui River where we as descendents traverse the length of the river from the Mountain’s to the Sea. And that in doing so, we saw the revival of our narratives, our songs & our intrinsic connection to ourselves again.

And with that reconnection, comes the reminder that…

It is a relationship with the river, with the environment & not one that advocates on behalf of… that see’s the best solutions… if we really ARE, serious about looking after the environment.

So to counter the age old advice above, the video here shows that… the safest passage when navigating some of The River’s biggest rapids, is actually in the calmer waters that sit right beside the turbulence 🤔

So to our fellow tribesman 😬😅😂🤪 perhaps our beautiful waiata ‘Pokarekare Ana’ could be re-worded to

Pokarekare ana
ngā tahataha
o ngā wai o Whanganui
Tirohia te
waimāmā e
kia kore e tipi e

🤣🤣🤣

01/08/2024

Relieved… to have our first waiata (Māori song) accessible via YouTube 💪

After multiple attempts to build & sustain a channel to help people access te ao Māori, we have more confidence now that this is the beginning of something for life 🤞😬😇

The original channel (as many may have been aware) was but for the foreseeable future, associating all of our work with Ash Patea Entrepreneur & Facilitator himself is why the channel can be found simply by typing in to YouTube ☺️

Hope you enjoy following the words… and if you want a PDF that has the guitar chords, PM via Insta or Facebook

Be one of our first YouTube subscribers 🤞

31/07/2024

A waiata (Māori song) written to acknowledge the loss felt by Whanganui Iwi of the late Sir Archie Taiaroa. Referenced in the waiata as Te Atawhai, composers Turama Hawira & Raukura Waitai taught this waiata to uri (descendents) of the Whanganui River for the first time in 2011. It’s a beautiful waiata for all to learn.

18/06/2024

Looking forward to working with more people in the near future… do not hesitate to reach out if any of this sounds of interest 🌿

18/06/2024

Happy to announce we’ll have some spots avail for people to engage in some upcoming professional development opportunities…

Anyone interested, stay tuned for more details, stories & taonga to give away 😇

04/06/2024

The practice of 'mihi' from te ao Maaori, is a practice that energises spaces to be connected. It's a practice of acknowledgement beyond just people. With a structure that enables people to invoke the energies that that exist within our mountains, within our rivers & within the whole of the environment around us, to be present with us!

Many people have pm'd us their email to receive a PDF of this resource. And after a few tweeks (which took waaaaay longer than we thought) we finally have this for anyone who values it.

The practice of 'mihi' is a taonga. A taonga that could add value to the lives of so many. Keep your eyes posted, because in July sometime... we're gonna run a 'mihi' challenge!

Ngaa mihi nui

02/06/2024

A tiny snippet of some Māori magic on non-Māori which makes our mahi (job) so much more meaningful & worth it 💪

30/05/2024

A sneak peak into our new App in the making 👀🙄🧐

30/05/2024

The practice of mihi is more than an introduction!

Because it is a practice that centres itself in connection beyond people!

And with what's going on in the World, it probably sounds optimistic that a practice like this could really begin a pathway to slow down & end the destruction happening - which in many ways is caused by a deep sense of disconnection. By way of people & land. So, here we are... trying to add value amonst the World's chaos

This is only a tiny snippet of a whole 'Mihi' educational resource we have! If you would like a PDF emailed to you... PM us your email & we'll get it to you as soon as we can! There is loads of support to either help you begin your 'mihi journey' or strengthen what you already have - for the beginners & the advanced 😅 😅 😅

29/05/2024

Candid moments reveal so much about how people really feel

28/05/2024

🤩🛶🌿

28/05/2024

A river experience shared through the voice of Arapera Tapiata - a University student & descendant of the Whanganui river itself 🌿

27/05/2024

Beginning the week proud!

Proud to share that we’ve successfully graduated 176 people through one of our accredited courses run under the umbrella of Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi.

What makes our education deliveries unique, is that our leader Ash Patea Entrepreneur & Facilitator knows that learning environments cannot be limited to the classroom whether your a child or an adult! And he curates experiences that bringing people & nature together, held by tikanga that is inherent to the people of the Whanganui river!

