Kāi Tahu Ki Ōtaki

In this month’s article for Kāi Tahu ki Ōtaki we are profiling one of our special tāua, who is a poutokomanawa for our rōpū here in Ōtaki.

Mary Williams.

Mary Williams.

Mary Clare Bradshaw was born at 11 Ann Street in Bluff on 20 September 1936 to Agnes and Charles Huia Bradshaw. Her grandparents on her Dad’s side were Ellen Bradshaw (nee Harwood) and Charles Huia Bradshaw (from Bluff); and on her Mum’s side, Thomas and Mary O’Neil. Mary has an older sister, Joan, and an older brother, Neil. Mary and her whānau are Kāti Rakiamoa and belong to Te Rau Aroha Marae. She was schooled at St Theresa Primary School in Bluff and then at St Catherine’s College in Invercargill. Mary has fond memories of gatherings at ‘The Māori House,’ where Aunty Ngawara and Uncle Norman Bradshaw would teach action songs and haka.

In 1957, Mary married Henry Williams (Muaupoko) in Bluff and they went on to have four children – Donna, Marianna, Sterling and Clare. As tamariki they all went to ‘Waitaha Hall’ to learn action songs and haka from Aunty Celia and Uncle Bill Ramati. Twenty years ago, Mary and Henry left Bluff to move to Ōtaki, where all of their children lived. However, Mary still thinks of Bluff as her home. As well as her four children, Mary has fifteen grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren with one more on the way. Mary enjoys getting together with the Kāi Tahu ki Ōtaki rōpu and hopes it will continue to grow and prosper. E te Tāua, e Mary, he mihi aroha ki a koe.

Mary and Henry with their children, (from left)  Donna, Mariana, Clare and Sterling.

Mary and Henry with their children, (from left) Donna, Mariana, Clare and Sterling.

Mary at the 2013 Kāi Tahu ki Ōtaki weaving wānanga.

Mary at the 2013 Kāi Tahu ki Ōtaki weaving wānanga.

Contacts
If you don’t think you’re on our email list, flick me an email: [email protected]

Ngāi Tahu ki Tauranga Moana

First hui
On a warm Sunday afternoon, a small group of whānau gathered at the Tauranga Boys’ College wharenui for our first catch-up of the year. Huey Rurehe, chair, opened the meeting and we heard from Uncle Joe on various items he has been working through for the whānau. The planning for our trip south in October is going really well and each time we meet we have progressed further. It’s going to be a great trip.

We welcomed Shona Morris as a new member of the whānau – it’s always great to have more whānau come on board. Thanks for making the time to come along Shona and we hope to see a lot more of you.

Brian and Haina’s mokopuna came along with the biggest smiles, masses of enthusiasm and the nicest manners; and they joined in with us “older ones,” in some fun lessons in basic haka led by Huey Rurehe. Our next hui is our annual general meeting, which will be held on Sunday 27 April, at 1pm at Tauranga Boys’ College wharenui. We hope to have a special guest speaker from Ngāi Tahu in Christchurch. At this stage it is in the planning and we can’t confirm yet. If you have been thinking you would like to come along to a hui (we have 5-6 per year), now would be a great time.

If you have any queries, please contact Uncle Joe Briggs on 07 578 5997. We welcome all whānau.

Back, Haina Inia, Shona Morris, Brian Inia.  Front, Haina and Brian’s mokopuna, Marukauhau and Sataviah Howden-Turnball.

Back, Haina Inia, Shona Morris, Brian Inia. Front, Haina and Brian’s mokopuna, Marukauhau and Sataviah Howden-Turnball.

Ngāi Tahu ki Tāmaki Makaurau

A tribute to Charlie Boy
Kāi Tahu whānau ki Tāmaki Makaurau have loved this wonderful little Shetland pony, Charlie Boy for the last eight years. He’s brought joy and pleasure to our tamariki as one of the attractions at our annual Waitangi Day celebrations.

Thank you so much Charlie Boy for the many rides that you gave our children. You had a calm and peaceful nature and you made our children feel so safe. This year the children missed you Charlie Boy – they remembered you and asked where you were because they enjoyed being with you. But sadly Charlie, you were taken during a very heavy storm and you were unable to make it. You will always be fondly remembered and sadly missed. Thanks and farewell Charlie Boy. And Vicky, we give you our love and support, and thanks for all those times you have driven Charlie Boy over to us here in Tāmaki Makaurau.

A well-loved little pony.

A well-loved little pony.

A favourite with the tamariki.

A favourite with the tamariki.

Kāi Tahu ki Whakatāne

Our group was recently asked if we could help organise the food for the caterers at the National Women’s Welfare League dinner and ball at their Whakatāne conference.

We were greeted enthusiastically by the three workers, who much appreciated the help of 12 of our enthusiastic volunteers, especially as there were 650 diners to be catered for.

The experience  was particularly valuable for our group and we realized that we have the personnel and expertise to set up our own fundraising catering group. Nā Oriwia Rehu-Murchie.

From left, Rossane Jones’s her daughter Abish, Sandra Maaka-Haami, Rose Hawkes, Hori Kawau, Sue Southerwood, Marie Hannah, Grenville Haami, Oriwia Rehu-Murchie, Judy White and Helen.

From left, Rossane Jones’s her daughter Abish, Sandra Maaka-Haami, Rose Hawkes, Hori Kawau, Sue Southerwood, Marie Hannah, Grenville Haami, Oriwia Rehu-Murchie, Judy White and Helen.


Kāi Tahu Ki Otaki

Kei kā ihu oneone, kei kā turi paru o te iwi, tēnā tātou katoa. E whai ake nei ētahi maramara kōrero o kā uri o te tipuna Aoraki, e noho nei i raro i te pae mauka o Tararua.

Te Ara o Te Ringa Mauī exhibition
Our resident artist, Mātene Te Putu Climie, who affiliates to Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Kapumanawawhiti, Ngāi Tahu and Muaūpoko, opened an exhibition of his works at Mahara Gallery in Waikanae on 11 October. Matene gives us a background to this exhibition:
“For a year I have been gathering and producing art from a multimedia perspective, as I never like to stick to one type of medium. I am forever challenging myself to find some level of perfection in my work.

Te Ara o Te Ringa Mauī or (path of The Left Hand) is challenging the world view of how the left hand has always been regarded as the path of the evil one. This bizarre concept is not only common in western religion, but is also found within other cultures’ practices, with the left hand being unclean and should only be used to clean the body, or more so within the Māori culture as a sign of insult when greeting and placing koha to the guests.

Though this phenomena is widely accepted, those who are left handed find this accepted rule difficult to comprehend, with most, if not all things made for right-handed people. Therefore I’ve had to by choice not by chance adopt right-handed behaviour to be part of the collective group of 80 – 95% right-handed people. So I’ve learnt to play all instruments right-handed and to bat and swing right-handed. But of all things, my art has always been left-handed.

Inspired by lefties such as Leonardo Da Vinci, Michelangelo Buonarotti of the Italian Renaissance, and most importantly the trickster Māui Tikitiki-ā-Taranga himself, this exhibition is my close relationship with art from a survival instinct made from a left-handed point-of-view.”

Matene Climie.

Matene Climie.

Poi Āwhio, part of the Te Ara o Te Ringa Mauī exhibition.

Poi Āwhio, part of the Te Ara o Te Ringa Mauī exhibition.

Upcoming wānaka
16-17 November – Kāi Tahu reo, pūrākau and other kōrero with Hana.
Whakatau: 2pm, 16 November/Whitu. Finishes: 1pm, 17 November/Whitu. Ki whea: Tū Roa kōhanga, Ōtaki.


NT ki Tamaki Makaurau

Ngāi Tahu ki Tāmaki Makaurau

Wānanga success
Although we were missing two of our esteemed kaumātua, it was a great weekend with strong whanaungatanga. Papa Kukupa was originally booked to do a te reo wānanga with us, however he was called away for another important hui in Wellington, to tautoko the new kaihautū at Te Papa. We were sad not to have him there, but we understood, and were grateful for his organisation of a kaikōrero and kaikaranga to welcome our manuhiri at the pōwhiri.

We are also very excited about his upcoming Ngāi Tahu reo classes. Unfortunately kaumātua Ron (Bones) Rissetto was very unwell and could not be there. Our thoughts and aroha are very much with him and we wish him a prompt recovery. We had a full quorum for our annual general meeting, which went well, and we welcome all new committee and executive members We also thank all those outgoing for all their hard mahi to date. Cheri’s Caterer’s provided a delicious spread throughout the weekend.

Maha Tomo did a taonga-making workshop after the Saturday meeting followed by my korero and slide show on Aoraki Bound. Jacqui Edwards ran various waiata sessions; and it was great to learn some more Ngāi Tahu waiata. On the Sunday morning we facilitated a “River of Life” journeys workshop, looking at each of our journeys through life. Each person drew their river and wrote some words about it, and had the opportunity korero on this and it was great whakawhanaungatanga – it’s fascinating what you can do with some felt pens and big sheets of paper.

