Our History

Te Whāriki Tautoko o Ōtautahi – given that the South Island might be the Waka of “Maui the fisherman” and that Te Tau Ihu might be the prow or the waka, Ōtautahi might be the ‘work side’ of the waka. Certainly, the mahi is huge and our rohe is no more exempt or sheltered from the issues than other rohe. The recent and ongoing earthquake tremors continue to dominate the cause of many of the financial, cultural and social issues here in Christchurch. We are committed to restoration and resilience plays a major role in the rebuilding of our lives here as whanau, practitioners and as a city.

Ōtautahi TWT was formed in 2012 at a hui held at Te Puawaitanga Ōtautahi Trust premises. Another hui was held in 2013 at the University in Dunedin, where it was decided the two groups Ōtautahi TWT and Otepoti TWT might work best together to support each other in the mahi. Practitioners competent in Reo Maori and tikanga strive to be recognised as bi-cultural workers in a predominantly Western privileged area.

Ōtautahi TWT has a small membership and is supported by a unique roopū of dedicated Whaea, Koro and members.

Nga Mihi te whanau.

Naumai haere mai ki Te Whāriki Tautoko o Ōtautahi .

Ehara taku toa I te toa takitahi,
Engari he toa takitini.

To complete a project,
we need to work together.