Graduates cultural exchange 2025

Graduates head to Japan and Singapore

Six graduates of Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi’s Te Pou Hono ki Toi programme, forming the delegation Whiria he Tangata (Weaving people, Weaving Culture), recently took part in a cultural exchange in Japan and Singapore, made possible through the Prime Minister’s Scholarship (PMS) awarded by New Zealand Education. 

The trip focused on Indigenous art and cultural exchange, strengthening relationships between Māori and other Indigenous communities, while showcasing both traditional and contemporary weaving practices. 

E’Mere Puketapu-Dahm, Te Pou Hono ki Toi Kaiako, explains, “The aim was to celebrate Māori weaving traditions and knowledge on an international platform by showcasing the cultural significance of whatu (a weaving technique) and its role in expressing whakapapa and identity. 

“Our whatu workshops were hands-on, with each participant creating a contemporary kākahu that incorporated traditional weaving techniques using modern materials. This exchange fostered meaningful conversations about the preservation and revitalisation of Indigenous weaving arts in a global context. 

“It also provided an opportunity to learn from the weaving techniques and practices of the Ainu, the Indigenous people of Japan, as well as engage in cultural exchange in Singapore, offering a deeper understanding of both the similarities and differences between our cultural traditions. 

“The whole experience reinforced the confidence and skills of our graduates as practitioners.” 

The group also visited the New Zealand Embassy in Shibuya City, Japan, where they met with Embassy representatives. 

“There, we demonstrated the kaupapa of our trip through a hands-on weaving experience. This exercise highlighted the global impact of Māori weaving and the significance of Indigenous cultural exchanges in strengthening diplomatic and educational ties between Aotearoa and our host countries.” 

Te Pou Hono ki Toi is one of a suite of marae-centred Te Pou Hono programmes delivered nationally, designed to support whānau, hapū, and iwi in revitalising and strengthening all aspects of Te Ao Māori through their own unique local lenses. 

Te Rito Maioha Training (TRM) delivers the programme for Wainuiomata Marae in Wellington and was responsible for the successful application of the PMS. 

“Our tauira are empowered to dream big and expand their horizons beyond Aotearoa. To qualify for the scholarship, they first had to successfully complete the Te Pou Hono ki Toi certificate. We are proud of our six graduates, four of whom are rangatahi, who qualified and gained a lot from the experience.” 

For more information about Te Pou Hono Programmes and how to get involved, please see links below.