Matakahi cadetship

My name is Grace and I am a Matakahi Cadet who was fortunate enough to work at Ngāi Tahu over the summer. When I was told I would be joining Ngāi Tahu as a legal intern I was nervous, as I had never worked in a professional environment in a law-related role before. However, my experience could not have gone any better. Every person within the organisation is valued for what they contribute and treated as whānau. I was pleasantly surprised by how many people took the time to ask me who I was and what I was doing.

The legal team, led by the incredible Chris Ford, was a pleasure to work with. It was great to see real life lawyers in action and I learnt so much from them. They took the time to explain every task I was given clearly and answered questions if I was ever confused. This made the challenging tasks exciting rather than daunting. My main on-going project was to come up with a standardised constitution that could be used for the 18 Papatipu Rūnanga. The task was to draft the content according the new Incorporated Societies Act in a way that was concise and easy to understand for all whānau members. With the help of the team, I was able to draw up some diagrams and other visuals that will hopefully be used in the years to come.

Highlights of the summer would include: Monday morning waiata and karakia in the wharekai, weekly te reo lessons, free boot camp lessons for a bit of exercise during lunch, meeting many new faces and making some great friends, but most importantly, learning so much about my culture and gaining the confidence to keep going on this cultural journey. Thank you to everyone who was part of making this summer the best one yet, Grace.

Grace Dimond.

Grace Dimond.

Pānui contributions

If members have an item of interest they wish to share with te whānau o Ngāi Tahu or would like to profile Ngāi Tahu whānau who are achieving in what they are doing in today’s world, please contact Tina on 03 212 6029 or email [email protected].

Membership Database

We are constantly updating our membership database and have found that many members’ children have had children of their own that require registering. If you are one of these people we encourage you to contact us on 03 212 6029 or email [email protected] to request registration form/s.

NB: If your enquiries relate to registering with Ngāi Tahu please contact the Whakapapa Unit on 0800 524 8248.

We also encourage those members who have changed residential or email addresses to update their details by contacting the rūnanga on the above number or email address.

Kā mihi aroha

To all our whānau, suffering the loss of loved ones at this time Awarua Rūnaka extends all our love and sympathy.

Rā whānau

Happy birthday to all those celebrating their birthdays this month.

Contributions

If members have an item of interest they wish to share with te Whānau o Ngāi Tahu please contact Tina:
03 212 6029 or email: [email protected]

Membership database

We are constantly updating our membership database and have found that many members’ children have had children of their own who require registering. If you are one of these people we encourage you to contact us on 03 212 6029 or email: [email protected] to request registration forms.

NB: If your enquiries relate to registering with Ngāi Tahu please contact the Whakapapa Unit on
0800 524 8248.

We also encourage members who have changed residential or email addresses to update their details by contacting the rūnanga on the above number or email address.

Ngā mate

To all our whānau suffering the loss of loved ones at this time, Awarua Rūnaka extends all our love and sympathy.

Rā whānau

Happy birthday to all those celebrating their birthdays this month.

Waka ama update

It was good to see a number of young people turn up at the recent waka ama hui. A komiti has been formed and tasks given out. Once the weather has settled the rōpū hopes to have a couple of open days for would-be participants.

In the meantime if you require more information about wanting to be a part of the waka ama rōpū as a helper or a rower contact Tina: 03 212 6029 or Gail: 03 212 6020.

Pānui contributions

If members have an item of interest they wish to share with Te Whānau o Ngāi Tahu please contact Tina: 03 212 6029 or email: [email protected]

Membership database

We are constantly updating our membership database and have found that many members’ children have had children of their own who require registering. If you are one of these people we encourage you to contact us on 03 212 6029 or email: [email protected] to request registration form/s.

NB: If your enquiries relate to registering with Ngāi Tahu please contact the Whakapapa Unit on 0800 524 8248.

We also encourage members who have changed residential or email addresses to update their details by contacting the rūnanga on the above number or email address.

Ka mihi aroha

To all our whānau suffering the loss of loved ones at this time Awarua Rūnaka extends all our love and sympathy.

Rā whānau

Happy birthday to all those celebrating their birthdays this month.

