Oranga Tamariki continues to improve Māori cultural capability with support from 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.