Charles Walters

Although he’s only 23 it’s the second time that Charles Walters has held the job title of kaiwhakahaere. In English it translates as manager or leader but Charles describes it modestly as “just being out and about in the community.”

Charles has taken on the role of kaiwhakahaere at Tui Ora to run the Tiki Toa project.

Tiki Toa is a joint project between Tui Ora, the Department of Conservation (DOC) and two local schools, that aims to connect and educate taiohi (young people) about our mounga. It is supported by the Taranaki Mounga project.

“The project is about getting kids back in the natural environment.

"We are connecting communities to our mounga in the hope we can protect it and bring it back to life,” explains Charles.

Charles has been in the role a month and is preparing to take his first group of taiohi on a hikoi:

“We are going to visit the Hangatahua River and will be hosted at Puniho Marae. We will meet up with a DOC ranger and learn about all sorts of different stuff – like how to survive on the mountain, different species of birds, what’s a pest, and what’s not a pest.”

For his first tiki tour Charles will be accompanied by 15 handpicked students from Devon Intermediate and Te Pi’ipi’Inga schools in New Plymouth.

“We work with the principals and the teachers at the school to choose the kids who are most likely to benefit from the experience.”

Charles will host a hikoi each month with a different theme so taiohi get to learn about different things. Each term the group will change so that other students have the opportunity to join the project.

Charles is really excited about his mahi:

“It’s awesome working with DOC and being able to tap into their resources and knowledge. They recently released kiwi and northern robins back to Mount Taranaki. It’s just awesome to be involved with this kaupapa.”

For the Otago University graduate of Physical Education and Māori studies - who grew up in Waitara - his new role is a natural fit. His first job was as a kaiwhakahaere at Sport Taranaki where he got kids involved in traditional Māori games and tikanga.

“Getting back to nature, learning about the environment, restoring native species and teaching kids how to look after our land for the future.

“It’s all good stuff. Good for your mental wellbeing, good for the mounga,” Charles says, summing it up perfectly.

Footnote:

The Taranaki Mounga project is a collaboration between the Department of Conservation (DOC), eight Taranaki Iwi and the NEXT Foundation, a philanthropic organisation, supported by founding sponsors Shell New Zealand, Jasmine Social Investments, TSB Community Trust and Landcare Investments.