Our inaugural He Māhuri Tōtara programme for youth
Last week we held our first He Māhuri Tōtara gathering in Ōtautahi Christchurch. What a week it was! with rangatahi from across the motu coming to explore caring for creation, leadership, Te Ao Māori and the Bible, and how those things are connected.
He Māhuri Tōtara is a Christian environmental leadership development courses are for young people, young adults and youth leaders. The course explores the unique environmental challenges and opportunities of our world and the biblical imperative to care for creation. The week is full of workshops, hands-on activities, outdoor adventures and building relationships with likeminded people.
About the name of the programme
In te ao Māori, the Tōtara is a renowned tree. He Tōtara Haemata - a lofty tōtara - is a metaphorical way of speaking about a renowned or distinguished leader. “He māhuri tōtara” is a way of talking about young people or young leaders who have leadership potential but have yet to become mature tōtara.
“Māhuri” means young tree or sapling. When you see a young tōtara, you can see all of the potential of what it will become, but it is yet to reach its potential.
He Māhuri Tōtara is all about creating the type of environment for māhuri tōtara to grow and develop into tōtara haemata. We are passionate about creating environments and spaces where the conditions nurture young leaders, support them to develop deep roots, offer them a network of connections and a plan for future growth.
