Ruku Kai Waananga

Diving Course
The Ruku Kaimoana project looks to support Waikato-Tainui Marae in maintaining our important traditions, by ensuring they have confident and competent divers who can provide kaimoana for their marae but most importantly come home safely to their whaanau.

Ruku Kaimoana project

The Ruku Kaimoana project has been initiated as an opportunity to:

  • Provide opportunities for Waikato-Tainui marae to maintain traditional practices
  • Support Waikato-Tainui marae in succession planning for traditional positions of importance
  • Enhance the relationship between Waikato-Tainui, Water Safety NZ and ACC
  • Identify safety champions at a marae level to socialise the importance of safe diving

All Waikato-Tainui marae take pride in being able to provide their signature dishes at important events such as Poukai.  Kaimoana has been a traditional part of the coastal maaori diet.  Kaimoana also provided moments of interaction between coastal and inland Maaori for trade of birds and berries.  A range of research acknowledges the importance of traditional kai in improving the nutritional health of kaumaatua.  From a Waikato worldview, access to traditional kai improves the mental and spiritual health of kaumaatua, ultimately ensuring the legacy and succession of traditional practices for generations to come.  Traditional kai has a unique ability to trigger positive memories and moments which has also been acknowledged as a deterrent for neuro-degenerative diseases (Alzheimers, Parkinsons, etc).

The project looks to support Waikato-Tainui marae in maintaining these important traditions, by ensuring they have confident and competent divers who can provide kaimoana for their marae but most importantly come home safely to their whaanau.