In te ao Maori, our connection to our maunga and physical landmarks speaks to who we are as a people. Our maunga are also a source of inspiration and direction. This article draws on the symbolism of maunga and describes a Maori process of the way maunga can also act as a metaphorical journey to strengthening identity and transformative change. It analyses data from a TLRI research study Renewing Participatory Democracy: Walking with Young Children to Story and Read the Land to exemplify this process from the experiences of whanau and tamariki attending Te Kohanga Reo ki Rotokawa, where haerenga (trips) to their tribal landmarks are undertaken. The impact of haerenga on whanau identity is explored, and its importance and value discussed.