Tanenuiarangi Larkins-Tareha

Kia ora, ko Tanenuiarangi rāua ko Rowge tēnei. We’re proud to share Te Tapa Toa — a kaupapa Māori leadership programme that fuses the physical discipline of Muay Thai with the holistic wellbeing model Te Whare Tapa Whā.

Tanenuiarangi’s moemoeā…

Our moemoeā is to support Māori rangatahi to strengthen their tinana, hinengaro, wairua, and whānau — while reconnecting with identity, whakapapa, and their potential as future leaders.

This kaupapa was born from our personal journeys. Muay Thai transformed our lives — helping us overcome challenges, build confidence, and develop tools like resilience, discipline, and focus. It became more than a sport; it became a way to live with purpose and uplift others.

Te Tapa Toa is a 6-month programme in Palmerston North, with two weekly sessions. Each 90-minute session combines Muay Thai training with kōrero, reflection, journaling, and cultural connection. The programme is structured around Te Whare Tapa Whā, with monthly focuses on taha whānau, tinana, hinengaro, and wairua — culminating in leadership development and integration.

We create a safe, inclusive space where rangatahi are supported holistically. Led by rangatahi, for rangatahi, this kaupapa promotes growth in and out of the gym. It builds strength, leadership, and pride — while reinforcing Māori values like manaakitanga, whanaungatanga, and tikanga.

We’re requesting funding to support key costs: equipment, venue, transport, safety, and participant recognition. With this support, we can remove barriers, build momentum, and grow a sustainable kaupapa with long-term impact.

Ngā mihi nui.

What were the major outcomes of this kaupapa? 

Since receiving funding from Tapuwae Roa, Te Tapa Toa successfully delivered a 6-month Muay Thai-based rangatahi development kaupapa.

The funding allowed us to purchase essential equipment including:

• Boxing gloves
• Thai pads
• HIN pads
• Shin pads
• Boxing bag
• Gym mats
• Mouth guards
• First aid equipment

This allowed us to create a safe and appropriate training environment.

Funding also supported petrol costs, allowing facilitators to consistently travel and deliver sessions. An additional facilitator contributed through koha, bringing valuable experience from Thailand, WBC judging, and over 6 years of Muay Thai experience.

The kaupapa supported rangatahi to develop:

• Confidence
• Fitness
• Resilience
• Discipline
• Connection

What were some of the challenges your kaupapa faced during its implementation?

One of the first challenges we faced was losing our original training venue. Originally, we intended to run the kaupapa from our gym after discussions with our trainer about using the space. Unfortunately, due to changes happening within the gym, the space was no longer available. Our trainer continued supporting the kaupapa by providing additional pads through koha.

We then reached out to the wider community and were grateful to receive support from Rangitāne, who provided a space where we could continue delivering the kaupapa. This required us to adapt by purchasing matting and a boxing bag to ensure the environment was safe and suitable.

Another challenge was attendance changes throughout the programme due to participants’ outside commitments, including work, whānau responsibilities, and personal circumstances. Despite these challenges, the participants who continued remained engaged and committed.

How did this kaupapa benefit from the Pou Herenga Tangata Award? 

The funding from Tapuwae Roa was essential in allowing Te Tapa Toa to move from an idea into a successfully delivered kaupapa.

The funding supported:

• Purchasing essential training equipment
• Creating a safe training environment
• Supporting travel and access to sessions
• Providing facilitator support
• Supporting relationships through koha
• Building kaupapa identity through T-shirts and logo design
• Celebrating participant achievements

The funding also helped us adapt when our original training venue became unavailable.

Through support from Rangitāne, we were provided a space to continue the kaupapa. Funding allowed us to purchase the equipment needed to make this space safe and suitable.

What are your future plans for this kaupapa?

We have been approached by Rangitāne o Manawatū Settlement Trust about continuing this kaupapa and are currently brainstorming future opportunities. One idea we are exploring is an overnight wānanga where rangatahi can deepen their learning, strengthen relationships, and continue developing through kaupapa Māori values. Our long-term dream is to create our own gym and whānau environment where people can train, support each other, and grow together. We also hope to travel to Thailand to learn directly from the source of Muay Thai and bring that knowledge back to support our community. Our vision is for Te Tapa Toa to continue being a kaupapa that strengthens rangatahi, whānau, and community.