The Y Central South Island is on a powerful bicultural journey, and it’s one that we’re excited to be taking as an organisation. With Māori participants making up between 35-50% of those involved in our education, youth work, support-to-employment, and driving programmes, it’s clear that connecting with and supporting our Māori community must be at the heart of what we do. It’s a rewarding journey we encourage all organisations and businesses across the motu to embrace.

Our recent celebration of Te Wiki o te Reo Māori (Māori Language Week) was a fantastic reminder of the importance of te Reo, not just as a language, but as a connector to culture and identity. However, we’ve realised that to truly support our Māori participants in an authentic and effective way, it’s not enough just to be “fluent” in te Reo Māori. To genuinely honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the mana of our Māori participants, we must also be “fluent” in te Ao Māori – the Māori worldview, values, and traditions that shape everything from decision-making to community relationships.

This means understanding that Te Ao Māori is built on core values like manaakitanga (care and hospitality), whanaungatanga (building relationships), and rangatiratanga (self-determination). By weaving these principles into everything we do, from our leadership to our community engagement, we’re creating a space where Māori participants can not only engage but thrive.

Our strategic planning is laying the groundwork for creating an organisation that not only speaks te Reo but lives and breathes te Ao Māori. Our strategic plan outlines our vision for truly honouring Māori participants by integrating Māori perspectives into the way we design and deliver services.

We’ve taken an exciting and meaningful step forward with soon-to-be-formally-announced appointments to the roles of Tūhonohono ā Hapori (Māori Community Connector), Kaiarahi Māori-Mana Whenua, and Kaiarahi Māori-Maata Waka. These roles are pivotal in guiding us on this path and ensuring that we’re not only engaging with local iwi but also recognising the needs of Māori from outside the region who now call this area home.

Our Tūhonohono ā Hapori will serve as a vital connection between our organisation and Māori, ensuring they can be confident their voices are heard and their cultural needs are recognised. Meanwhile, the Kaiarahi Māori-Mata Whenua and Kaiarahi Māori-Maata Waka roles reflect our commitment to working with both local iwi (Mata Whenua) and Māori from other iwi residing in the region (Maata Waka), ensuring that our approach is inclusive and holistic. This organisational journey of becoming biculturally fluent takes time and commitment, but it’s essential if we want to make a real difference. By embedding a true bicultural approach, we are creating a more inclusive environment where Māori participants can feel connected to their culture and empowered in their own journeys. And in so doing, the Y Central South Island is contributing to a future Aotearoa New Zealand where biculturalism is not just a goal but a lived reality – one that honours the mana of all who walk through our doors.