Calling waka ama enthusiasts

Te Rūnaka o Awarua has an under-used waka and wants to hear from any person over the age of 13, in the Bluff area, who wants to give waka ama a go. The main criteria being that people must be able to swim 100 metres.

There is a meeting arranged for Monday 11 July, starting at 5pm at the rūnaka office at 12 Bradshaw Street, Bluff.

The meeting will be to discuss the forming of a committee, obtaining a coach/instructor, and setting days and times for waka ama practice and participating in any friendly challenges amongst the local waka ama community. All are welcome to attend. In the meantime, those that are interested please contact Tina on 03 212 6029.

Pānui contributions

If members have an item of interest they wish to share with Te Whānau o Ngāi Tahu please contact Tina on 03 212 6029 or email [email protected]

Membership database

We are constantly updating our membership database and have found that many members’ children have had children of their own that require registering. If you are one of these people we encourage you to contact us on 03 212 6029 or email: [email protected] to request registration form/s.

NB: If your enquiries relate to registering with Ngāi Tahu please contact the Whakapapa Unit on 0800 524 8248.

We also encourage those members who have changed residential or email addresses to update their details by contacting the rūnanga on the above number or email address.

Membership database

We are constantly updating our membership database and have found that many members’ children have had children of their own that require registering. If you are one of these people we encourage you to contact us on 03 212 6029 or email: [email protected] to request registration form/s.

NB: If your enquiries relate to registering with Ngāi Tahu please contact the Whakapapa Unit on 0800 524 8248. We also encourage those members who have changed residential or email addresses to update their details by contacting the rūnanga on the above number or email address.

Kā mihi aroha

To all our whānau, suffering the loss of loved ones at this time Awarua Rūnanga extends all our love and sympathy.

Rā whānau

Happy birthday to all those celebrating their birthday.

Bluff 2024 update

The Bluff 2024 Rejuvenation group continues to work steadily working on a number of projects in the Bluff township. The 2016 Oyster Festival is fast approaching and once again Bluff will be inundated with people from near and far to indulge in our local delicacy. In the lead up to this festival, the 2024 rejuvenation group is intending, weather permitting, to undergo further work around the ever popular “Bluff” entrance sign, as well as planting and maintenance along the stretch of adopted highway leading into Bluff.

The Ocean Beach lookout area is also thriving due to the consistent efforts of the 2024 rejuvenation group and the owner/caretakers, Dave and Raewyn. At Easter a local couple chose to have their wedding reception at this spot, which proved to be a fabulous choice and generated new fans for the work being done and more positive encouragement.

The work done by this small hardworking team has been outstanding, but they need new volunteers to help out. They extend an invitation to anyone living in the Bluff area to get involved, whether it’s time, ideas, skills, resources or donations of plants and materials. They would love to expand their active membership so that they can tackle more projects in shorter timeframes. Te Rau Aroha Marae continues to support the 2024 rejuvenation group and their monthly meetings are held there on the first Monday of the month starting at 7pm.

The team is small and dedicated and very proud of its achievements around the town but could do with a few more volunteers. So keep any eye out for upcoming working bee dates and come and join them.

You can also contact Steve Mitchell on: 021 127 9224 or Tammi Topi on: 027 491 2179. Bluff 2024 Rejuvenation also have a Facebook page: ‘Bluff 2024’ or email: [email protected]

Bluff 2024 Logo.

Bluff 2024 Logo.

Pānui contributions

If members wish to have an item of interest shared with te whānau o Ngāi Tahu please contact Tina on: 03 212 6029 or email: [email protected]

Membership database

We are constantly updating our membership database and have found that many members’ children have had children of their own that require registering. If you are one of these people we encourage you to contact us on: 03 212 6029 or email: [email protected] to request registration form/s.

NB: If your enquiries relate to registering with Ngāi Tahu please contact the Whakapapa Unit on 0800 524 8248.

We also encourage those members that have changed residential or email addresses to update their details by contacting the rūnanga on the above number or email address.

Ka mihi aroha

To all our whānau suffering the loss of loved ones at this time, Awarua Rūnaka extends all our love and sympathy.

Rā whānau

Happy birthday to all those celebrating their birthdays this month.

