TE KANIKANI O TE TAIAO WĀNANGA ~ move as if the land is leading
Schedule
Fri, 19 Sep, 2025 at 09:00 am
UTC+12:00Location
Paekakariki Memorial Hall | Paekakariki , WG
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Te Kanikani o te Taiao is a weekend of movement, nature, and creativity, rooted in kaupapa Māori, Open Floor curriculum and held by Manahau Embodied Movement. At this moment of Equinox, light and dark stand in equal measure.
We arrive at a threshold ~ between inward and outward,
seed and shoot,
stillness and motion.
This year, we shift our dance from the height of Beltane to the balancing breath of Equinox.
As Movement Rites with nature is our guide.
We will listen to the rhythms of Papatūānuku (earth), Hinemoana (ocean), Tāwhirimātea (winds), Mahuika (fire), HinaMarama (the moon), and Hinenuitepō (transition, release, and deep time) be moved by ngā hau o te whenua, and shape our movement in harmony with the changing season and the maramataka that guides us.
What to expect as we gather -
To move with the natural world, not against it
Dance as ritual, as inquiry, as reclamation
Create with whenua, through taonga pūoro and art in motion
Deepen into embodied decolonial practice
Rebalance within ourselves what is being rebalanced around us
Each time we gather, we deepen.
This year we tune into the quiet power of Equinox ~ and let it move us.
BECAUSE ~ Equinox is not a pause ~ it is a pulse, it is a threshold.
A natural rite of passage held by the turning of the earth.
In this space, movement becomes mihi ~ a way to greet change, to honour where we’ve come from,
and to call in what’s next.
Through dance, we offer ourselves back to the land, to each other, and to the unfolding moment.
This is not just movement it is ritual.
And we will mark it as such.
We will be moving with and within the taiao.
Some of our sessions will take place outdoors ~ in bush, along creek beds, and on hilly terrain. Please bring warm, waterproof clothing and sturdy shoes so you can move comfortably in all weather.
If you have any access needs or may find uneven ground or walking uphill challenging, please let me know in advance so we can make arrangements to try and best support you.
This is a non-residential wānanga
You’ll need to arrange your own accommodation for the weekend.
We’ll be based in Paekākāriki on the beautiful Kāpiti Coast, and a great nearby option is the Paekākāriki Holiday Park, which offers cabins, campsites, and hot showers.
You can find more info and make a booking here:www.paekakarikiholidaypark.co.nz
Wātaka | Workshop Flow
Friday
6.30 – 9PM | Te Tīmatanga: Stepping into the Threshold ~ Open community dance.
Saturday
1 0AM – 1PM | Ngā Hau o te Whenua
1PM – 3PM | Kai Lunch
3PM – Sunset | Te Taiao hei Kaiako
630-7PM | Kai Dinner
7.30PM – 10PM | Te Ahi Kā: Movement as Mihi
Sunday
10AM – 1.30PM | Te Whakamau: Embodying the Return
The timings are a guide ~ we begin on time and aim to finish on time, but we’ll be moving with the weather, so expect a few natural shifts. This wānanga will only go ahead if there’s a solid, committed rōpū behind it.
If you’re feeling the call, let me know and get yourself registered.
This wānanga is supported by funding from the Tīpuna Project. If you are interested in coming but not able to find the funds, please know that we have four full scholarships. Please send me an email [email protected]
Refund Policy
No refunds will be given within 72 hours of the wānanga starting.
If you cancel up to two weeks before, you may receive a partial refund, minus the cost of any art materials already purchased on your behalf.
Cancellations made three weeks or more before the start date are eligible for a full refund, minus a $50 administration fee.
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Where is it happening?
Paekakariki Memorial Hall, 2 Pingau St, Paekakariki 5034, New Zealand, PaekakarikiEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