Ngā mihi nui, a big thank you to all the kaimahi and to everyone who came along and helped make the weekend a success. Nā Jonathan Sargisson.

Mereana Robinson Silbery, Koro Silbery, Hurihia Tomo, Shanan Kohi, Joanne Barrett, Brian How, Raelynn Bennett, Kelly Cherokee, Jade Ryder in front.

Mereana Robinson Silbery, Koro Silbery, Hurihia Tomo, Shanan Kohi, Joanne Barrett, Brian How, Raelynn Bennett, Kelly Cherokee, Jade Ryder in front.

Wānanga participants had a great time over the weekend.

Wānanga participants had a great time over the weekend.

Riki Kohi, Charlotte Friend, Maha Tomo, Tewainui Tomo, Jonathan Sargisson.

Riki Kohi, Charlotte Friend, Maha Tomo, Tewainui Tomo, Jonathan Sargisson.

Hui
Our Taurahere Hui-ā-Tau date has been changed to 8-10 November.
Pōwhiri will start at 6pm Friday 8 November. Nau mai, haere mai.


Kāi Tahu ki Waikato

Night with Ngāi Tahu
Kāi Tahu ki Waikato held its inaugural ‘Night with Ngāi Tahu’ event in Hamilton in September. It was our way of celebrating our Kaitahutaka – and catching up with all the happenings from down home. We had a hot boy band playing, our very own mahi raranga artist, Irene Brady exhibiting her beautiful, delicate muka work and we had art work by Kāi Tahu whānau adorning the walls. Uncle Kukupa came down from Auckland and set the scene and the next door café owner, Mr Milton did us proud by cooking a range of delicious kai, which was served up to whānau by our own rakatahi.

We were also blessed by the presence of senior Tainui kaumātua, Koroneihana Cooper and Tu Tu Ormsby plus Hauraki kaumātua, Harry Mikaere. It was so appropriate to have them there and Uncle Terry Ryan’s focus during his korero on Kāi Tahu-Tainui links was right on the button. We are very fortunate to live under the korowai of the Tainui people and we will continue to acknowledge and celebrate that. Tā Mark Solomon, Aunty Ranui Ngarimu and Terry Ryan were our speakers and it is always a pleasure to have them with us, sharing their wisdom and their ability to walk among the people and to connect with everyone.

To cap the evening off we screened the documentary Pounamu the Stone in our Bones. It was so good to see a documentary made from a Kāi Tahu-centric view of the world. Best of all though, was being able to bring our Kāi Tahu ki waho whānau together and have the opportunity to further develop our connections and relationships. We were buzzing after the night’s success and have decided to hold this event on an annual basis as part of our commitment to growing what we can offer to our whānau via our Taurahere rōpū.

Tā Mark with Martin Orbell.

Tā Mark with Martin Orbell.

Uncle Terry shares his kōrero.

Uncle Terry shares his kōrero.

Tā Mark Solomon speaks at our Night with Ngāi Tahu.

Tā Mark Solomon speaks at our Night with Ngāi Tahu.

Left, Harry Mikaere Hauraki, pays tribute to Tā Mark Solomon. Right, Patsy Davies and Maria Diamond.

Harry Mikaere Hauraki, pays tribute to Tā Mark Solomon.

Patsy Davies and Maria Diamond.

Patsy Davies and Maria Diamond.

Tania Simpson and Uncle Kukupa catch up.

Tania Simpson and Uncle Kukupa catch up.

Martin Orbell and Uncle Terry.

Martin Orbell and Uncle Terry.

Kīngitanga day
The next day Tā Mark was keynote speaker at Waikato University’s Kīngitanga Day, a presence that symbolises the value of the partnership between Ngāi Tahu and Tainui. He spoke in two sessions and demonstrated why he is our Kaiwhakahaere. He was humble, genuine, passionate and profound in sharing his thoughts around building a future for our people. Our taurahere rōpū were proud to be his support crew for the day.

From left,  Auntie Ranui, Tā Mark, Maaki Tuatini, Moana Lousi, Jenny Boyd, Jane Stevens, Uncle Terry and Papi Barrett at Waikato University Kingitanga Day.

From left, Auntie Ranui, Tā Mark, Maaki Tuatini, Moana Lousi, Jenny Boyd, Jane Stevens, Uncle Terry and Papi Barrett at Waikato University Kingitanga Day.

Kāitahutaka wānaka
We have been working hard on getting our regular whānau gatherings up and running as well. We have been really fortunate in having the services of Matiu Payne and Phillipa to take us on a journey, learning our waiata and tikanga.

We meet at the Raroera campus of Te Wānanga in Te Rapa and our next hui is on Sunday 3 November at 5pm. Bring your enthusiasm, the kids and a plate.


Ngāi Tahu ki Te Tairāwhiti

Hei pepī
Welcome to Hoana Keita Henare, born on 5 October at Te Puia Springs Hospital – a new grand-daughter for Elizabeth Henare and a baby daughter for Wiremu Henare (Ngāti Porou, Ngāi Tahu) and Stephanie Wilson (Ngāti Konohi). All the very best to whānau.

Kāi Tahu ki Whakatāne

Pounamu hui
Our recent pounamu hui was held on 24-25 August at Ngāti Pūkeko Marae at Poroporo, Whakatāne. We were blessed with a perfect first day and the weekend was a fun and informative time for our rōpū, and also a great chance to meet other Kāi Tahu descendants living in our rohe.

It was a weekend to remember, thanks to our hard working committee and our guest speakers from Auckland and Te Puke. The Ngāi Tahu Fund contribution which made it all possible.
Nā Pauline Cottrell.

Ngāti Pūkeko Marae, Whakatāne.

Ngāti Pūkeko Marae, Whakatāne.

Our three amigos (from left), Horomona Tau, Grenville Ham and Philip Kemp.

Our three amigos (from left), Horomona Tau, Grenville Ham and Philip Kemp.

Hiria and Don Shanks, Bones Rissetto from Tāmaki Makaurau taurahere rōpū,Whetu Moataane and Sue Amoamo before the pōwhiri.

Hiria and Don Shanks, Bones Rissetto from Tāmaki Makaurau taurahere rōpū,Whetu Moataane and Sue Amoamo before the pōwhiri.

Hui report
In August Ngāi Tahu ki Whakatāne whānau were welcomed onto Ngāti Pūkeko Marae by Joe and Bunty Mason. The hui was here was because Sandra and Bradford (Brad) Haami have strong connections to the marae and Dr Maaka (Kāi Tahu) served people here his whole life and we wanted to honour his Kāi Tahu connection.

Alongside Brad, Whetu Moataane from the Office of Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu spoke on the marae to answer Joe’s whaikōrero.

After the hariru we all had morning tea in the whare kai followed by a group photo. A whakawhanaukataka session was opened by Uncle Joe with a karakia.

Around 60 people arrived to share their whānau lineages. Some people were looking for their Kāi Tahu links but may have not been Kāi Tahu but more Ngāi Kuia and Ngāti Tūmatakōkiri, or Ngāti Koata. Without the whakapapa unit there, it was hard to confirm their identities as Kāi Tahu but we asked them to stay with us in aroha and manaaki.

After lunch, Whetu updated everyone on Kāi Tahu business and gave out registration forms. He was able to answer the people’s questions on identity and business including queries about Whai Rawa. Brad then shared a session on identity and gave a broad outline of the origins of Kāi Tahu from Te Waka o Aoraki and the canoes like Huruhurumanu, Uruao, Araiteuru and then the migration of Tukete; and also the Paikea (Tahupōtiki and Whatiuateramaama lines) people from the east coast including Ngāi Tahu migrations with Tūāhuriri, Tūtekawa, Maru to the south.

Brad also gave us the origin stories of pounamu, which was earmarked as a theme for the gathering. The South Island stories of Hinetuahoanga, Poutini and Tamaahua with his wives were told and connections were made to the local stories in Mataatua. The customs around gathering stone and current Kāi Tahu/Māwhera pounamu-owning rights were shared.

Cherry Tapurau (Kāi Tahu), who lives in Rotorua, shared her working pounamu session on the atea in the sun. She shared her history with the stone and gave a summary of the process of grinding and shaping the stone, and tying bindings to taonga. She showed two beautiful mere pounamu she had made. Others shared their histories with pounamu and also about the mōkihi, which was used to carry the stone down the rivers. People were really drawn to the kaupapa.

On our second day, everyone present went to The Heads at the mouth of the Whakatāne River to see Hinetuahoanga Rock, the largest grindstone/sandstone in Aotearoa. Kaumātua Joe Mason told the local story of the rock and Kāi Tahu whānau were pretty overwhelmed. We saw the biggest stationary hōanga stone in New Zealand at the heads called Hinetuahoanga.

Nā Bradford Haami.

 

Manuhiri arrive at Ngāti Pukeko Marae.

