The story behind our name

Our mana, as Kaikaranga, is derived from our connection to the mana whenua of Tāmaki Makaurau and decades-long history of advocating for tāngata whaikaha and their families. We stand proudly in our mana, calling to everyone to find comfort in our offering to the disability community.  

When they respond, we are focused on listening and learning to what they need to live their best lives. Acknowledging that everyone has kai to share and knowledge to add to our kete. Like the spiritual rope woven by kaikaranga during an exchange, we will continue to connect disabled people and whānau to any support they need, when they need it. 

The responsibility of the kaikaranga is to gently guide people across the ātea safely through the realm of the god of war and into the warm embrace of the wharenui and the god of peace.  

We, as Kaikaranga, express our responsibility through our values. We affirm that people are the most important thing, so always put them first. We commit to being someone our community can count on, standing strong like a rock lashed by the waves. We hold on to what is right, not what is easy in the face of adversity, and we aspire to ignite ideas for a better tomorrow, nurturing the seeds of innovation. 

The kaikaranga holds the protocol of the marae helping the waewae tapu to understand tikanga and keep everyone safe during sacred ceremonies. She connects the two worlds, physical and spiritual. So, we call to the wairua of each individual first. Their response resonating back stronger to enrich our kaupapa. Our mauri emits from our waharoa, inviting everyone to gather in preparation to receive our call. 

Like the kaikaranga waiting patiently for the visitors to emerge from the waharoa indicating they are ready, we too wait with anticipation for tāngata whaikaha and whānau to return our call and experience our manaakitanga. We say, with confidence and humility, you will find what you need through our waharoa.