MANA TAIOHI

Hononga Taiohi

The mana young people have

With young people we understand hononga, identify and strengthen connections

Our thanks to Rawiri Tapiata, Norm Mann, JJ Rika & Arohanui West!

Hononga is about joining and connection.  Linked to whakapapa, it is about connection to people, land/whenua, resources, spirituality, the digital world and the environment. When we understand hononga we recognise all the connected relationships in a young person’s world (whānau, peers, school, the community), and the places and spaces that support these. Young people are supported to identify and strengthen these connections. Strengthening hononga also means recognising the connection between the wellbeing of young people and the wellbeing of their social and natural environment.

Mā pango, mā whero, ka oti te mahi

By red and by black the work is finished

Red here refers to the red ochre worn by chiefs; by contrast, the rank and file workers appeared black. The saying means that only by the united labour of chiefs and their followers can the task be accomplished.

(Mead & Grove, 2004)