TE MĀHURI
A kaupapa Māori programme for taiohi/teenagers aged 13-16
What is Te Māhuri?
Te Māhuri is an Adventure Therapy programme that we run in partnership with Purapura Whetu Trust, a provider of Māori mental health services in Ōtautahi Christchurch.
- For Māori taiohi/teenagers
- Aged 13-16
- Based in Ōtautahi Christchurch
- Runs one day a week during the school term
- Duration: 6-9 weeks
- Small groups
- Beginner-friendly outdoor adventure activities
- Free
A focus on Te Ao Māori
Te Māhuri builds on the foundation laid by Te Pia (another programme run by Purapura Whetu Trust which is an introduction to Adventure Therapy for teenagers).
Te Māhuri offers taiohi (young people) an opportunity to immerse themselves in Te Taiao (the natural world) with an emphasis on whānau ora and Te Ao Māori values.
Te Māhuri guides taiohi on a journey of self-discovery and community bonding.
You will get to try a variety of outdoor activities (see below) while connecting deeply with Te Whenua (the land) and your Māori identity.
Seven Values
Te Māhuri is structured around seven key values:
- Whānau Ora (family health)
- Ngāi Tahutanga (Ngāi Tahu culture and traditions)
- Te Ao Māori (Māori identity and worldview)
- Mana Tangata (leadership and self-determination)
- Te Ao Turoa (the natural environment)
- Mahinga Kai (food cultivation)
- Te Pūtake (strengthening capability and responsiveness)
Outdoor activities
Each week, we will try a new, beginner-friendly outdoor adventure activity. Depending on the weather, it could be one of the following:
- Kayaking
- Rock climbing
- Surfing
- Bush walk
- Fishing
- Camping
- High ropes
- Hut building
All of the activities are beginner-friendly so don’t worry if you haven’t tried them before! We provide all the equipment you will need (like kayaks and life jackets).
What is Adventure Therapy?
Adventure Therapy is a type of therapy where we take a small group on fun, beginner-friendly outdoor adventure activities (like kayaking, rock climbing, biking, bush walking, etc.) combined with group activities (like facilitated conversations) which focus on wellbeing and healing.
OTHER KAUPAPA MĀORI PROGRAMMES
Te Waonui is only one of the Adventure-Based Learning programmes that are run by Purapura Whetu Trust for young people and adults. Find out more about their other programmes:
FOLLOW OUR ADVENTURES
Every week, we share stories and photos and videos from our recent outdoor adventure/wellbeing programmes, as well as advertise upcoming programmes, job vacancies and internship opportunities. Sign up to our newsletter (at the bottom of this page) or follow us on social media:
“It is not the mountain we conquer but ourselves.”
—SIR ED HILLARY HILLARY