Over an hour and a half from the nearest marae or adult education centre, Te Anau has faced limited opportunities for immersion in Māoritanga and te reo Māori. Yet, the Te Anau Waitangi Charitable Trust has risen to the challenge, supporting Fiordland whānau in connecting in many engaging ways that has increased the visibility and value of Maori culture. In a supportive environment, hands-on sharing of skills, knowledge, and cultural conversations, foster the preservation and celebration of te ao Maori. Waitangi Day and Matariki events, encourage locals to learn about Aotearoa’s history, while preserving and celebrating tikanga Māori and te Tiriti o Waitangi. Other events showcase local artists’ achievements and help promote culture and heritage. The trust’s mission to create a more culturally-aware and responsive community is paying dividends. Cultural performance experiences in schools, along with wānanga in weaving and kapa haka, demonstrate how much the community is now embracing Maori arts, all thanks to the dynamic mahi of the Te Anau Waitangi Charitable Trust