A six-day tikanga Maori course held for offenders at Nga Whare Waatea marae is being hailed a success.

Tumamao Harawira, who tutored the eight recent prison leavers in haka powhiri and and waiata tautoko in preparation for the eventual graduation, said they threw themselves into the programme, which was part of probation requirements to rehabilitate and merge back into society.

The group was aged from 17 and 40.

"A couple of them knew some Maori tikanga. But for most of them it was their first experience. Most of them were eager to learn, and by the time they got to the powhiri, they were awesome," Mr Harawira ssays.

"Once they did it I think they were quite proud of themselves. I think it gave them confidence. So I hope this helps them to kick on to other things."

The group included Pacific Islanders, which called for a different approach.

Tutor Bert Karaka says he told the Niuean and Tongan participants: “We all travelled on the same waka. You just got off earlier. And from there, bam! I had them.”

Assistant Fran Hokianga says Nga Whare Waatea prides itself on fulfilling its obligations as to why it was established: a marae for all people, regardless of who the person is, or where they come from “Ko maatou tenei a Nga Whare Waatea.”[1]

Mrs Hokianga says some of the non-Maori participants were initially quite shy. “This Niuean boy, he said “I don’t have a marae.’ I said ‘what’s this marae? Look at where you are! It's yours.’”