It refers to the relationship between a tuakana (older person) and a teina (younger person). This style of mentoring is specific to the cultural traditions of Māori teaching and learning.
We summarise the core principles of tuakana/teina as follows:
“Mā te tuakana e arahi i te teina, mā te teina e arahi i te tuakana.”
“From the older sibling the younger one is taught the right way to do things, and from the younger sibling the older one learns new things.”