Kuaka Kōhatu

Kuaka Kōhatu was developed to provide understanding and support for educators and community organisations to authentically integrate te ao Māori and indigenous knowledge into their practice. Kuaka (godwit) - a significant bird within Māori culture representing resilience and endurance, the kuaka flies non-stop from Siberia to Aotearoa each year. Kōhatu (stone) - it is believed by some iwi Māori that the kuaka carries a stone in it's beak from Aotearoa on it's return to Siberia; this stone is magnetised to a specific beach in Aotearoa, therefore it guides the kuaka back to Aotearoa when it returns in September each year. The name 'Kuaka Kōhatu' represents the stone which draws the kuaka home, a symbol for indigenous people being drawn back to their cultural identity. Indigenous knowledge empowers people to re-connect with their cultural and spiritual identity. It also enhances Hauora (wellbeing) and kaitiakitanga (guardianship of land and culture). As a previous Health and Physical Education teacher at a high school in South Auckland, authentically integrating te ao Māori and indigenous practices was highly noticeable in empowering Māori and Pasifika students to grow and succeed. However, often indigenous practices are used only as tokenistic add ons instead of the foundation for learning, which removes the depth and value which ingenious knowledge has to offer. Accessibility to people who are able to teach indigenous knowledge authentically proved to be difficult, therefore Kuaka Kōhatu seeks to fill this gap and support educators in learning and implementing indigenous knowledge. Kuaka Kōhatu offers professional development sessions for teachers, educators and community leaders; consultancy for curriculum and strategic development; resource development; and facilitation of education sessions for students.