Te Pae Hononga — A journey of connection
Te Pae Hononga
— A journey of connection
“Our mokopuna and taiohi are our present and our future. This digital world is their world... for us kaumaatua we have to travel with them and try to instil our tikanga as we go.”
Te Pae Hononga is a digital inclusion kaupapa centred around developing connection. It arose from a pressing need to address digital inequities for Waikato Tainui whānau based in South Auckland. COVID-19 lockdowns in 2020 and 2021 demonstrated the profound and very real impact of digital exclusion. This kaupapa is not only about enabling digital equity (through the provision of devices, reliable internet connection, online skills and safety training) but also about the development of cultural connection for participating whaanau.
Toi Āria: Design for Public Good worked alongside programme partners Te Kei o Te Waka Tainui and Te Rourou, One Aotearoa Foundation to co-design and co-deliver the programme in 2022–23. From its inception, whānau voice was central to the design process. The term ‘rangahau’ was adopted early on, in order to recognise the adoption of a collaborative research approach — with whānau and the Toi Āria research kaimahi walking together over a period of 13 months. This collaborative, longitudinal process sought to to build trusting relationships between kaimahi and participating whānau, involving them directly in the collection of stories of impact from the project. It also sought to consider transferable insights for whānau, hapū, iwi and other indigenous communities considering approaches to addressing digital exclusion.
“Te Pae Hononga is centred in connections. Connecting to your iwi, connecting to your whaanau, connecting to your whenua, connecting to that which makes one feel connected to purpose. Driven by whaanau voice, Te Pae Hononga began as a vision to address a whaanau need and address digital inequities. Over this pilot year, it has taken on a life of its own—and taught each one of us that connections exist wherever we choose to be present. We are grateful for all those who choose to be a part of this journey with us.”
The initial findings are represented in the form of a whaariki — with each strand aligned to a value of the Kiingitanga.
Manaakitanga (Caring)
Gifted devices and an internet connection can have direct and transformational impact for whaanau
Mahi tahi (Collaboration)
A whaanau-centred process cultivates safety, connection and holds potential for long term impact
Rangimaarie (Peace and Calm)
Connection with place enables and empowers
Kotahitanga (Unity)
A relational process can build back lost trust
“Through this we’ve got devices, we’ve got knowledge, we’ve got power — we can fit in with everyone else.”
Read the full report written in collaboration with participating whānau. A second cohort of whānau embarked on the programme in 2024.
