Bridging Cultures Invercargill
Uniting local communities through storytelling, history, and Te Tiriti o Waitangi
Bridging Cultures is a programme held in partnership with marae throughout the country. It is designed to counter discrimination and improve belonging and inclusion for minority groups in Aotearoa. The programme brings diverse communities together to strengthen connections with each other and mana whenua, built on a foundation of tikanga and Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
A major part of the initial workshop is whakawhānaungatanga, where our facilitators and the manaaki of the marae help to guide participants in sharing experiences and stories of themselves or people they know. From these group conversations, participants develop a better understanding of what other community groups experience as a part of the local area and within Aotearoa.
The day also includes local storytelling from mana whenua, and education on Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
To make the most of the day’s connections and learnings, participants continue the conversations and develop actions through an ongoing rōpū, with facilitation and support from Tāhono.
While we primarily promote this event to Pasifika, tangata whenua, and ethnic communities, we welcome Pākehā to attend and participate. All of our work strives to create an inclusive, accessible, and safe space for our rainbow and disabled whānau, and we warmly invite all life experiences to share in the wānanga of Bridging Cultures.
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Why on the marae?
We hold Bridging Cultures on marae in partnership with mana whenua throughout Aotearoa.
Holding the event on the marae is important for several reasons, including:
- It bases the kaupapa of the event in a te ao Māori context, held by the manaaki of local hapū.
- It provides space for Māori to share the connection that hapū has with the local whenua. This allows for participants to learn a deeper history about the region they live in from a perspective not often taught or discussed in mainstream contexts.
- It allows for a space where participants can meet, connect, and share stories with mana whenua. This results in stronger intercultural understanding and solidarity.
What if we can’t book the marae?
Holding the hui at the marae is crucial for our kaupapa. However, we understand there is a balance between coordinating logistics and the flexibility required to accommodate tangihanga and local purposes for the marae. If we must resort to a backup venue, we will endeavour to hold the first rōpū system meeting at the marae in order to initially establish and foster local connections.
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Why is it needed?
The research we conducted in our Belonging and Inclusion conversations highlighted the difficulty in forming connections across different communities, particularly with tangata whenua. Various communities across Aotearoa have communicated the need for these spaces and conversations.
Our country is deeply influenced by its colonial history, and there are not enough resources or spaces for tauiwi to connect with mana whenua and Māori perspectives. This inspired us to start this project to strengthen community solidarity and understanding across Aotearoa.
The event works to:
- Create space for diverse communities to connect with mana whenua and matauranga Māori.
- Builds belonging through participants’ relationship building with local marae.
- Promote local engagement with Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and recognise the authority of local hapū.
- Strengthen relationships and build knowledge and worldviews.
- Nurture continuous community activation through the rōpū system.
It was originally called Tu Kahitatea and came out of an ActionStation series of events with a small group.
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What is the rōpū system?
The rōpū system is designed to create lasting connections and change in the regions well after the one-day Bridging Cultures workshop is complete.
Sometime after the workshop, participants are invited to join an online session to reconnect and discuss some of the kōrero that came out of the day. From this session, participants gauge whether they would like to create a self-determining action group built from the connections made on the day.
Inclusive Aotearoa Collective Tāhono guides and supports this group through administration and facilitation services, assisting the rōpū in achieving their vision of what they want to do.
Participant feedback
“Pai rawatu. Moving, emotional, thought-provoking.”
“The event not only helped lift the mana of everyone but allowed for us to have a voice in a place we need to be seen in.”
“As a long-term migrant, I wish I had attended a hui like this one as a new arrival. It is a great initiative, and my wish is to see more of these types of initiatives as it breaks the stereotypes and brings people together.”
“I met so many lovely people of different cultures and backgrounds and have opted to continue catching up at future hui. I was reminded that everyone has a story to share and that learning and knowing whakapapa helps cultures connect.”
Since mid-2023, we have run a successful series of Bridging Cultures events from Papakura to Invercargill.
We are currently looking for local funding to support more events. If you feel the need for a workshop in your area, reach out and let us know.