It’s a bittersweet celebration, because whilst we’ve graduated and upskilled so many alongside Awanuiarangi, it’s also time to farewell this partnership with aroha, as we’ve decided to continue delivering transformative education experiences… but on our own two feet.

It won’t be long & you’ll see exactly what’s next on the horizon!

“Whaia te pae tawhiti kia tata, whakamaua te pae tata kia ū”

22/05/2024

We’ve had the privilege of hosting Staff from Te Oranganui for the last three years in a row.

Over those years, we’ve seen their Staff connect on a deeper level with our awa, Whanganui and the role it needs to play in framing what wellness looks like through a river-centric lens.

Here the CE of Te Oranganui (our Aunty) talks about the impact of the river on herself and the way she leads her organisation. A role model for many to follow.

And bit by bit, week by week, month by month… ya’ll might begin to see just what Kii Tai does & how it truely does it’s best to transform the World, and the role people themselves have in it 🏔️🛶🌊

10/05/2024

When a picture speaks louder than words

09/05/2024

If you're not following our Youtube channel... you can find it by searching in the YouTube search bar. Help us make te ao Maaori (the Maaori world) accessible for all.

It's definitely for you if you're:

🌿 a Teacher looking for video resources
🌿 an organisation that wants to add more waiata & knowledge to your team meetings
🌿 somebody who enjoys learning waiata
🌿 a family member wanting to share the power of waiata with you friends & whaanau

08/05/2024

Learn a new waiata 🎶🎵🎧

Only a select few people have been exposed to this melodic, simple & easy to sing-along waiata.

Words woven together by Ash Patea, they intend to give people an opportunity to acknowledge the significance of wai (water) as it flows from somewhere... to somewhere. We're merely just a part of the the water's journey.

🌿 Follow along to the words on our YouTube channel
https://youtu.be/jlEj47MgG9Y

🌿 PM us your email if you'd like a PDF of this waiata

07/05/2024

Meet one of the most inspiring men in our lives - good ole & legendary 'Uncle Mike.'

We've committed to curating experiences. Experiences that truely transform the way people see the World 🌏 including us, people of the river & the World before us.

The World itself is filled with magic... but there's just something about being in the shadows of people who have direct whakapapa (genealogical connection) to place. And in our case, the timeless presence of our very own river, Whanganui.

"our river is a feature that can be a part of all of our lives" - Michael Poa.

05/05/2024

'Oha' more commonly known as hongi, is one of the most powerful ways of connecting people to people, people to place & people to purpose 🌿

It's a unique practice that Maaori have carried for centuries.

Any experience with us is more than just a river trip, a facilitated workshop or a visit to the Marae. It's actually deep dive into the nuance's & the intricacies of a World 🌏 that is more often than not mis-interpreted, misunderstood & seen only through the worldview of the spectator.

To make a difference in the lives of others, the only way we know... is to stand secure in the worldview of way.

25/04/2024

It’s always easier to relate to the Māori 🌏 when you can understand what things are talking about…

And whilst this isn’t always something so easy to translate, interpretation is key!

So what does the karakia - aio mean?

Have a listen & pm if you want a useable PDF with the words & the meaning!

This video is intended to give you an idea about what you're talking about when you take up a challenge of reciting the karakia 'Aio Ki Te Nuku.'"Kawea te ma...

25/04/2024

We humans may adapt & change, but our karakia remain consistent!

This may be an oldie... but it sure is a goodie!

The karakia - aio! Just for ya'll 🌿

23/04/2024

An experience with our team is so much more than a facilitated workshop, or a scenic trip into nature 🌿

It's actually, an opportunity for people to find themselves, to connect with others and to find common purpose! And why is this even important? Because connection in a World of disconnection is something we champion 💪🏼

Alison shares her experiences with one of our river retreats 🛶

And in case you're interested... you're welcome to inquire... but we have no scheduled river retreats until October... and who knows, we might see you there😜

23/04/2024

Wairua, a Maori concept of spiritual essence, isn’t confined to spirituality. It's a natural force that exists in the tangible World that can infuse magic into our lives everyday.

