Whanganui Māori-Led Firearms Initiative Expands to Address National Instructor Shortage

Leaders along the Whanganui Awa are reporting significant interest in a Māori-led firearms safety and licensing initiative designed to foster community connection and safe hunting practices. Te Awanui a Rua Trust, established in 2016, provides monthly Whakatūpato firearms safety courses from Taumarunui to Whanganui. As reported by the NZ Herald and Whanganui Chronicle, the program serves as a one-stop shop for training, testing, and police vetting, particularly for rangatahi and those who may have inherited firearms or are currently navigating new legal regulations. Trust director Anahera Ngataierua TeKere Hose, who received the Whaiao Māori Outcomes Award at the 2026 Recreation Aotearoa awards, was motivated to lead this work after being accidentally shot by another hunter. A key focus of the trust is addressing the nationwide shortage of Māori instructors. Hose emphasized the importance of having Māori instructors who can pass on māramataka and tikanga—such as the protocol regarding not stepping over a pū that provides kai. To meet this demand, the trust began training 22 Māori hunting instructors for certification with Te Tari Pūreke Firearms Safety Authority in February, alongside 10 others for a new community trainer programme. The initiative aims to place at least 10 Māori instructors in roles nationwide specifically to train Māori communities. According to Te Tari Pūreke data, the wider Central region has the highest number of firearm licence holders in the North Island. The programme forms part of a broader vision supported by partnerships with numerous iwi in the Manawatū-Whanganui region and draws inspiration from Ngāi Tūhoe. Chris Kumeroa (Taranaki, Tūwharetoa, Whanganui, Ngāti Hine), co-founder of the Whanganui River Hunting and Food Festival, noted that the Whakatūpato course has already helped nearly 300 people obtain their licences with a success rate exceeding 85 per cent. Beyond firearms, Te Awanui a Rua Trust continues to support rangatahi into various trades through its Kaitiaki Project, including environmental restoration, butchery, and rongoā. These efforts help Māori find employment on their ancestral lands through sustainable practices. By integrating safety regulations with traditional knowledge, the trust is empowering rural whānau to navigate legal requirements while preserving the cultural protocols that govern hunting and food gathering.