Growing up in New Zealand’s most isolated hapū

By Baz Macdonald

“It’s crazy to think my whānau have probably been on this stretch of coastline for 800 to 1000 years.”

Te Tauraka Waka a Māui, located at the bottom of the South Island’s West Coast, is likely New Zealand’s most isolated marae.

Maya Mahuika shares what it was like growing up in this beautiful, but isolated, landscape.

The Regions is a docuseries that gives a snapshot of the lives of regional rangatahi in Aotearoa and what matters to them most.

Watch the series now on TVNZ+ and YouTube.

Made with the support of NZ On Air. 

More stories from The Regions:

Life as a teen on the isolated West Coast

‘There's a lot of people that feel lonely growing up here.’

Hot or Not: Greymouth edition

We ask young people what’s hot, and what’s not, on the South Island’s West Coast.

All Episodes15

We’re fighting to stop poo flowing into Hokianga harbour

When it rains, waste overflows into Hokianga waterways.

Growing up in Waimā as a Waitangi performer

‘Sometimes being on the grounds feels mamae.’

Takeaways and lack of jobs: What’s hot and what’s not in Hokianga

Rangatahi at a gym in the Hokianga tell us what’s hot or not about their region.

Getting my autism diagnosis at 16 changed my life

“You actually have a sense of knowing who you are when you get that diagnosis.”

Life as a country boy in Waimana

“Would I ever move to the city? No. Never, never, never.”

Hot or Not: Whakatāne edition

“I can go to the beach, go out hunting, go all around…rivers and everything.”

Life as a teen on the isolated West Coast

‘There's a lot of people that feel lonely growing up here.’

Growing up in New Zealand’s most isolated hapū

This marae is three hours’ drive from the nearest town.

‘Everyone knows your secrets’: What it's like living in Greymouth

We ask young people what’s hot, and what’s not, on the South Island’s West Coast.

Asking people what's hot (and not) about Ashburton

“I feel like there’s not a lot to do if you’re not drinking.”

What’s hot and what’s not in Invercargill

We hear the mall is popular.

I’m a seventh-generation fisherman on Stewart Island

‘There’s a saying that Stewart Island is 10 years behind everyone else.’

Brotherhood of bogans: inside Southland’s boy racer scene

‘You have your opinion, but it’s my life - I’m going to do what I want.’

Life as a teen after leaving Gloriavale

“I imagined life outside Gloriavale would look sad…but that’s not true at all.”

Hunters fear losing their guns for seeking mental health help. They don’t have to

“Hunting is the one thing that got me out of dark space.”

The Regions

The Regions is a docuseries that gives a snapshot of the lives of regional rangatahi in Aotearoa and what matters to them most.

Made with the support of NZ On Air.

Read5

How Filipinos became a beloved part of Southland

In 2001, only 0.9% of Southland’s population were Asian. 20 years later, that's grown to 7%.

Learning from the moana: Fridays on the water with Hokianga students

Every Friday, these rangatahi are at the beach learning how to fish, dive and surf.

One in 5 young people in NZ is neurodivergent - this is what it’s like

“Embrace the beauty of it.”

Where do small town teens spend their free time? Macca’s, apparently

It's a place that teenagers have organically chosen to make their own, expert says.

View all series