In 2022 we launched our very first wairua course called “Te Pouhono Ki Wairua.”

Starting as a pilot course with Intermediate School , we’ve coached more than 200 people through it since then 😀 with 176 successfully graduating with our certificate through Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi

We could tell you how amazing it is, or let the comments of participants speak for themselves 🔥

18/03/2024

To think that a lil old river…

🌿 in one of the World’s 🌏 smallest country‘s (by population)…
🌿 has a river 💧 that has drawn so much global attention…
🌿 yes, our very own… Whanganui River 🛶

It’s one thing for a river to recognised by the modern law & granted legal personhood... a fantastic feat may we add 💪 but another thing to sustain an interpersonal relationship with that very same river.

Uncle Michael Poa (as shown in this image) is an example of someone who has role modelled what it really means to have a relationship with a river. Our river. The Whanganui River. And in doing so… he’s role modelled the importance to welcome other people to our river by acknowledging their rivers… and the mountains, hills, lakes & crevasses of the Earth that they descent from 💦

If you’re lucky… and you get to experience a trip with us in the next upcoming Summer (October - March 2024/25) you just might be able to meet this mysterious one-of-a-kind human 🔥

07/03/2024

🌿 Connection in a World of disconnection 🌍💚

Let’s be honest! The World and everyday life is crazy making it so hard to keep ourselves well, healthy & connected to nature. Yet! Nature is an essential part of our well-being 🌳

The best thing about Kii Tai & ia Culture is that an experience with us does more than connect you with nature… but connect you with us others, connect you to deeper parts of yourself in a manner that lends itself to shape your whole worldvie 🌱

Our connection to the most magical river in the World, Whanganui, truely shapes everything we do! And whether you experience the river with us, or engage in any of our in-person or digital workshops… connecting people, place and purpose together in the same way that the river does from the mountains to the sea this is our mission! Cultivating deeper connections in a holistic manner... just like the river💧

04/03/2024

It's been a long time since Kii Tai has been active on Social Media... and that's because, there is something we do really, really well! And that is deliver 🔥

Nobody else on the Earth can deliver what Kii Tai offers, and that is education experiences are transformative in mind, in heart & in spirit 🌀

These pictures give you a little insight into some of the things that have kept us busy doing the mahi (work) 💪🏼

BUT wait... we've got some amazing posts ready to begin showing the World 🌏 everything that we believe in, and everything that we know is making a difference in the lives of others!

Keep posted every week... because there's bound to be something for you to learn, something to reflect on, something to listen to and some inspiring words from people who have experienced us and our World 😉

21/06/2023

Matariki is a great time to appreciate the old in preparation for welcoming the new! That's our excuse for highlighting the gems of our recent & amazing river season on the beautiful Whanganui River in preparation for the new season starting October 🛶
..and we have to start sharing some of the amazing experiences people have had with us!

Hold fast, because you're about to read, see and experience what has been many people's most transformative experience of a lifetime!

PS: our river experiences will be re-branded as IA River Retreats. And Kii Tai will remain strong in promoting & facilitating environmental & river education!

19/03/2023

...Tikanga is not static – it’s an ever-evolving way of life that has been shaped by different experiences throughout the years...

22/01/2023

The connection between your 'ia' (flow) and the Environment

Water is constantly in motion, ebbing and flowing with the currents of the world around us. Just like water, our energy can rise and fall in response to various experiences and situations. As we wade through life, we must be mindful of how our energy is affected by our environment.

There is so much we could all learn from rivers and nature. And when we understand the importance of being one with our waterways we get closer to understanding the local Whanganui tribal saying "Ko au te awa ko te awa ko au - I am the river and the river is me."

13/10/2022

We live in a World where the individual has grown to become more powerful than the collective...
..where we are more connected to each other with technology than ever before, but growing more & more lonely as individuals at the same time.

Oranga-ā-whānau - Social wellness is more than just connecting people to each to other.

It is about connecting people to people, people to the places important to them and people to a purpose greater than themselves.