Manuhiri arrive at Ngāti Pukeko Marae.

Group photo outside the wharenui.

Rena May-Hough (left), recipient of Cherry’s newly carved piece of pounamu, and committee member, Oriwia Rehu Murchie.


Kāi Tahu Ki Ōtaki

E ngā uri o Tahu, tēnā tātou.
Tēnei te reo mihi ki a tātou i te puaka o Kana.

Mahi toi
Kei te haere tonu kā mahi kōwhaiwhai. We continue with our kōwhaiwhai kaupapa, under Matene Climie’s (Bluff whānau) guidance. Our tamariki have revealed themselves as the ultimate artists – creative, uninhibited and keen students – kei ruka noa atu koutou. Our major panel will be completed over the next 2-3 hui.

Last month Amiria Carkeek (Bluff whānau) exhibited a hieke/rain cape she created in her first year of Toi Whakarākai studies. The hieke sat alongside other artwork from Te Wānanga o Raukawa students and staff in the Ōtaki Library art space, Ngā Purapura. Amiria used the following materials in the production of her stunning hieke: jute, harakeke, muka, pūkeko feathers and commercial dye. Ka mutu pea te ātaahua o tō mahi, Amiria.

The hieke Amiria Carkeek created in her first year of Toi Whakarākai studies.

The hieke Amiria Carkeek created in her first year of Toi Whakarākai studies.

Ngā kōrero hauora
After 12 years of dialysis Johanna Williams had a kidney transplant on 4 September. Johanna is the eldest mokopuna of Mary Clare (née Bradshaw) and Henry Williams formerly of Bluff, and the eldest child of Mariana Williams and Mathew Wilson. The whānau would like to send love and blessings to the donor for their generosity and selfless act of giving life to our grand-daughter, daughter, mother, sister, auntie and friend. There are no words to express our gratitude and aroha to you for your act of giving and aroha, you will be forever in our prayers and thoughts. Aroha nui, nā te whānau.


Ngāi Tahu ki Tāmaki Makaurau

Annual general meeting
Kāi/Ngāi Tahu Whānui ki Tāmaki Makaurau (Inc) are holding their annual general meeting on Saturday 5 October at Ngā Kete Wānanga Marae, MIT, Gate 12 Otara Road at 11am. Pōwhiri will be held on Friday 4 October at 5pm.

This will be followed by our kaumātua Kukupa Tirikatene teaching his Ngā Tapuae (level tuatahi) Te Reo wānanga, integrated with karakia and waiata. This will be continued on the Saturday morning before the AGM, and is likely to continue again after the AGM on the Saturday afternoon and on the Sunday morning.Poroporoaki will follow on the Sunday afternoon. Nau mai haere mai whānau. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn from one of our highly knowledgeable and esteemed kaumātua. Please contact Sue Nicoll at [email protected] or 021 113 3777 for more information or to register.

New membership applications
Our Auckland taurahere rōpū, Kāi/Ngāi Tahu Whānui ki Tāmaki Makaurau (Inc) would like to announce that we are now incorporated as a society, and warmly invite applications for membership from all those of Ngāi Tahu (and Ngāti Māmoe, Waitaha) descent living in and around the greater Auckland region, who may not yet be registered with us as a taurahere rōpū. Becoming a registered society is a significant milestone and is a tribute to the hard work of all those involved, and those who have supported our mahi from afar. Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou katoa.

Committee members of our rōpū gather every second month to review items and plan for upcoming events and all members are welcome. The executive committee meet in between each of these meetings. This is an exciting time for us with various events, hui and wānanga coming up – and as always, we are really keen to have as many whānau involved as possible. We welcome your contributions and feedback on what we do, and how we do it. So come on whānau, get involved. Mauri ora.


Ngāi Tahu ki Te Matau a Mauī

Ngā mate
We acknowledge the passing of our Ngāi Tahu whanaunga, Daniel Wakefield Snr (Wekepiri whānau), George Flood, Mrs Natalie Hawkins (Tini whānau) and Damian Rapana Williams (Moa whānau). Moe mai rā, moe mai rā, moe mai i tō moenga roa.

Ngāi Tahu Migration stories and Waiata
On the strength of our first wānanga, we carried on with our kaupapa of whanaungatanga and held another at EIT Te Manga Māori, Te Whanganui o Ōrotu (Napier). Back in the day Ōrotu was a principal chief of Ahuriri (Napier), and was the father of Whatumamoe, whose descendants were later to become the Ngāti Māmoe of Banks Peninsula.

We had a successful turnout of Ngāi Tahu whānau whānui who came to learn the waiata – Manu Tiria, Ka Haea Te Ata and Ka Kitea – and to share their stories of their Ngāi Tahu grandparents. Photographs and whakapapa held us all in good stead over the two-day wānanga, with wonderful manaaki from our ringawera, Mrs Beverley Akurangi and whānau.

Once again we were fortunate to have the gracious Arapata Reuben from Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu whakapapa unit. There was never a dull moment, as whānau kept him busy with questions and queries, an overview of the 1848 Blue Book and whānau whakapapa stories. Kia mau te wehi taku whanaunga a Arapata. Mihi ora, mihi mahana ki a koe.

Last but not least, we thank the Ngāi Tahu ki Te Matau a Māui whānau whānui, our hard working steering group (Bruce Wakefield, Koro Te Whaiti, Thelma Manaena, Beverley and Zayana Akurangi), the Ngāi Tahu Fund and Whetu Moataane for their awhi (support) of our taurahere. Nō reira, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa.

Areas of Interest
From these wānanga, our whānau identified three areas of interest (along with our whakapapa and migration stories), that we will be focusing on over the next months. These areas are rangatahi/tamariki activities, te reo wānanga and waiata/kapa haka. If any whānau with strengths in these areas – or any other area under our taurahere kaupapa – are keen to run a wānanga, please contact me on 022 392 7929 or 06 211 0943 to leave a message. Nā Thelma Manaena.


Ngāi Tahu ki Taranaki

Ngā mate
Ngā mihi nui ki ngā whanaunga Kāi Tahu.
My husband, Patrick Kume Hina of Ngā Rauru descent, sadly passed away in Hospice Whanganui on the 22 May 2013.

My husband was my biggest supporter and he was instrumental in helping me when I started the Ngāi Tahu ki Taranaki Waitangi Day event in 2009, and in making possible every Waitangi Day celebration after.

He worked tirelessly during those Waitangi Day events at Ashley Park, Waitōtara. He helped with cooking the hāngī, with security, setting up the tents, posting the signs around the area, welcoming the manuhiri and always making everyone smile. At the end of the events, he tidied up every single piece of paper on the ground and he removed all rubbish. He made the events work for everyone who attended. ( I also thank Ngāi Tahu for financial support received for staging our Waitangi Day events).

My husband was my backbone and I miss him so much. Patrick was in the New Zealand Army for 19 years. His regiment number was AT34022 and he was in 5WWCT Battalion. L/CPL. Nā Virginia Hina.

Patrick Kume Hina.

Patrick Kume Hina.

Virginia and her late husband, Patrick.

Virginia and her late husband, Patrick.

Kāi Tahu ki Whakatāne

On July 27 we combined our annual general meeting with our first birthday. The evening started with Hori Kawau and Grenville Ham keeping us entertained with their awesome voices. We then held our annual general meeting and chairperson, Oriwia Rehu- Murchie, secretary, Pauline Cottrell and treasurer, Sandra Maaka Ham gave their yearly reports.

New nominations for the committee included Tui and Horomona Tau, Philip Kemp and Sarah Walker; and committee members standing down were Marie Hannah and Joslyn Cameron. We voted in and welcomed our new chairman, Philip Kemp, and Sandra and Pauline remained as treasurer and secretary for another year.

Our light meal turned into a banquet in true Kāi Tahu fashion. We ended the evening with Horomona and Don cutting the cake while the rest of us sang happy birthday. It was a very successful evening with a good turnout. Our committee is now planning our next major hui on 24-25 August, to be held at Pukeko Marae, Poroporo. The kaupapa will be pounamu.

Hori Kawau and Grenville Ham our musical entertainment for the evening.

Hori Kawau and Grenville Ham our musical entertainment for the evening.

From left, Kay King, Tui Tau, Oriwia Rehu-Murchie and Dawn Potter.

From left, Kay King, Tui Tau, Oriwia Rehu-Murchie and Dawn Potter.

Kai time after our annual general meeting.

Kai time after our annual general meeting.

From left, Don Parkinson, Louis Mei, Philip Kemp and Buck Mei.

From left, Don Parkinson, Louis Mei, Philip Kemp and Buck Mei.

Don Parkinson and Horomona Tau cutting our 1st birthday cake while celebrating their own birthdays.

Don Parkinson and Horomona Tau cutting our 1st birthday cake while celebrating their own birthdays.

Our efficient young helpers Ben, Annelise and Leilani Cottrell.

Our efficient young helpers Ben, Annelise and Leilani Cottrell.

