Aoraki Bound
"Ekea kā tiritiri o te moana...
Ascend to the heights of your aspirations"
What is Aoraki Bound?
Aoraki Bound is a cultural and personal development programme combining Ngāi Tahu cultural knowledge and expertise with the experience and reputation of Outward Bound in a 20-day journey-based course that builds leadership, cultural awareness and personal development. Aoraki Bound students spend 8 days at the Outward Bound facility at Anakiwa, Queen Charlotte Sound and 12 days on a hīkoi (journey) from Anakiwa to the base of Aoraki.
What can you expect from Aoraki Bound?
- Increased understanding of Ngāi Tahu culture, beliefs, language and history
- An enhanced sense of connection and identity
- A once in a lifetime experience
- To be pushed beyond your comfort zone
- To be challenged physically and mentally
- Personal growth (mentally, emotionally, physically)
- Leadership development
- An ability to work in a team
- Communication skills
- Increased self-confidence
- Motivation, determination and drive
- Improved fitness and wellbeing
Purpose
Cultural revitalisation is crucial to the future sustainability and development of Ngāi Tahu as individuals and as a collective.
Ngāi Tahu recognise the need to develop our people, our culture and our place in Aotearoa. But we also have a genuine desire to share our knowledge and values with all New Zealanders as we build a nation and a sense of what it is to be a citizen of this land. Hence, we recognise the importance of building beneficial and lasting relationships with individuals and organisations that share our core values and philosophy.
Mark Solomon, Kaiwhakahaere [Chairman] of Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu:
"The value of Aoraki Bound will be realised by the differences it makes to the next generation in terms of the revival and perpetuation of Ngāi Tahu culture, knowledge and identity, and the development of our people as future leaders."
"A strength of the course is that it is not just for Ngāi Tahu, but for all New Zealanders. If we want to be seen as an active member of the community, then we need to involve the community. Enhancing cultural tolerance and understanding doesn't come from being exclusive, we have to be inclusive and the learning and sharing of knowledge works both ways. You can't be proud of something unless you know what it is all about." He says.
Our Vision
"To develop a programme for the personal development of people within a Ngāi Tahu cultural context".
Our Objectives
Tō Tātou Reo: To use and grow an appreciation of Ngāi Tahu reo as a window into our unique culture and commit to its ongoing use and preservation.
Tō Tātou Ngāi Tahutanga: To grow an appreciation of Ngāi Tahu culture and commit to its preservation and the future development of its people.
Tō Tātou Whanaungatanga: To grow the bonds that bind us as invididuals into an iwi and to develop the concept of working together for the benefit of the iwi.
Tō Tātou Mana: To consider ones own values and apply them in life to stand tall and with mana.
Tō Tātou Taiao: To experience the majesty of our lands and waters. To gain an understanding of kaitiakitanga and commit to the protection and enhancement of our environment and its taonga.
Our Values
Aroha: Show aroha and manaakitanga for those around you.
Rangatiratanga: Realise your full potential and be of benefit to those around you.
Ngākaunui: Embrace every opportunity and be true to the values of Ngāi Tahu
Kaikōkiritanga: Push beyond the familiar and develop through experience, adventure and challenge.
Feedback From Students
"Aoraki Bound was the richest experience of my life. I have never felt more alive than on those three weeks. I felt truly humbled to have walked in the footsteps of my ancestors… To read a book, to know history is one thing, but to have actually lived it, to have walked those trails is an entirely different experience with far deeper meaning."
"The sense of security I now have in my identity as a Ngāi Tahu woman and as a New Zealander is probably the most profound and deeply personal benefit I gained from the course."
"Aoraki Bound has given me this sense of true identity and belonging to my people and the land on which we live. I now say with pride "I am Kāi Tahu."
"I have a newfound inner strength. Before I 'waited' to 'be allowed', now I have my place, know my Ngāï Tahu identity and am stepping up more."
"I will now embrace Maori culture instead of being scared of it."
"As non-Ngāi Tahu I feel absolutely privileged to be included, it has given me a whole different perspective. I will view New Zealand's political decisions differently now."
"My employer has noticed that I am more driven, inspired and more precise in my decision making."
"If everyone did this course, the world would be a better place."
Read more students' testimonials or check out our Aoraki Bound DVD.
Aoraki Bound Video
View the Aoraki Bound Video »
Contact Aoraki Bound
Kari Moana Kururangi
Ngai Tahu Leadership Programme Advisor
Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu
PO Box 13046
Christchurch
Ph 03 371 9360
aoraki.bound@ngaitahu.iwi.nz
Aoraki Bound Forms
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