Rangatahi Ngāi Tahu this is your calling to the most epic of adventures! Mean hikes, crack-up facilitation crew, mates for life – and best of all, Ngāi Tahutanga! Nau mai haere mai, enrol and join this mission of a lifetime.

This October we invite 12 Ngāi Tahu rangatahi between the ages of 15-18yrs to join us on a hīkoi through the exquisite Whakatipu Waitai/Hollyford Valley, and into Martins Bay.  This seven day adventure is an opportunity for Ngāi Tahu rangatahi to explore their:

1. Connection to Ngāi Tahutanga
2. Connection to the natural environment
3. Connection to self (self-identity/leadership/values).

Our programme, called Te Ara Whakatipu, was developed by Kara Edwards (Te Rūnanga o Makaawhio member) and it is funded by Te Rūnanga o Ngai Tahu in conjunction with the Ngāi Tahu business, The Hollyford Track. It features a 21km walk (each way), kōrero from Ngāi Tahu leaders, outdoor bush skills, Te Reo Māori, waiata/haka, whanaungatanga and learning in a remote area of significant cultural value and absolute beauty.

Delivered by a combination of Ngāi Tahu leaders, professional guides, experienced Hollyford Track staff and Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu office staff, this is the programme which weaves rangatahi outdoor leadership with Ngāi Tahutanga. Te Ara Whakatipu is very grateful to The Hollyford Track who generously offer their luxury lodge, jet-boat, staff and expertise to this kaupapa.

In brief, this seven day hīkoi includes one day travelling south (to the start of hīkoi, in Manapōuri) and one day travelling home. The other five days are spent immersed in the beauty of Whakatipu Waitai/The Hollyford Valley – a very important traditional pounamu trail linking Te Tai Poutini with Ōtākou and Murihiku.

The on-course costs for this hīkoi are entirely covered by Te Rūnanga o Ngai Tahu, meaning the only associated cost for whānau is transport to the hīkoi start point.