Parts 3 to 6 - Wānanga Day

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**Please note that the Agenda timings and content mentioned here for the Wānanga Day provide a rough outline, however there may be changes made on the day**

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Welcome to our wānanga (workshop) series as part of our 2024 Summer Program;

Te Tūmahanatanga Tawhiti: An International Exchange of Knowledge, Art and Culture.

This wānanga series has been created with the UK based Māori meeting house 'Hinemihi o Ao Tawhiti' in mind. Each wānanga session builds upon and integrates with the next, leading to an in-person Wānanga Day on Saturday 25th May at UCL Bloomsbury, London. Parts 1 and 2 will be hosted online, and Parts 3 to 6 will be held on the Wānanga Day.

These wānanga sessions are free to attend and open to all who'd like to learn more about our rich cultural heritage.

Our Aotearoa (New Zealand) based partners Ngā Kohinga Whakairo o Hinemihi will be in Rānana (London, UK) to co-host this kōrero (talk).

Part 3 - Welcome and updates on the Hinemihi Exchange Project

• Join us for a welcome to the Wānanga Day and an overview of the upcoming sessions.
• Hear a brief update on the Hinemihi Exchange Project.

Part 4 - Artistry in Architecture: Exploring the Intricacies of Whare Design

• Delve into the design aspects of Whare, including size, orientation, and different spaces.
• Learn about the narrative embedded in Whakairo (carvings) and their significance.
• Understand the directional pathways and interpretive elements of Whakairo design.

Part 5 - Cultural Anchors: Hinemihi's Legacy and the proposed Whare

• An opportunity for the UK based community to discuss our historical relationship with Hinemihi o te Ao Tawhito.
• Understand Hinemihi's significance as a cultural symbol and gathering place.
• Discuss the proposed whare and it's significance for future generations of UK-based New Zealand, Pasifika and Maori peoples

Part 6 - Guiding Principles: Navigating Tikanga and Kawa

• Discover the historical origins and contemporary interpretations of Tikanga and Kawa, including their role in fostering respect and community cohesion.
• Explore the impact of colonisation and The Tohunga Suppression Act 1907 on Māori engagement with Tikanga and Kawa (customs and protocols) in the whare.
• Engage in open discussions about adapting Tikanga and Kawa within the UK context, reflecting on past interactions with Hinemihi o te Ao Tawhito and envisioning future practices for community development and cultural preservation.

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Previous sessions in this wānanga series are(separate Eventbrite tickets required):

Part 1 - Cultural Foundations: Understanding the Whare's Significance [Online - Sunday May 12th, 8pm - 9:30pm]

• Understand the essence of a Whare (meeting house) and its significance in Māori culture.
• Explore the evolution of Whare, different parts of the Whare, Origins of Whakairo (Carvings) and Whakairo Interpretation
• Learn about the concepts of Tapu and Noa (Sacred and Common forces) and the Tikanga and Kawa (protocols and customs) governing Whare interactions.

Part 2 - Journey into the Whare: Exploring Modern Whare Concepts [Online - Monday May 13th, 8pm - 9:30pm]

• Discover successful examples of Whare in educational and commercial environments.
• Explore the challenges faced by modern Whare and their resolutions.
• Examine Whare functioning outside of Aotearoa (New Zealand) and their impact.

Māori meeting house, known as Hinemihi te Ao Tawhito | © National Trust Images/Nick Meers

Carving on the Māori meeting house, known as Hinemihi te Ao Tawhito | © National Trust Images/Nick Meers

Host or Publisher Te Maru o Hinemihi