Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Raukawa, Kai Tahu

 This kaupapa emerged in response to a need identified for building the capacity of Kaikaranga on marae throughout Aotearoa.  Kurawaka has enjoyed being witness to the emergence of Kaikaranga and the self-empowerment of  wāhine Māori through the delivery of our programs.  Twenty-five years has flown by so fast, we have taught thousands of wahine methods to access their inner oro (spirit voice).  The focus now is to continue this work and maintain the presence of paekaranga across all marae. Karawhiua to poi wāhine mā, māreikura mā hoki. 

Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Porou, Kāti Mamoe, Ngāti Raukawa ki te Tonga

Mai te one tapu I Kurawaka

With deep gratitude, I acknowledge the guidance of our tīpuna and the nurturing support of our parents, Raina and Tākuta Ferris. Grounded in mātauranga Māori as a whānau, we are honoured to be the vessels to disseminate this knowledge and our lived experiences with all who come to Kurawaka. For 25 years, I have served as a Kaiāwhina beside our Māmā—first as a learner, then as a Kaiako of the artform of Karanga, within which lies the profound strength of our wāhinetanga. 

It is a privilege to carry forward this legacy as Kaihautū uplifting and empowering our wāhine Māori especially, with every breath we take.

Tukuna kia RERE: Reawaken, Educate, Realign, Empower

Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Pōrou, Kai Tahu & Kāti Māmoe 

Kia Ora! A descendant of Pōrangahau & Porourangi and a iramutu of Aunty Raina and Uncle Doc, I am privileged to be part of the Kurawaka whānau. I'm always excited to hold space, support, serve and uplift wāhine from all walks of life. I genuinely believe in bringing good vibrations to everything I do and for me, leading with aroha is truly at the heart of my service within this kaupapa. Karanga to me is not about calling in front of people but more calling for the people! "Ko au ko koe, Ko koe Koauau! 

Waikato, Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Porou

I had the privilege of meeting Whaea Raina 13 years ago sitting with her to talk about kāranga in a documentary series. Since then the honour has been mine to be connected, transform, learn and spend time at Kurawaka. Kāranga for me is rongoā and is a re membering of who we are as wāhine Māori through the first house te whare tangata. 

Ngati Kahungunu ki Tamatea, Mokai Patea, Tūwharetoa, Ngati Awa

Tēnā koutou katoa,
I continue to wholeheartedly tautoko Kurawaka in any way I can. As a Kaiako a Kaupapa, I am honoured to be called upon as a Kaikōrero for symposium events.  Kurawaka reminded me, many years ago, that I have a voice in Te Ao Māori. Returning home to my ancestral lands of Ngāti Kere, surrounded by our Hakui and whanaunga, has strengthened my sense of place and purpose in the world. Wherever I travel and share our Mātauranga, Karanga, and Tāonga Tuku Iho, I carry the essence of home within me.  Kurawaka will guide you home — to reclaim, to stand strong.
Kia kaha wāhine mā!

Ngā Puhi, Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Kimihia, Ngāti Mutunga 
Kua hia ngā tau ahau e tautoko ana i ngā tini kaupapa kua kōkirihia e Kurawaka i roto i ngā tau, ā, e kōkirihia tonutia ana e tēnei wānanga.  

He maringa nui nōku kia whai wāhi ki ēnei mahi hiringa nui te whakatairanga i tēnei tikanga tuku iho, tēnei reo nōtāukiukiki, waihoki, te whakapakari i te māiatanga i waenganui i ō tātou wāhine kia tukuna tō rātou reo karanga ki te ao marama!