Kāi Tahu Ki Waikato

Kingitanga Day 2013
Kāi Tahu Ki Waikato are thrilled that Tā Mark Solomon is coming to the Waikato as a keynote speaker for the Waikato University Kingitanga Day celebrations for 2013. We encourage as many of our whānau to attend as possible.

The event will be staged at the University of Waikato on Thursday 12 September, 8am-6pm. Further details about the activities that will run on campus as part of the day will be available closer to the date on http://www.waikato.ac.nz/events/kingitanga

A night with Ngāi Tahu
The night before the Kingitanga celebrations, we are having our own celebration of Ngāitahutanga, so come and join us for a night to remember – a night of whānau, friends, food, whakapapa and film.
We have Tā Mark Solomon and Whakapapa Unit kaumātua Terry Ryan, as our guest speakers and we are showing the documentary, “Pounamu the Stone in our Bones.”

We are also encouraging Kāi Tahu artists to showcase their work on the night, so if you are interested in this contact Jane on 0212220191. This event is being held 11 September at 6.30pm –10pm, at the Creative Waikato Exhibition room, Alexandra Street, Hamilton. And we need you to book as numbers are limited. You can do this by emailing us at [email protected] or by ringing Wendy on 07 8248340. Bookings need to be done by 6 September.

Ngāi Tahu ki Tauranga Moana

At our June hui we honoured and celebrated Tā Mark Solomon’s knighthood with a specially-iced cake. Congratulations Tā Mark, ka mau te wehi.

At the June hui, committee member, Anna Were, spoke about the te reo classes she has been attending, and how she and her husband Alec incorporate their lessons in everyday situations.

Next meeting
The next bimonthly Ngāi Tahu ki Tauranga Moana hui will be held at Tauranga Boys’ College wharenui on Sunday, 20 October at 1pm. A venue for our 1 December hui has yet to be finalised.

Fred Newton, Midge Hanrahan and Laurie Loper cutting a very special cake at our June hui.

Fred Newton, Midge Hanrahan and Laurie Loper cutting a very special cake at our June hui.

Committee member Anna Were spoke at our June hui.

Committee member Anna Were spoke at our June hui.

Ngāi Tahu ki Ōtaki

E ngā uri o Tahu, tēnā tātou.
Ahakoa te makariri o Maruaroa, o Toru, o Whā i tēnei te wā o te Matariki, he mihi mahana ki a tātou katoa huri noa i te motu.

Next hui
Our next hui will be held on 14 July.
Kaupapa: Whakanui i a Matariki mā te kai tahi i a tātou hua māra kai.

Celebrating Matariki with the produce from our own gardens.

Matariki ahunga nui
The Pleiades when many mounds were heaped up.
Kia tū mai a Matariki kua ahuahua te whenua kia rite ai mō te ono kūmara.

The season of Pleiades is the time that many mounds should be heaped up in preparation for kūmara planting.
(Source: www.kōrero.māori.nz – Matariki booklet 2010) – Aoraki Matatū.


Ngāi Tahu ki Tāmaki Makaurau

On May 25-26 we had the pleasure of hearing Raina and Doc Ferris share their vast knowledge with us at our Mana Wahine and Mana Tane Wānanga. The weather was not the best – a bit chilly and wet – but we hardly noticed given the interesting topics discussed.

The whanaungatanga had the warmth and wairua surrounding us all in the very special wharenui, which depicted all our tūpuna.

Those who attended received much knowledge and support from our wonderful facilitators and many of our whānau would like Raina and Department of Conservation to facilitate more of these wānanga for us.

Ronald Kerle (known as Bones to many of us) and June Rissetto have just celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. A great afternoon was had by all, with many guests coming from far and wide. Many old friends and new friends came to wish them well on reaching this milestone.

Coming up is the Hui-ā-Tau, 25-27 October. Make sure you have this in your diaries We’re looking forward to seeing you all there.

Ngai Tahu ki Tamakimakaurau


Kāi Tahu ki Tauranga Moana

Congratulations
Proud dad Mark Raines attended the graduation of his son Buck from the Porirua Police College at the end of last year. Mark and Buck whakapapa to Te Ngāi Tūāhuriri. Mark is a committee member of the local rōpū. Buck is now working in Rotorua. Ngāi Tahu ki Tauranga Moana wish Buck all the best in his job within Ngā Pirihimana o Aotearoa.

Mark Raines (right) and his son Buck.

Mark Raines (right) and his son Buck.

Chance meeting
It’s a small world out there. Our secretary Kim Ellison was visiting Rarotonga and went along to the Te Punanga Nui Saturday morning market where she bumped into Ngāi Tahu Iwi Communications Advisor, Whetu Moataane, who just happened to be visiting Rarotonga at the same time. You never know where and when you will meet up with other Ngāi Tahu whānau.

Hui
Ngāi Tahu ki Tauranga Moana bi-montly hui will be held at Tauranga Boys’ College wharenui at 1pm on the following Sundays: 18 August, 20 October and 1 December.

Ngāi Tahu ki Tai Tokerau

Ngā mate
It is with great sadness that Ngāi Tahu ki Tai Tokerau learnt of the tragic death of David John Orbell on 4 May.

David was one of the staunchest and proudest supporters of Ngāi Tahu in the north – always the first to signal his attendance at a hui, always the first to arrive loaded with bins of fish, and always keen to ensure his children knew of their whakapapa links to Moeraki and Te Waipounamu. David was to have celebrated his 60th birthday and 20th anniversary with his wife, Katherine later this year. He was laid to rest on Tuesday 7 May in Patau Urupā near his home in Waimahana.

Always a free-spirited warrior and never afraid of danger, David tragically died from smoke inhalation after fighting a fire at his home the previous week.
He will be missed and remembered always by his lovely wife Katherine and beautiful children Fauna, Tarawai, Leder-Rae, Davis, Tai, Tiaki and Tui and wider whānau at both ends of the motu.

Nō reira, e te Rangatira, David, haere hoki koe ki te hunga-tapu i runga rawa, i raro i te manaakitanga o tō mātou matua-nui-i-te-rangi, ā te wā, ka tūtaki anō tātou.
Haere, haere, haere i runga i tōu waka rangimārie.

Nā Janet Hetaraka.


Ngāi Tahu ki Tauranga Moana

A good attendance at our April annual general meeting witnessed rapid democracy in action as virtually all the executive and committee, who had served us so well in the past year, were confirmed to carry on for another year. Ngāi Tahu ki Tauranga Moana will be well served for the current term. However, the challenge to make our taurahere group much more a vehicle for Ngāi Tahutanga and whanaungatanga remains. (Details of the annual general meeting have been circulated by email, along with Huey Rurehe’s 2012/13 chair’s report).

With the formalities taken care of, we were treated to another demonstration of the talent that exists amongst the 700 or so Ngāi Tahu whānau resident in our rohe. On this occasion it was Frank Te Mihinui Kawe, son of Pōua Brian and Tāua Janice Kawe, who demonstrated his talents. As a knowledgeable captain, he had one heck of a story to recount about waka voyaging in the Pacific. He gave us an impressive power point presentation about voyaging history – much of it modern.

Frank was the skipper of the canoe, Te Matau a Māui, which was one of seven waka that made the 32,000km journey from New Zealand to San Diego recently, taking in Hawaii, Tahiti, the Solomon Islands, and other places. Not to forget the important reconnection the crews made with the people of Rapanui (Easter Island). For the record, three others with Ngāi Tahu connections were involved – our Tauranga captain, Jack Thatcher and two wāhine, Kate Souness (Te Ngāi Tūāhuriri) being one of them.

The latest long voyage was about rekindling Pacific relationships and fulfilling Hekenukumai Puhipi’s (Hector Busby) dream of the acknowledged tohunga of voyaging and waka building; and keeping waka-building craftsmanship, sailing skills and culture alive within the Pacific region. It was also about raising awareness of the problems facing the ocean by putting the focus on things like acidification, dead zones and noise pollution, and the affect they all have on marine life.

Frank told us that, on the waka, they had no running water or fossil fuel burning engines, and they used natural gas for cooking. Solar power was used for energy and the crew navigated by the stars, the ocean currents and the feel of the waka transmitted through the soles of sensitive feet. We were not allowed to ask about toileting arrangements.

He also told us about a few of the scary moments – like the time a carved pōhatu, one of three donated as protection for the waka, went overboard when a rogue wave struck unexpectedly.

On the whole though, the double-hulled waka proved eminently seaworthy. So much so, their performance gives credence to the idea that we of the modern era have long underestimated the capabilities of our early sailing ancestors.

Frank’s stories would likely inspire many rangatahi to go voyaging. Though one old sea dog, Uncle Joe Briggs, when asked if he’d go, replied with: “Only with my own cabin and all mod cons.’’

If you would like to know more about these inspiring sea voyages, I would recommend seeking more information via Google. A film crew also took the journey and recorded the whole project. A film, Our Blue Canoe, will appear later this year – keep an eye out for it. Nā Laurie Loper.

