The group has a strong core of 35 whanau, and promotes partnership with local schools.
Mana Tiaki chairman, Tikitu Tutua-Nathan says his organisation wants parents to engage more with their schools, and for the schools to engage more with parents, with the aim of raising the achievements of their tamariki.
“Having someone to take care of the day to day running of our group has enabled us to focus on what matters most – our tamariki and their whanau,” says Tikitu.
“Many of our Maori whanau members feel a strong desire to learn more about their culture, especially as the majority of them have relocated here, far from their tribal origins.”
The Mana Tiaki tamariki are keen kapa haka participants and the group is planning to run a kapa haka festival at the end of the year to promote Maori performing arts. Its kapa haka tutor runs classes in several of the local schools.
“All this has added to the cultural heritage and awareness of our whanau members. We build Mana Tiaki whakawhanaungatanga – in the spirit of family,” says Tikitu.
