Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti
4 mins ago
Tipene (Pāpā T) Rangihuna strikes a pose with his Taiaha in celebration of his award for work with inmates in Hawke’s Bay Regional Prison.
Tipene (Pāpā T) Rangihuna was all set for retirement when EIT asked him to front a te reo Māori programme in Hawke’s Bay Regional Prison – a move that has seen him recognised on a national level.
Pāpā T had almost four decades of teaching in Kōhanga Reo and Kura Kaupapa under his belt but was keen to accept a new challenge when his daughter, Te Ara Ripeka, recommended him to Pareputiputi (Puti) Nuku, Pouarataki – Te Ūranga Waka and Te Whatukura at EIT, to lead a programme in the local prison.
It was a new focus for Pāpā T, but one that he has embraced wholeheartedly and, now more than six years later at 70-years-old, does not see ever ending.
“I always like to say that I came to EIT for a job, and they sent me to jail for life,” says Pāpā T.
Originally from the East Coast and of Ngāti Porou, he spent many years in Wellington before settling in Hawke’s Bay with his partner, lawyer Liz Munroe (Ngāti Kahungunu). He has three grown-up daughters.
Make no mistake, his prison instructor role is not for the faint-hearted. Some of the men that Pāpā T is dealing with are hardened criminals, even lifers, but as he says some of his best students are the toughest of the lot.
Pāpā T has won a national award – Arts Access Corrections: Māui Tikitiki a Taranga for 2021. The award that recognises an individual who works or volunteers for Corrections, demonstrates the qualities of Māui (innovation, creativity and leadership) and provides arts programmes in a New Zealand prison that reflect cultural inclusion and diversity. These programmes support and encourage pathways into rehabilitation and reintegration.
Of this nomination, the judging panel said: “Pāpā T epitomises the qualities of Māui: innovation, creativity and leadership. His influence extends far and wide across Hawke’s Bay Regional Prison, using te reo Māori as the initial tool for engagement with the men. His commitment, community links, skills and knowledge are exceptional. He is the embodiment of rangatiratanga and excellence, the bearer of light and hope in creating transformational change and strengthening Te Ao Māori worldview. Thank you, Pāpā T!”
For Pāpā T, it is where he wants to be, and he loves to see how his students progress and thrive when given the opportunity.
To help them on their journey, Pāpā T has a weapon of choice, so to speak – the taiaha (Māori traditional weapon). He teachers them to use this wooden staff and in doing so how to respect women, respect authority and respect their culture.
He says that many of the men have lost touch with their culture, so he reteaches them the haka, how to sing, how to talk on a marae and most important of all discipline.
“That’s why I love this role. The general public may view these men as crooks and nobodies, but you’ll never find as much aroha and respect as you do behind those prison walls.”
He also insists that he is a small cog in this wheel of success, pointing to the young female guards he works with, prison management and also Puti and her staff.
Pāpā T says he feels sad when his students finish the course, but he is proud of what they achieve on the outside.
“Some of them are at EIT now, studying subjects ranging from horticulture to te reo.”
Puti Nuku says: “It was an honour to announce to his EIT colleagues that Pāpā T had won this national award. For those of us who know him, have seen him with his students and witnessed the absolute respect they have for Pāpā T, the award is very much deserved.”
Leonie Aben, the Prison Director (acting), Wāhi mahi: Hawkes Bay Regional Prison, Ara Poutama Aotearoa, Department of Corrections, says: “It is an absolute privilege to have Pāpā T working on our site. He goes above and beyond what is expected of him in his role as a Kaiako. “
“Pāpā T epitomises Te Ao Māori and has influenced and supported tāne, whānau and staff on their own cultural journey. Papa T was our obvious choice for the Māui Tikitiki a Taranga Arts Access nomination this year.”