Uncle Joe Briggs, Brian Stephenson, Doug Baker, guest speaker Frank Kawe, chair Huey Rurehe at April AGM.

Midge Hanrahan and Auntie Jan Kawe.

Alec Were and Shonamarie O’Brien enjoying the afternoon hui for Ngāi Tahu ki Tauranga Moana.


Ngāi Tahu ki Tāmaki Makaurau

Congratulations
Congratulations to Paora Edwards for completing and passing his last year in Business Administration. Paora is now studying Human Resources at Auckland University. A big thank you to Ngāi Tahu for their financial support.

News roundup
Just to let you know our Papa Bones is on the mend slowly.

We had our first committee meeting for the year and have organised our annual general meeting. We will have the results of the election in the next pānui.

Please book the last weekend in October for our Hui-ā-Tau. Healthy Living is the theme again this year and we will have healers booked. Come and take advantage of their skills. As usual, we will also have the Whakapapa Unit, Whai Rawa and more waiata. The best part is the whakawhanaungatanga throughout the weekend.

Nā Sue Nicoll.

New sculpture
On 8 April, Papa Kukupa Tirikatene and Papa Bones went to the installation, blessing and cutting of the ribbon for a piece of Lonnie Hutchinson’s artwork at Lake Rotoroa, in Hamilton. Lonnie is of Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Kuri, Samoan and European descent. She sent pictures of her work to Papa Kukupa for naming and he chose ‘Te Waharoa ki te ao Mārama,’ which is the entrance way to the world of enlightenment. It’s an awesome piece of work. Lonnie talks about her own work here:

The concept for this work is my response to the history of Lake Rotoroa in Hamilton and its significance to tangata whenua in the past, now and in the future. The lake was once a prime resource of food and materials and with sustained conservation, care and nurture this will continue. The kōwhaiwhai design is my interpretation of the mangō-pare (hammer head shark) and is often referred to as a symbol of strength and perseverance. Of never giving up. Related to my signature concertina cut-out works in black builder’s paper, the form of this work is taken from my builder’s paper model that is literally a twist and bends on a closed concertina that opens down the diagonal shaft and the vertical upright. The form becomes a waharoa or gateway that acts as a threshold that leads into a public recreational space. The kōwhaiwhai fronds fold up and out giving a sense of flourishing energy.

Lonnie is a distinguished multi-media, visual and installation artist, who exhibits throughout Australasia, and in international group shows, most recently in the touring exhibition Unnerved: The New Zealand Project, at Queensland Art Gallery, Brisbane; and at the National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne Australia 2010/2011.
Links to Lonnie’s work www.lonniehutchinson.com www.jonathansmartgallery.com

Kukupa Tirikatene turns the first turf for the installation of the new sculpture by Lonnie Hutchison.

A side view of the new sculpture.

Lonnie Hutchison’s new sculptural work.


Ngāi Tahu ki Te Tairawhiti

Book review
I’m reading this book. I pick it up and open it on any page and read with great satisfaction. Val Mete, who tells me she can’t write, has written this amazing account of growing up a Chatham Islander. She talks mostly about whānau. As she talks, you get a picture of the economic backdrop, the physical environment and the island values but most of all you get a whole picture of whakapapa and whānau.

As I read, I can almost taste the kai Val is describing. It’s all about pictures in your mind and tastes in your mouth; and it’s all in words. There are recipes based on the island’s crayfish, pāua, kina and blue cod. She tells us how to improvise while maintaining knowledge of the medicinal benefits of everything on the land, or in the sea.

The Chathams are New Zealand’s most easterly region and include eleven islands (only two of which are inhabited), lying 800 kilometres east of Christchurch.

Valerie Hoana Mete was born at Waitangi in 1938, of Moriori descent. She is from the Preece whānau. She married a Mete and these days lives under the mantle of the Rakaipaaka people at Nuhaka. Val is in our Ngāi Tahu ki te Tairawhiti rōpū and she is going to be our next guest speaker.

Get this book and read it. Val’s photos show island life from the 1930s to the 1980s – everything from horse-drawn mail carts to horse racing and the early days of the crayfish industry. You’ll also be licking your chops as you re-live Val’s tales of preparing and eating blind eels with her Nana. She is one heck of a writer who can persuade you that blind eels are ‘sweet stuff.’ You can buy the book at www.IslandMoonlight.com. Read it. You will love it.

Nā Mere Pohatu.

Valerie Hoana Mete and Mere Pohatu (right) Tairawhiti.


Ngāi Tahu ki Te Whanganui-ā-Tara

E aku rakatira, tēnei te mihi maioha ki a koutou e noho tata ana ki te kāika, tēnā koutou. Ki a mātou kā taura here i Te Whanganui-ā-Tara e kaingākau nui ana ki ngā whakamārama mō ngā kaupapa o Ngāi Tahu, tēnā tātou katoa.

Ngāi Tahu ki Te Whanganui-ā-Tara is an informal group of interested tribal members who reside in Wellington and surrounding districts. Our main purpose is whakawhanaukataka – meeting whānau from our hapū and iwi and building a network in Wellington.

While many of us remain connected to our hapū, much can be gained by getting together to find out about opportunities through Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, and to learn waiata so that we can participate in tribal events in Wellington.

Ngāi Tahu whānui came together in December last year to celebrate the festive season and spend a relaxing afternoon of activities with our tamariki – fun in the sun with kai. Thanks to Teone Sciascia and Whetu Moataane for coming along and providing an update on Whai Rawa, Aoraki Bound and other Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu news and opportunities. Thanks also to Whaea Carol Reihana for sharing your community networks in Paekākāriki, with us.

We are looking forward to being more active this year so Ngāi Tahu ki Te Whanganui-ā-Tara are looking for volunteers to help organise and co-ordinate events. Please contact Angela Wallace ([email protected]) if you are interested in helping out with activities, or if you want to be added to the email group.


Kāi Tahu ki Tauranga Moana

Rare kākāriki released
On 5 April our Ngāi Tahu Department of Conservation Officer, John Heaphy invited our committee member Annis Somerville to accompany him and helicopter pilot, Glenn Oliff to fly to Tuhua for the special task of releasing twelve orange-fronted kākāriki. Annis and John flew from Tauranga to Rotorua to meet the plane from Christchurch and collect the special cargo. After a quick trip across the ocean, they landed in the Tuhua crater and released the birds in the nearby bush. These birds have a high risk of extinction, so our local Ngāi Tahu group is privileged to be part of their preservation. Our group took part in the initial bird release, which took place on Tuhua, with a pōwhiri, two years ago.

We are grateful for John’s willingness to include us in his special venture. For Annis it was a magical trip never to be forgotten. Thank you John and good luck to all the little kākāriki which have made the journey up north.

John Heaphy and Annis Sommerville release kākāriki on Tuhua.

John Heaphy and Annis Sommerville, ready for take-off.

Ngāi Tahu ki Tāmaki Makaurau

It is with a heavy heart that I announce the sudden passing of Peter Plumb’s beloved partner Cindy Cross. It was an honour to have known such an amazing lady with an amazing voice. You will be sadly missed at our Ngāi Tahu gatherings and forever in our thoughts. To Peter, we express our deepest sympathy and we are with you always, especially during this difficult time. Arohanui, your Ngāi Tahu ki Tāmaki Makaurau whānau.

On a happier note, we celebrated another great Waitangi Day celebration here in Tāmaki. There were many new faces this year, although many of the older faces were missing. Clayton made the big move back to Te Waipounamu the weekend before. We missed you and your whānau Clayton. It was great to have the Waikato whānau with us this year and we look forward to seeing more of them in the future.

We had bouncy castles for the tamariki, a boxing ring for the rangatahi, and Peter Plumb’s live band with music for everyone. Brian How was there promoting and supporting the 28th Māori Battalion. Vicky was in charge of pony rides for the tamariki, and Sue led the weaving.

This year with the Tāmaki-wide fire ban we were unable to put on the usual hāngī, so instead we had a spit roast. A big thank you to both David Tikao and Arapata Reuben for coming along and promoting Whai Rawa and whakapapa, and speaking with whānau. We look forward to seeing you all again next year.


Ngāi Tahu ki Horowhenua

We’re still meeting every second Sunday of the month at Tū Roa kōhanga, 11am, with a shared kai after the hui. There are plenty of things planned this year for our rōpū, including mahi toi (raranga and kōwhaiwhai), reo wānaka and learning new waiata. Nō reira nau mai, hara mai whānauka mā. Below are photos of whānau at our February hui.

Donna and Gael with mokopuna, Amiria.

Ropine and Raiha Cook.