Pānui contributions

If members have an item of interest they wish to share with te whānau o Ngāi Tahu please contact Tina on 03 212 6029 or email: [email protected]

Membership database

We are constantly updating our membership database and have found that many members’ children have had their own children who need registering. If you are one of these people we encourage you to contact us on 03 212 6029 or email: [email protected] to request registration form(s). NB: If your enquiries relate to registering with Ngāi Tahu please contact the Whakapapa Unit on 0800 524 8248.

We also encourage those members that have changed residential or email addresses to update their details by contacting the rūnanga on the above number or email address.

Ngā mihi o te Tau Hou ki a koutou katoa. I hope everyone had a good break and is ready to face the challenges the new year brings.

Ngā mate

To all our whānau, suffering the loss of loved ones at this time Awarua Rūnanga extends all our love and sympathy.

Rā whānau

Happy birthday to all those celebrating their birthdays this month.

Kaumātua Christmas lunch

2 December, rolled around and it was an extremely hot day for the kaumātua lunch at Te Rau Aroha Marae. The wharekai was full with excitement and chatter. The meal was wonderful as was the entertainment by Bluff Schools’ senior kapa haka rōpū and the tamariki from Te Rourou Whakatipuranga Early Childhood Centre.

Some of our tamariki and their kaiako performing at the lunch.

Some of our tamariki and their kaiako performing at the lunch.

The kapa haka group treating the kaumātua to a performance.

The kapa haka group treating the kaumātua to a performance.

Hinga Clark and Tui Bragg.

Hinga Clark and Tui Bragg.

Judy Ryan, Margaret Bragg and other kaumātua at the Christmas lunch.

Judy Ryan, Margaret Bragg and other kaumātua at the Christmas lunch.

Christmas at Bluff

Debbie Fife put Gail and I on the spot about entering the Christmas tree competition for businesses and organisations when we went into the Bluff Service Centre late last year.

Initially we tackled the project with enthusiasm but as the year came to a close opportunities to put together a tree started to fade and then it was the week of the event.

Gail and I madly rushed around Bluff, Greenpoint, Greenhills and Ōmaui with a truckload of tamariki looking for natural resources to create our tree.

A few hours hard work went into putting together our tree and then dismantling it for reassembling the next morning at the oyster festival site.

The weather gods on 19 December, were kind to the organisers and the day was glorious and the atmosphere and entertainment awesome. Santa’s appearance put a smile on everyone’s faces.

The finished Christmas tree.

The finished Christmas tree.

Tai Chi classes

Joyce Manahi from Awarua Whānau Services, has resumed Tai Chi classes for the over 55s, on Mondays between 10-11 am in the wharenui at Te Rau Aroha Marae. These sessions are followed by light refreshments. To cover costs a gold coin would be appreciated.

Pānui contributions

If members have an item of interest they wish to share with te whānau o Ngāi Tahu please contact Tina on
03 212 6029 or email: [email protected]

Membership database

We are constantly updating our membership database and have found that many members’ children have had children of their own who require registering. If you are one of these people we encourage you to contact us on 03 212 6029 or email: [email protected] to request registration form/s.

NB: If your enquiries relate to registering with Ngāi Tahu please contact the Whakapapa Unit on 0800 524 8248.

We also encourage those members who have changed residential or email addresses to update their details by contacting the rūnanga on the above number or email address.

Ngā mate

To all our whānau, suffering the loss of loved ones at this time Awarua Rūnanga extends all our love and sympathy.

Pānui contributions

If members have an item of interest they wish to share with te whānau o Ngāi Tahu please contact Tina on 03 212 6029 or email [email protected]

Ngā mate

To all our whānau suffering the loss of loved ones at this time, Awarua Rūnanga extends all our love and sympathy.

Rā whānau

Happy birthday to everyone celebrating a birthday this month.

Rugby World Cup

Wow, didn’t the All Blacks do New Zealand proud at this year’s tournament? They received support from young and old alike and to prove this, the tamariki, kaiako and kaimahi prepared a ‘Go All Blacks’ sign which they hung on their fence the week prior to the finals.

Rugby World Cup

Rūnanga office hours

Our office will be closing on Friday 18 December and will re-open on Monday 18 January 2016.

