Skip Content
Taringa is brought to you by Te Wānanga o Aotearoa.

With the support of Te Wānanga o Aotearoa, Oranga Tamariki is making a continuous and conscious effort to strengthen the knowledge and respect for Māori culture amongst their kaimahi, as well as a commitment to better fulfil their Tiriti o Waitangi obligations.

In August, Oranga Tamariki launched the Taringa Podcast series as an internal tool for their kaimahi to use and increase their knowledge of te ao Māori. Taringa Podcast is included as part of the Oranga Tamariki Māori cultural capability programme ‘Te Hāpai Ō’ which was designed to improve outcomes for tamariki and their whānau.

“The hope and aim of Te Hāpai Ō are to help our people develop and grow their cultural capability. And by adding the Taringa Podcast to a growing puna of resources we are exposing our people to mātauranga that will help them grow,” says Mahi Parata, senior advisor for Te Hāpai Ō.

This launch follows on from the success of their earlier venture, Tū Māia, an immersive, noho-based training programme focussed on the Māori cultural capability of Oranga Tamariki kaimahi.
Tū Māia was delivered by a collective of wānanga including Te Wānanga o Aotearoa, Te Wānanga o Raukawa, and Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi, and demonstrated the positive effect of hands-on learning.

“Tū Māia has undeniably served as foundation stones upon which our people embark on their journey with te ao Māori. For those that have had the opportunity to participate in the programme, it has provided a catalyst for positive change within Oranga Tamariki, fostering cultural growth, empathy, and unity amongst our people,” says Mahi.

Adding Taringa to the mix extends the hands-on learning approach and emphasises the commitment that Oranga Tamariki has in supporting their kaimahi to achieve more meaningful engagement with Māori whānau.

The collaboration between Te Wānanga o Aotearoa and Oranga Tamariki reinforces the dedication that both organisations have towards fostering an Aotearoa where te ao Māori is not only acknowledged but understood, respected, and celebrated.

“I believe it remains essential for Oranga Tamariki to align with the organisations and institutions that excel in developing and delivering programmes and or creating content that pertains to mātauranga i roto i te ao Māori. If our aim is to help our people grow and develop their own cultural capability, then it is vital to partner appropriately,” says Mahi.

Taringa Podcast is a mixture of Māori and English and has over 3 million downloads. It’s a great way to learn te reo and tikanga Māori in a fun and relaxed way and provides a comprehensive understanding of Māori heritage and values by discussing language basics in "Kupu Kupu Kupu," and sharing insightful tribal stories in "Once Upon a Taima.”

Listen to the Taringa Podcast and increase your knowledge of te ao Māori.


 Back to news & events

Published On: 25 September 2023

Article By: Cassia Ngaruhe



Other Articles

  • 24 July 2025

    Te Wānanga o Aotearoa chief executive Evie O’Brien announced as Te Kura Toroa

    Te Wānanga o Aotearoa celebrates its 40th anniversary by bestowing chief executive Evie O’Brien with the enduring title of Te Kura Toroa. Discover the cultural significance of this new role and its reflection of leadership, kaitiakitanga, and Māori values.

  • 23 July 2025

    Māori musician's reo Māori journey leads to wānanga kaiako role

    Jordyn Rapana, known as Jordyn With A Why, shares her inspiring journey of learning te reo Māori to raise her tamariki in a reo-speaking home. From immersion study to becoming a kaiako at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa, discover how music, whānau, and culture shaped her path.

  • 16 July 2025

    Keeping clean and kicking off a business through wānanga programme

    Kristin Adams turned her recovery journey into a business success through Te Wānanga o Aotearoa’s Smart Steps to Business programme. Discover how education, support, and determination helped her launch Pinky and Co and rebuild her life with purpose.

  • 9 July 2025

    Victoria's Journey: Embracing te reo Māori in healthcare

    Nurse Victoria Richmond shares how learning te reo Māori through Te Wānanga o Aotearoa’s Papa Reo programme has deepened her cultural competency and patient care. Discover how flexible online learning is helping bridge cultural gaps in Aotearoa’s healthcare system.