Kura Reo 2013
E hari ana, e koa ana ki te haere ki te Kura Reo ki Arowhenua i te Iwa o te tau nei. Ko mātou tērā ko Manawanui, ko Kiritiaho, aku piki kōtuku, e rere atu ki Te Waka o Aoraki ki te whākaihia tērā kai reka, arā ko te reo. Ka mihi ake rā ki kā rika, me kā waewae o ‘Kā Manukura’, o ‘Kotahi Mano Kāika’, nā koutou mātou i tautoko, i āwhina kia tae pai atu ki te whare rā, ki Te Hapa o Niu Tireni. Koutou mā o te hau kāika, kā mokopuna o Te Rehe, e whakapau kaha ana ki te manaaki i kā whānau o te Kura Reo, ka nui rā te mihi. Tae noa ki kā kaiako, kā poutokomanawa o te iwi, e hāpaitia ana tō tātou reo o Kāi Tahu i te ao, i te pō, nei rā te mihi ki a koutou. Ka kite mātou o Kāi Tahu ki Ōtaki i a koutou ā tērā tau!
Arohanui nā,

Emma, Manawanui, Kiritiaho.

Christmas Party 2012
Our whānau Christmas party seems a long time ago but looking back on the photos reminds us of a fun time with lots of tamariki, swimming, kai and Hana Koko to top it off – kei whea mai, kei whea atu i ēnei mahi mō te whakawhānaukataka.

Carmen Carkeek and pēpi.

Raureka Cook and pēpi.


Ngāi Tahu ki te Matau a Māui

Ngā mihi o te wā ki a koutou katoa ngā tini mata o Ngāi Tahu, kia tau ngā manaakitanga a Te Mea Ngaro ki runga i a mātou. Mauri ora ki a tātou!

Greetings to all and I hope everyone is well. Here in the Hawke’s Bay kai is plentiful, especially in the apple department, as well as onions and pumpkins. Our Ngāi Tahu ki Te Matau a Māui have been meeting regularly since our meeting in September.

We have changed our name from Ngāi Tahu ki Kahungunu to Ngāi Tahu ki Te Matau a Māui to better reflect our region and our identity.

We intend to start our year off with an overnight waiata and history wānanga on 29-30 June to be held at the EIT marae in Taradale. More details will follow. Any inquiries please contact: Koro Te Whaiti (022) 329 9706, Thelma Manaena (06) 211 0943 or Zayana Akurangi @ [email protected]

Finally, it is with regret that we advise of the passing of two of our Ngāi Tahu whānau from the Akurangi and Wakefield families – nō reira e ngā manukura, haere kōrua, haere, haere, haere atu rā i runga i te rangimārie me te aroha, koutou ki a koutou te hunga mate, tātou ki tātou te hunga ora ngā waihotanga a rātau mā.

Mā te Atua tātou e manaki, e tiaki, tēnā tātou katoa.


Kāi Tahu ki Tauranga Moana

There was only a small gathering of whānau for our bi-monthly hui. Our committee member Michael Bosman gave a very personal account of his return journey to Ōtautahi and the post-quake devastation. It was also a photo journey, a message of hope and a message of joy, all rolled into one.

Michael Bosman giving presentation to rōpū at the February Ngāi Tahu ki Tauranga Moana hui.

He noted a positive start to the rebuild. He was pleased to see Johnson’s Grocers, his favourite store, albeit operating out of a container. He found walking around the city an eerie experience, hearing birds chirping, heavy machinery and sometimes just silence.

Pou outside Christchurch City Council, photo taken by Michael.

He went to Tuahiwi on 1 December for the opening of the new marae – Maahunui II. There were around 1,500 people at this wonderful hui. Uncle Rik Tau spoke on the history of “Maahunui” or the “Hall” as it is known. It is expected the new hall will have at least 200 years of life in it. There was a presentation of a beautiful pounamu taonga, which took three people to lift.

The last part of Michael’s presentation focussed on Hakopa Te Ata O Tū, one of Michael’s ancestors. A portrait of Hakopa was done by Gottfried Lindauer – see page 59 of Michael King’s book “Māori.” Google has quite a bit on him too. And look out for the upcoming six-part television programme on the paintings of Gottfried Lindauer on Māori Television.

Michael then discussed a very old, small diary written by Thomas Eustace Green (Tame Eutahi Kirini), also one of Michael’s ancestors. Through his investigations Michael found it was held in the Macmillan Brown Library at the University of Canterbury. While in Christchurch, he met with Te Maire Tau, Associate Professor of Māori Studies at the Ngāi Tahu Research Centre at the University of Canterbury, and had the opportunity to view this special piece of family history and taonga.

Pounamu taonga at marae opening, Tuahiwi.

Michael has now been offered an opportunity to do his Masters in History through the Ngāi Tahu Research Centre. He is excited about this opportunity to research Thomas Eustace Green’s diaries, where he documented his life in colonial New Zealand.

This is a good example of how gems of whakapapa and history come to light when we take the trouble to do some digging. Our chair, Huey Rurehe, thanked Michael and wished him well in searching for more information on Thomas Green.

Nā Kim Ellison and Laurie Loper.


Ngāi Tahu ki Waikato

Congratulations
After three years of study Madia Diamond graduated from Waiariki Polytechnic (Rotorua) with a Bachelor in Early Childhood. The Diamond whānau gathered in Rotorua to celebrate with Madia. Madia was assisted in her studies with a Ngāi Tahu grant each year and also received the Teach NZ grant in her final year. She is the oldest of four children and chose to study at Waiariki in Rotorua.

She has now moved back to her home town of Ngaruawahia and is working in Hamilton at Central Childcare Centre and loving every moment.

Left to right: Wendy, Madia, Rebecca and Nathan Diamond.

Maaki Tuatini attends Te Matatini
One of our members, Maaki Tuatini, recently attended Te Matatini 2013, the biggest kapa haka event in the world. She shares her experience in Rotorua, and her pride and excitement in Ngāi Tahu hosting the next event in 2015. The biggest kapa haka event in the world is held every two years and Te Arawa hosted Te Matatini 2013.

My whānau and I were so proud to go and support all our Waitaha teams, Te Ahikōmau a Hamoterangi, Ngā Manu a Tane and Te Kotahitanga, with hundreds of other Ngāi Tahu whānau. Hanging out and catching up with all our Ngāi Tahu whānau was a buzz. Eating, talking and watching kapa haka in hot sun was an experience and we armed ourselves with water sprays, fans, umbrellas, beach chairs big blue tarpaulins, sun block, water and food.

We were at the gate 6.30am each day for the 7am opening, hoping to claim a little bit of grass in front of stage. That was all part of the fun.

On Saturday we all stood in silence for a minute to remember the Christchurch earthquake. That was a moving experience with thousands of people standing all around you.

On Sunday, the top nine kapa haka groups battled it out onstage, to find the overall winners: Te Toa Whakaihuwaka: Waka Huia runner-up: Te Whānau-a- Apanui third equal: Tū Te Manawa Maurea, Te Iti Kahurangi and Whangara Mai Tawhiti. Congratulations to all the 41 teams that took part.

Before the last karakia and the presentation of awards to winning teams, Te Arawa handed over the mauri to Ngāi Tahu, who will host the next Te Matatini in 2015. Our tāua and pōua were well represented and members of our Waitaha kapa haka teams received the mauri with pride and honour.

Now we’re looking forward to supporting Te Matatini 2015 in Christchurch.

My whānau will be up and ready to do it all over again – to enjoy all the fun, sun and sound of the greatest kapa haka teams in the world. Bring it on Ngāi Tahu whānau.

Ngā mihi
Maaki Tuatini (Ngāi Te Ruahikihiki).

Ngā Manu a Tane.

Mirimiri and raranga wānanga
We’ll be holding a mirimiri and raranga workshop in Hamilton on Saturday 20 April from 9am to 4pm, *(or later if wairua directs).

We hope to have several kaimirimiri/massage therapists who will come to further their knowledge in the art of mirimiri under the instruction of Nephi Skipwith, a tohunga in the healing arts.

We are seeking an expression of interest from those working or practising in the healing arts, (physio, herbal medicine/rongoā, massage/mirimiri, chiropractor and so on), who wish to participate in this training. Please contact Moana Lousi for more information on 04 858 4911, 021 110 2163 or email: [email protected] and we will place you on our list.

For those wishing to receive mirimiri, we will run a walk-in-clinic, so you won’t need to make a booking. Please feel free to bring a friend, or someone you know, who might be in need of a good mirimiri.

Nephi is a qualified social worker and counsellor. He has worked in marae-based health clinics providing mirimiri / romiromi, rongoā and counselling for many years.
He is the kaumātua for Massey University School of Psychology, and is currently the Senior Taurawhiri for Waitemata District Health Board, Whiti Maurea/Māori Mental Health and Addictions Service.

In all areas of his life Nephi applies traditional interventions as his primary tool for working with people who experience dysfunctions of the being. Nephi has worked for many years advocating, advocating, sharing and applying Māori health philosophies that underpin our models of practice.

Nephi Skipwith (Te Arawa, Tainui, Kāi Tahu, Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngā Puhi) and Sandra Skipwith (Ngāti Manuhiri, Ngāti Wai, Ngāti Whātua and Waikato).