Pānui contributions

If members have an item of interest they wish to share with Ngāi Tahu whānau please contact Tina on 03 212 6029 or email [email protected]

Membership database

We are constantly updating our membership database and have found that many members’ children have had children of their own who require registering. If you are one of these people we encourage you to contact us on: 03 212 6029 or email: [email protected] to request registration form(s).

NB: If your enquiries relate to registering with Ngāi Tahu please contact the Whakapapa Unit on 0800 524 8248.

We also encourage those members who have changed residential or email addresses to update their details by contacting the rūnanga on the above number or email address.

Ngā mate

To all our whānau suffering the loss of loved ones at this time Awarua Rūnanga extends our love and sympathy.

Rā whānau

Happy birthday to everyone celebrating birthdays this month.

Te Rourou Whakatipuranga o Awarua

Located on the grounds of Te Rau Aroha Marae and overlooking Bluff Harbour, Awarua Rūnanga has the southern-most marae-based bi-lingual early childhood education centre. The centre is staffed with three fully-trained kaiako (bachelor of teaching endorsed in early childhood education) and two experienced kaiāwhina (one is in their second year of early childhood education training).

The staff and management committee are dedicated and passionate about providing high quality programmes that build and extend tamariki learning and confidence. Their unique local curriculum is based on Te Ao Māori and affirms the tamariki heritage and language.

The centre is open from 8.30am-5pm Monday to Friday and is open to tamariki aged from three months to five-years. The centre offers kura kaupapa i mua (a bicultural before school programme) for three and a half to five-year-olds, on Mondays and Thursdays. Centre closures are for three weeks over the Christmas period and statutory days.

If you are looking for childcare that provides a caring and culturally stimulating environment then contact the centre’s kairuruku/coordinator, Trish Kerr on: 022128866 or text: 0273888266; or email: [email protected] to find out more about the 20 free hours for over three-year-olds and enrolment.

Kaumātua Christmas dinner

Te Rau Aroha Marae will be holding a Christmas dinner for Bluff senior citizens on Wednesday 2 December at 12.30pm. Entertainment will be provided by the Bluff Community School kapa haka group.

If you live in Bluff and would like to come along and catch up with your friends, share some festive fare and entertainment, please contact Jacqui or Sharon on: 212 7205 by 23 November to confirm your attendance for catering purposes as numbers are limited.

Pānui contributions
If members have an item they wish to share with te whānau o Ngāi Tahu please contact Tina on: 03 212 6029 or email: [email protected]

Membership database

We are constantly updating our membership database and have found that many members’ children have had children of their own who need to be registered. If you are one of these people we encourage you to contact us on: 03 212 6029 or email: [email protected] to request registration form/s. NB: If your enquiries relate to registering with Ngāi Tahu please contact the Whakapapa Unit on 0800 KAI TAHU (0800 524 8248).

We also encourage those members who have changed residential or email addresses to update their details by contacting the rūnanga on the above number or email address.

Ngā mate

To all our whānau, suffering the loss of loved ones at this time Awarua Rūnanga extends all our love and sympathy.

Rā whānau

Happy birthday to all of you celebrating birthdays this month.

Get well

Last month, when we were experiencing good old Jack Frost at our marae kitchen our cook, Sharon Malofie slipped at her back door and broke her arm. Unfortunately, Sharon is out of commission for about six weeks. Rest up and we will see you back at work when your arm is all better.

Pānui contributions

If members have an item of interest they wish to share with te whānau o Ngāi Tahu please contact Tina on 03 212 6029 or email [email protected]

Membership database

We are constantly updating our membership database and have found that many members’ children have had children of their own who require registering. If you are one of these people, we encourage you to contact us on the details above to request registration form/s.

We also encourage those members who have changed residential or email addresses to update their details by contacting us at the rūnanga.

NB: If your enquiries relate to registering with Ngāi Tahu please contact the Whakapapa Unit on 0800 524 8248.

Awarua Rūnanga.

Awarua Rūnanga.

Ka mihi aroha

To all our whānau, suffering the loss of loved ones at this time Awarua Rūnanga extends all our love and sympathy.

