Every Thursday, our kaumātua come together at Matai Whetu Marae for Te Uru Kahika – a day centred around whanaungatanga, manaakitanga and simply enjoying being together.

For many of our kaumātua, Thursday has become an important part of the week. It is a chance to reconnect with old friends, make new ones, share stories and laughter, and enjoy a cuppa and a kōrero in the warmth of the marae.

Each week brings something a little different. Some days are spent getting creative with arts and crafts, while on others we welcome manuhiri from different organisations who come along to kōrero with our kaumātua and share information about services, support and opportunities available to them.

And then there are the days filled with waiata, music and dancing – often accompanied by plenty of laughter.

But Te Uru Kahika is about much more than the activities.

Our kaumātua are the holders of our stories, our mātauranga and our whakapapa. They are an important connection between our past, our present and the generations that will follow. Creating opportunities for them to come together strengthens not only their own connections, but the connections across our wider whānau and community.

There is something special about seeing the marae filled with kōrero and laughter each Thursday. Sometimes the most meaningful moments are not the planned activities at all, but simply sitting around the table together, sharing a cup of tea, catching up on whānau news and enjoying each other’s company.

Te Uru Kahika provides a place where our kaumātua are welcomed, valued and celebrated. Every Thursday, our kaumātua come together at Matai Whetu Marae for Te Uru Kahika – a day centred around whanaungatanga, manaakitanga and simply enjoying being together.

For many of our kaumātua, Thursday has become an important part of the week. It is a chance to reconnect with old friends, make new ones, share stories and laughter, and enjoy a cuppa and a kōrero in the warmth of the marae.

Each week brings something a little different. Some days are spent getting creative with arts and crafts, while on others we welcome manuhiri from different organisations who come along to kōrero with our kaumātua and share information about services, support and opportunities available to them.

And then there are the days filled with waiata, music and dancing – often accompanied by plenty of laughter.

But Te Uru Kahika is about much more than the activities.

Our kaumātua are the holders of our stories, our mātauranga and our whakapapa. They are an important connection between our past, our present and the generations that will follow. Creating opportunities for them to come together strengthens not only their own connections, but the connections across our wider whānau and community.

There is something special about seeing the marae filled with kōrero and laughter each Thursday. Sometimes the most meaningful moments are not the planned activities at all, but simply sitting around the table together, sharing a cup of tea, catching up on whānau news and enjoying each other’s company.

Te Uru Kahika provides a place where our kaumātua are welcomed, valued and celebrated.