This documentary, Te Hiringa o te Tangata, chronicles the Te Rau Titapu wānanga at Matatina marae in Waipoua, where community and whānau came together to transform a windfall kauri into a waka tiwai. True to the spirit that "it takes a village to build a waka," the project explores how wānanga strengthen identity, share intergenerational knowledge, and foster creativity within iwi.

Led by Eamon Nathan and guided by the wisdom of Alex and Manos Nathan, Bernard Makoare and others the work was a collective effort. The painting was led by Andrea Hopkins, while I served as the designer and lead carver. Darrin Paraone Pivac who travelled from Muriwhenua to lead the rangatahi in the creation of hoe. Captured on film by Dan Nathan of Netana Productions, this journey was made possible through the vital support of Charles Royal and Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga, Nicole Charles, Zoltán Grossman, Hayden Zabel, Jorden Paniora, Ngariki Ngatae, and Pedro Pandora and Liquid Studios, Matatina marae, the Te Roroa Whatu Ora Trust, Waipoua haukāinga, and countless friends and whānau.

Our deepest thanks to all who contributed their hands and hearts,