Rā whānau

Happy birthday to all of you celebrating birthdays this month.

Special commercial fishing closures

In the mid-1980s, Uncle Harold Ashwell and Uncle George Ryan facilitated a programme to identify and protect customary fishing areas of significance around the Tītī Islands. Thirty-four areas were identified, focusing primarily on pāua and kina gathering areas.

These areas were to be closed to commercial fishers by regulation, however this did not happen given the lack of Governmental interest in facilitating such outcomes in the 1980s. This resulted in a ‘gentlemen’s agreement with commercial fishers not to fish these areas. Unfortunately this agreement was ignored over subsequent years.

From the late 1990s, onwards birders made constant requests for the Office of Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu to complete the work of George and Harold to protect these key customary fisheries for birding whānau. The work to enact these regulations was initiated by the Customary Fisheries Unit in the late 1990s and this work was continued by Kaupapa Taiao, Toitū Te Whenua and most recently by Tribal Interests.

In March, the Minister for Primary Industries approved the establishment of special commercial fishing closures for thirty-one areas around the Tītī Islands (three of the original 34 areas identified for protection were protected using Mātaitai Reserves in July 2010).

The new regulations were approved by Cabinet in June and came into force in July. If you wish to obtain a copy of the maps and documentation these closures cover you can contact members of the Rakiura Tītī Island (Beneficial Islands) Committee or members of Rakiura Tītī Islands Administering Body (Crown Islands).

Membership database

We are constantly updating our membership database and have found that many members’ children have had children of their own who require registering. If you are one of these people we encourage you to contact us on at the office to request a form/s.

NB: If your enquiries relate to registering with Ngāi Tahu please contact the Whakapapa Unit on: 0800 524 8248.

We also encourage those members who have changed residential or email addresses to update their details by contacting the rūnanga on 03 212 6029/027 525 7055; or email [email protected]

Contributions

If members have an item of interest that they wish to share with te whānau o Ngāi Tahu please contact Tina Mitchell.

Ka mihi aroha

To all our whānau, suffering the loss of loved ones at this time Awarua Rūnanga extends all our love and sympathy.

Rā whānau

Happy birthday to all of you celebrating birthdays this month.

Pānui contributions

If members have an item of interest that they wish to share with te whānau o Ngāi Tahu please contact Tina on 03 212 6029 or email [email protected] [Read more…]

Ka mihi aroha

To all our whānau, suffering the loss of loved ones at this time Awarua Rūnanga extends all our love and sympathy.

Rā whānau

Happy birthday to all of you who are celebrating birthdays this month.

Pānui contributions

If members have an item of interest they wish to share with te whānau o Ngāi Tahu please contact Tina on 03 212 6029 or email [email protected].

Membership database

We are constantly updating our membership database and have found that many members’ children have had children of their own who require registering.

If you are one of these people we encourage you to contact us on the above details to request registration form/s. NB: If your enquiries relate to registering with Ngāi Tahu please contact the Whakapapa Unit on 0800 524 8248. We also encourage those members who have changed residential or email addresses to update their details by contacting us at the rūnanga office.

Tītī season

For all those participating in birding for this tītī season, travel safely and hopefully you will all have a prosperous harvest.

Kā mihi aroha

To all our whānau, suffering the loss of loved ones at this time Awarua Rūnanga extends all our love and sympathy.

Rā whānau

Happy birthday to all of you celebrating birthdays this month.

Pānui contributions

If members have an item of interest that they wish to share with te whānau o Ngāi Tahu please contact Tina on 03 212 6029 or email [email protected].

Membership database

We are constantly updating our membership database and have found that many members’ children have had children of their own who require registering. If you are one of these people we encourage you to contact us on the contact details above to request registration form/s.

We also encourage those members who have changed residential or email addresses to update their details by contacting us at the rūnanga office.

NB: If your enquiries relate to registering with Ngāi Tahu please contact the Whakapapa Unit on 0800 KAI TAHU (0800 524 8248).

Kā mihi aroha

To all our whānau, suffering the loss of loved ones at this time Awarua Rūnanga extends all our love and sympathy.

Rā whānau

Happy birthday to everyone celebrating birthdays this month.

