Kaihaka Collective is dedicated to preserving and revitalising customary Māori practices within a contemporary world, through kapa haka, we create a vibrant space where Māori and the wider community can learn, engage with, and celebrate these timeless customary practices. 

• Our mission is to ensure that these cultural practices thrive by providing pathways for education, connection, and excellence. By hosting and participating in high-caliber events both locally and internationally, we empower individuals to put these traditions into practice, fostering pride, resilience, and cultural continuity for future generations.  

• Through collaboration, innovation, and cultural integrity, Kaihaka Collective stands as a beacon of Māori heritage, bringing its beauty and strength locally and to the global stage.

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OBJECTIVES OF KAIHAKA COLLECTIVE

• 1. Preserve Customary Māori Practices
  Safeguard and maintain customary Māori practices, ensuring their relevance and sustainability in modern contexts.

• 2. Create a hub to teach through kapa haka
  Create a dedicated space where the wider community can learn customary Māori practices through kapa haka.

• 3. Promote Cultural Learning
  Provide educational opportunities that empower individuals to engage with and understand Māori heritage and values.

• 4. Foster Community Connection
  Encourage unity and collaboration by inviting both Māori and non-Māori communities to participate in shared cultural experiences.

• 5. Provide Practical Pathways
  Develop opportunities for learners to actively practice and implement their knowledge of customary Māori practices.

• 6. Host High-Caliber Events
  Organise and participate in regular, high-level cultural events locally and internationally to showcase and celebrate Māori traditions.

• 7. Empower Cultural Excellence
  Inspire participants to achieve excellence in their cultural endeavors, elevating the visibility and prestige of customary Māori practices.

• 8. Ensure Cultural Continuity
  Build a legacy of knowledge and pride that strengthens the cultural identity of future generations through innovation and integrity.

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• WHAKATAUKI

• KAUA E MATE WHEKE, MATE URUROA

• The Māori whakataukī "Kaua e mate wheke, mate ururoa" ("Do not die like the octopus; die like the hammerhead shark") aligns strongly with the mission statement of Kaihaka Collective Trust.

• This whakataukī encourages resilience, determination, and an unyielding spirit, symbolised by the ururoa (hammerhead shark) that fights to the very end, unlike the wheke (octopus), which gives up easily.

• In the context of the mission statement:

• 1. Preserving Customary Māori Practices: It reflects the commitment to ensure the survival and vitality of customary Māori practices, demonstrating a refusal to let these practices fade or be lost.

• 2. Empowering Through Kapa Haka: The whakataukī embodies the courage and strength needed to teach, perform, and represent Māori culture at a high level on both local and international stages.

• 3. Cultural Resilience: It inspires the persistence required to adapt customary Māori practices to the modern world while maintaining their integrity.

• 4. Creating Pathways for Excellence: The determination to provide opportunities for communities to thrive in their cultural identity resonates with the whakataukī’s message of fighting for what matters.

• This whakataukī serves as a call to action, urging Kaihaka Collective to remain steadfast in its mission to uphold and celebrate Māori traditions with strength and passion.

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• KA MUA, KA MURI

• Another guidung whakataukī "Walking backwards into the future".

• It is a reminder that we see the past but can not see the future. In that sense our eyes are facing the past so our backs are facing the future. So our past guides us into our future.

• This whakataukī reflects the idea of looking to the wisdom of the past (customary Māori practices) to guide us into the future. It emphasizes the importance of preserving and teaching customary knowledge and practices while adapting it to modern contexts.