Kāi Tahu ki Waikato

We finished our year off with a whānau picnic at the Te Rapa Pools in Hamilton. We are planning more events this year and have set dates for regular waiata sessions. Join us at our waiata practice sessions and get-togethers, which are generally held on the first Sunday of each month from 5pm-6.30pm. The sessions are currently being held at the Ngāruawāhia Community House, 13 Galileo Street, but we are also looking for a Hamilton venue to alternate hui so more whānau can get involved.

The next session is on 3 March and the dates for the rest of the year are below.

7 April, 5 May, 9 June, 7 July, 4 August
1 September , 6 October, 3 November and 1 December.

We will be advertising events as we plan for them, and invite ideas for new activities from whānau in the area. We are also keen to include stories about whānau living in Waikato – you don’t want to see the same old faces all the time! If you have written something, have a celebration, birth, wedding achievement and so on you would like to share, you can email us at our new [email protected].

Janola Boy

Who am I? Am I Pākehā or am I Māori? If I am Māori why am I such a whitey? These are the questions me and four generations, maybe more, of my family have been asking themselves.

I am a young Ngāi Tahu man, about to become a father. I actually always knew I was Māori. My mum made sure of that. She has always been staunchly proud of her whakapapa from both our Ngāi Tahu and Ngāti Toa sides, even if she didn’t always know all the details.

As a child and teenager I liked the idea of my Māori ‘blood’. That’s what I used to say when I was called a Pākehā or worse by my browner contemporaries. “I’ve got Māori blood!” I would insist.

I was on the right track but slightly missing the point. It is not about how much ‘blood’ I have flowing through my veins. It’s about who you identify with. One question I have come to hate is the old, “Oh you’re Māori!? You don’t look it. How much Māori blood do you have in you?”

It annoys me now. I choose to believe that if you are Māori you are Māori, not a half-cast, not five sixteenths. Just Māori.

My tāua and pōua knew what that was like, to have your identity questioned. My mum has lived in the same shoes. My brother and I know the occupation well – especially growing up in that Māori stronghold, Ngāruawāhia.

Like many New Zealanders my whānau is a pack of mongrels. And like many Ngāi Tahu we lost some of our mana to disenfranchisement and colonisation. But it’s starting to come back.

My tāua and pōua, Ron and Phyllis Stevens, and my mum Jane, have spent 35 years working to regain my family’s mana and restore the knowledge of our Ngāi Tahu whakapapa through their own engagement and commitment to te ao Māori.

They have helped rebuild the connections between extended whānau, they found and re-established the links to our tūpuna, our kaitiakitanga to the whenua that belongs to our whānau. Through their efforts our whānau have regained their tūrangawaewae. It was tāua and pōua’s life’s work. They were humble folk who worked hard for our people and never asked for anything.

Their untold story is like so many of our kuia and kaumātua. They gave me the strength to know that if you have a whakapapa and you have a commitment to your whānau, hapū and iwi you are Māori. That is a taonga.

Now it’s my turn. With the whānau in tow and years of research to sift through, I have made a commitment to use my journalism background to sculpt a book about the lengthy quest to rebuild the past of our whānau and define its future. I reckon it’s a story that will resonate with many of you.

I couldn’t have agreed to this a year ago. I didn’t truly know what their journey meant, why it was so vital to them. I didn’t realise how much it meant until I went overseas.

Walking down the London streets, I felt alienated from my own culture. I wished I knew more about my whakapapa and had got my tā moko done before I left, so I could carry the evidence of my ancestry with me wherever I travelled.

But it wasn’t until I found out my partner Georgie was hapū with our first pēpi that I started to think about it seriously. We had to come home. I realised that I was extremely grateful that Georgie was also Māori, Ngāti Tūwharetoa, and we were both able to give the gift of our whakapapa to our unborn child.

I started contemplating tradition and decided I wanted to give my pēpi a Māori name, like my parents had given me. That way he or she would carry the truth with them wherever they go despite the pale skin.

That’s the gift my grandparents have given me and their great-grandchild. My pēpi will grow up Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Toa and Tūwharetoa iwi. The legacy, the inheritance bequeathed to my child from tāua and pōua is our whakapapa. And no one can ever take that away.

Nā Tony Stevens.


Kāi Tahu ki Tauranga Moana

By Laurie Loper

In spacious Kulim Park, on the inner harbour shore, a gathering of Ngāi Tahu whānau braved the warm but at times blustery conditions to mark with a picnic, the end of the year activities for Ngāi Tahu ki Tauranga Moana. Kulim was dotted about with groups and families enjoying the chance to begin the seasonal kick back and to catch up. Kaumātua to pēpi, our rōpū had all age groups represented with the young more prevalent. Once word got round, the gathering was added to by cheeky sparrows and just as cheeky tarapunga, the raucous voiced red-billed gull, both well practised in swooping in to sample any unprotected kai.

Fun times, Ngāi Tahu ki Tauranga Moana Christmas barbecue.

Whānau enjoying the picnic at Kulim Park, Tauranga.

Informality being the kaupapa, conversation was the main activity. A right smorgasbord of topics came up as you would expect from our Ngāi Tahu whānau, including; hearing about the voyage of the two waka to Rapanui, Jack Thatcher being interviewed by Radio NZ on board one of the waka as it reached Rapanui, Winston Peter’s return to the parliamentary scene, America’s part in the Palestine situation and what it means for world peace, praise for the choice of picnic venue, discussion about the future of our rōpū.

Front; Alec Were and Brian and Margaret Stephenson.

Arana Kamo-Watson and his friend enjoying the kai.

It was heartening to see plenty of young tamariki present, signifying there’s a healthy future for the rōpū, provided ways of sustaining their interest can be found. The numbers present necessitated a separate lolly scramble for the big-ies and the little-ies. Space-cramped city kids got a chance to gallop around and thereby feel the freedom, an experience all too rare in our increasingly crowded urban life style. Cameras were busy and the photos are available on our Facebook page (Ngāi Tahu ki Tauranga Moana).

Chefs of the day – Cameron and Alec Were and Uncle Joe Briggs.

The Darmody whānau with Annis Somerville.

Chefs aplenty manned the BBQ, producing plenty of sausages (made by a Ngāi Tahu butcher), the fruits of their labours finding picnickers’ throats, none finding a tarapunga’s red beak. Not a day for swimming nor for beach fossicking – tide being at the full – but a day producing tired kids and satisfaction.

Kāi Tahu ki Tāmaki Makaurau

A first time for Tāmaki Makaurau as a taurahere rōpū to attend a hui in Te Waipoumanu. All arriving on different days at different times, but gathering together for the weekend. What a group. For some it was their first time in Ōtautahi. All had a wonderful time, meeting whānau, some for a first time and making connections, finding whakapapa and history about whānau. An exciting time. For those of us who had been to other hui, it was a time of catching up with those from the past.

Having a discussion over lunch on Sunday we all felt the effort of coming was worthwhile, and are all keen to go home and start planning and fundraising to come to the next hui. We even work towards bringing a small kapa haka team with us, possibly a combined team with Kirikiriroa taurahere rōpu.

It is definitely only the beginning of these hui for us. Congratulations to those who worked hard to bring this event together and worked throughout the weekend. What an awesome team effort. And a huge thank you for making us feel very welcome.

Left to right; Maha, Peter, Mama, Bones, Sue, Jane (Kirikiriroa), Rosie’s Mum, Riki, Jacqueline, and Jules from Tamaki Makaurau.

Whānau having lunch on Sunday.

Thalia with Papa Bones.

Weaving workshop with Sue Nicoll.

Ngāi Tahu ki Horowhenua

E mihi ake nei ki a koutou ngā uri o Tahu Pōtiki!

Ngāi Tahu Hui-ā-Iwi

Ko tēnei te mihi maioha ki Te Taumutu Rūnanga, nā koutou te Hui-ā-Iwi i whakahaere kia whakatairangahia te Kāi Tahutaka me ōna āhuatanga tini. Kua whāngaihia ngā taha e whā , kua manaakitia te katoa, tamariki mai, pakeke mai, kaumātua mai. Kei te mihi.
What a fabulous celebration of Kāi Tahutaka!

The weather was perfect, the kai was delicious, the concert and kapa haka performances were brilliant and the tamariki activities kept all the mokopuna occupied and happy! The creative workshops for the adults provided an opportunity to learn some new skills and as always, the open forum was informative and entertaining. The stalls had something for everyone and the many kaiāwhina with a smile on their faces and their distinctive tee-shirts were everywhere making sure that everything ran smoothly.

Ka tau kē ngā mahi katoa!

Tui nō Ōtepoti with Ropina and Amiria.

Ngāi Tahu Property Water.