Pānui contributions

If members wish to wish to share an item of interest with te whānau o Ngāi Tahu please contact Tina on 03 212 6029 or email [email protected].

Membership database

We are constantly updating our membership database and have found that many members’ children have had children of their own that require registering. If you are one of these people we encourage you to contact us on 03 212 6029 or email [email protected] to request registration form/s.

NB: If your enquiries relate to registering with Ngāi Tahu please contact the Whakapapa Unit on 0800 524 8248. We also encourage those members who have changed residential or email addresses to update their details by contacting the rūnanga on the above number or email address.

Kā mihi aroha

Awarua Rūnanga extends all our love and sympathy to all our whānau, suffering the loss of loved ones at this time.

Rā whānau

Happy birthday to all those celebrating their birthdays this month. [Read more…]

Ka mihi aroha

To all our whānau, suffering the loss of loved ones at this time Awarua Rūnanga extends all our love and sympathy.

Rā whānau

Happy birthday to all of you who are celebrating birthdays this month.

Belated congratulations

Arohanui to staff and management at Awarua Synergy Ltd, an entity of Te Rūnaka o Awarua, for the belated congratulations on winning the Suzanne Spencer Memorial Award – for making business pay. It was an award that they received at the KUMA Māori Business Network hui, held in Te Anau in early September.

General manager, Sumaria Beaton and operations and business manager Jason Harrison, were both on hand to accept the award from Tā Tipene O’Regan.

KUMA works in the Otago and Southland regions to support and develop Māori business networks and as a member of seven years, Awarua Synergy has utilised the group’s business networks to gain experience and help with possible expansion into the insulation and solar heating industry in Central Otago.

Sumaria said the award was a great boost for staff who had faced a challenging couple of years. In recognition of the success, auditor of Awarua Synergy Ltd, Crowe Horwath, shouted morning tea for all the staff. Once again congratulations. What a great achievement.

The award and Southland Times newspaper article.

The award and Southland Times newspaper article.

From left, Awarua Synergy Ltd staff, Tyrone Cranston, Maree Wilks, Emil Rahiti and Dayna Kaio.

From left, Awarua Synergy Ltd staff, Tyrone Cranston, Maree Wilks, Emil Rahiti and Dayna Kaio.

Nurse-led clinics

Te Kākano nurse-led clinics, run by Awarua Whānau Services, started recently around Murihiku. Clinics for Bluff residents are being held at Te Rūnaka o Awarua on a monthly basis with Nadine Goldsmith, a registered nurse.

The services offered are: tamariki ora checks, rangatahi checks, cervical smears, sexual health checks and contraception advice, pregnancy testing, weight monitoring, blood sugar and blood pressure checks, heart, diabetes and breathing checks to identify your risk of illness, access to a podiatrist, access to a dietician, helping you to develop a health plan to meet your goals, helping you know who and what is available to meet your health needs.

They will work with other health providers (e.g. your GP or local hospital) to enable the best care for you.

The last Bluff clinic for the year will be on held on Wednesday 17 December between 10am-4pm. Please drop in to see Nadine if you have any health queries. No appointment is required and the service is free of charge.

Iron Māori

On 1 November, a team of Kāi Tahu wāhine took part in the quarter Iron Māori event at Pandora Pond, Napier.

Jackie West (Awarua Rūnanga) ran 10.5 kilometres, Abby Hamilton (Te Rūnanga o Koukourārata, Ōnuku Rūnanga) biked 45 kilometres and Donna Gemaries (Te Rūnanga o Koukourārata, Ōnuku Rūnanga) completed the swim. Ka mau te wehi.

From left, Abby Hamilton, Jackie West, Donna Gemaries.

From left, Abby Hamilton, Jackie West, Donna Gemaries.

Membership database

We are currently updating our membership database and have found that many members children have had children of their own who require registering. If you are one of these people we encourage you to contact us on 03 212 6029; or email [email protected] to request registration form/s.

We also encourage those members who have changed residential or email addresses to update their details by contacting the rūnanga on the above number or email address.

Pānui contributions

If members have anything of interest they wish to share with te whānau o Ngāi Tahu, please contact Tina on 03 212 6029 or email [email protected].