Family Works’ first Tikanga/Te Reo Māori 101 workshop recently wrapped up, with the 10 participants from Wellington accounting firm Grant Thornton New Zealand Ltd Thornton visiting Orongomai Marae in Upper Hutt.
Orongomai Marae Kaumātua Heemi Kara (Ngāi Tūhoe) and Binney Andrews (Whakatohe) hosted the group, with Heemi providing the whakapapa of the whare and marae.
Designed and presented by Family Works cultural director Jim Berry and business development manager Cheri Ratapu-Foster, the eight-week workshop incorporates tikanga and te reo to provide participants with a strong foundation in the basics.
Grant Thornton New Zealand partner Jim Obren says their company needed to embrace te reo Māori and tikanga Māori, not only to connect better with customers, but also as citizens of Aotearoa.
“We are fortunate to have a relationship with Presbyterian Support Central, a valuable provider of services in our community. For us the programme marks the start of a longer journey for us and it was delivered in an open, safe and enjoyable way, a credit to Jim and Cheri our teachers,” says Jim.