Kāi Tahu ki Queensland

Te Kupeka a Tahu
Brisbane, QLD

We had our first Kāi Tahu whakawhanaukataka day on Saturday 17 November in Nerang on the Gold Coast. We had a fantastic morning making whānau connections and talking about our photos and whakapapa. After lunch we had a Kāi Tahu history lesson facilitated by our awesome in-house whaea Manawaroa Rimene. As a collective and in line with our newly acquired knowledge, we agreed to change the spelling of our rōpū name. We will now be known as Te Kupeka a Tahu. After a long but inspiring day, we agreed to meet again in February so watch this space whānau! All enquiries can be made via email to [email protected] also check out our Facebook page – Te Kupeka a Tahu.

Ngā mihi
Vicky Va’a.

Christine and Manawaroa Rimene.

Kāi Tahu ki Tauranga Moana

The year is almost over and we the committee have seen some changes since our annual general meeting (AGM). We started the year led by our chair of more than five years, Annis Somerville. We are privileged to have had Annis lead us through the years since becoming an incorporated society. This year’s AGM saw us move forward with a new chair, Huey Rurehe, who has been leading us on a new journey as the leader of our committee. A big thanks to Annis and Huey for your commitment to ensuring our local rōpū runs smoothly.

On the right is a list of bi-monthly hui for 2013. Please diary these dates in your calendar for next year. We look forward to another successful year.

Ngāi Tahu ki Tauranga Moana, bimonthly Hui 2013

Venue: Tauranga Boys College Wharenui, 1pm
Sunday:
17 February
14 April (AGM)
16 June
18 August
20 October
1 December.

Ngā mihi o te Kirihimete me TeTau Hou.

Kāi Tahu ki Waikato

We came back from the Hui-ā-Iwi buzzing! It was a feast of friends, food and whānau, taonga of all sorts, people, pounamu and performance.
Our tamariki and kaumātua were right in the middle of all the action, there was something for everybody. Just being there was awesome, reconnecting, making plans, catching up with the news and views, visiting old haunts, making new friends and enjoying the divine kai.

If you missed out this year start making plans for the next one!!

Our rōpū enjoying kai.

Our rōpū with members from the Tāmaki Makaurau taurahere group.

Kāi Tahu ki Tāmaki Makaurau

Kāi Tahu whānau ki Tāmaki Makaurau Hui-ā-Tau 2011

Another successful Hui-ā-Tau was held the weekend of 26-28 October. A big thank you from the committee to all those who had a part in making it a success. Thank you to our whānau from Te Waipounamu for coming and sharing with us; Andrew from Whai Rawa, Kirsty with matua Terry from the Whakapapa Unit. Our thoughts were with Kirsty as she travelled back after receiving some very sad news. Not forgetting Puamiria and Whetu’s practice of Manu Tiria. We are slowly getting there. Maha shared his artwork with us all and Jonny provided outdoor activities for everyone, especially the children. Again I had the opportunity to work with the young ones making putiputi. Gabriel came along to do diabetes and gout screening, a programme that is being run for the Otago University.

Jonny with ngā tamariki.

Whakawhanaunga time Friday evening.

Maha did painting with the tamariki and resin taonga making with the adults and rangatahi.

Jonny with the artwork created by ngā tamariki.

Maha talking about his artwork on Saturday evening.

Brian How spoke about the process of becoming an incorporated society, and where we are at. We needed to have whānau support to adopt the constitution in its draft form and send off to the incorporated societies. A historical moment for Kāi Tahu ki Tāmaki Makaurau. To the ringawera and helpers, they deserve a great big thank you for the wonderful healthy meals they provided throughout the weekend. Without them a hui is never complete as feeding the manuhiri and whānau is the most important part of any hui.

There were many new faces and many of the regulars missing. This gave everyone time to catch up with each other and get to know the new people who attended this year.

I had the privilege to drive Tā Tipene O’Regan, Mark Solomon, and Whaea Ranui to a farewell function at Paeroa, at Te Pae o Hauraki Marae, on Saturday 3 November.

A group of country music folk who came to share with us, singing waiaita tawhito, accompanied with ukulele.

What an awesome day, hearing so much history and whakapapa from these knowledgeable people. Some of us are looking forward to going to Ōtautahi for Hui-ā-Iwi.

Nā Sue Nicoll.


Ngāi Tahu ki Whakatāne

The Whakatāne sun shone its usual fashion on our first Whakapapa hui at Ngāti Pukeko Marae in Poroporo on 6 and 7 October. We were welcomed and made to feel very much home by Bunty and Jo Mason.

A big thank you to the expertise of Terry Ryan on whakapapa and stories of tūpuna and Joseph Hullen’s historical input on hapū and tūpuna. They also stayed up till the early hours of Sunday morning and identified participants’ whānau and hapū links. It was exciting to discover the close whānau, hapū links that we did not know existed before the hui. Also it enabled us to fill in our individual pepeha, our mauka, awa, hapū and tūpuna.

“We could have stayed and listened for a whole week, what a wealth of knowledge Terry has which he shares so willingly.”

The whole weekend was about whanaungatanga, in the whare, the kitchen, learning waiata and mōteatea with Robyn Ciaociao-Parkinson, kanikani zumba style with Kathrine and raranga made by Alice Otimi, with some of our wahine modelling the headwear.

A group photo taken at the completion of the hui.

Tītī is a delicacy seldom enjoyed by our rōpu so that was a special treat to finish the weekend with.

Sandra Maaka-Ham in foreground and Annelise Cottrell in the backgound modelling Alice’s creations.

A group photo of our models left to right: Tui Tau, Sandra Maaka-Ham, Paige Walker-Watson, Annelise Cottrell, Oriwia Rehu-Murchie and Roseanne Jones.


Ngāi Tahu ki Tauranga Moana

Ngāi Tahu ki Tauranga Moana Hīkoi to Tāmaki Makaurau

By Cherie Semeri

In August, our chairperson Huey Rurehe, and committee member Cherie Semeri had the privilege of traveling to Auckland to meet up with our kaumātua, Uncle Jo Briggs and Auntie Janice Kawe and her husband Ngāti Ranginui chair Brian Kawe. Brian’s contribution to the whaikōrero at Ōrakei was appreciated. It was significant for us to represent Ngāi Tahu ki Tauranga Moana as Uncle Joe’s daughter Awhina’s husband, Jack Thatcher was one of the waka captains. Along with whānau from Ōtautahi, taurahere groups from Waikato and Tāmaki Makaurau, we joined the group in support of the waka tapu (sacred canoe) launch held on Ōrakei Marae.

Throught this experience we learned protocol regarding the gifting of the pounamu that was being presented on behalf of Ngāi Tahu. Ensuring they had been blessed (which Uncle Brian Kawe did at our bi-montlhy hui) but also naming each pounamu before it was presented to the crew. Thank you to Ranui Ngarimu and Puamiria Parata-Goodall for ensuring that these things were not missed.

The hand-over of one of the pounamu was undertaken by Aurere Thatcher, Uncle Joe’s moko, who was named after the waka ‘Te Aurere’. It was an honour to have Uncle Kukupa Tirikatene speak on behalf of Ngāi Tahu and always an honour and privilege to sit with Uncle Terry Ryan and hear history and stories of those that have gone before us.

For our representatives of the local Tauranga Moana rōpū, being a part of these significant events encourages us to continue our journey in learning about being Ngāi Tahu.

One of the pounamu presented to the waka crew.

Uncle Kukupa Tirikatene and Uncle Terry Ryan.

Whetu Moataane, Uncle Joe, Frankie Te Kani, Uncle Brian and Auntie Jan Kawe.


Kāi Tahu ki Waikato

Taiaroa’s will power overcomes medical setback.

Taiaroa Witako Te Reimana Tuatini-Love is our little chief who is now seven. He is a boy who lives a medically, challenging and complex life. Early in his life he was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and global development delay. During those early years Taiaroa was manageable for us as his parents and whānau.

But numerous medical dilemmas with unknown causes and then many new procedures arose for us. These medical interventions came with a new language, system, hospital protocols and the like. This was the beginning of educating ourselves and setting up our lives for our son’s medical needs.

We are Taiaroa’s full time caregivers, this is our world. Taiaroa has had numerous hospital admissions, outpatient appointments, surgeries, medical tests, and equipment assigned to him. Also we have met many doctors, specialists, nurses and other community services through this journey.

The familiar hospital procedures have become normal routine (his papa knows the best hospital car parks and cafes).

In 2009 we left Christchurch and moved to Hamilton for Taiaroa’s medical dilemmas. Waikato has been a blessing in disguise. We have a good setup for Taiaroa. He started school at Hamilton North Primary in 2010. This was a major milestone for us, his parents, to let our boy go and grow.

Our lives were running quite smoothly. Taiaroa was healthy and well. Just minor setbacks with on going chest infections which was manageable. Taiaroa was meeting small milestones at school. Life was grand.

However, in November 2011, Taiaroa experienced a major medical setback. All medical personal were very concerned for our son’s life. Uncertainty and heartbreak overwhelmed the whānau. He was rushed to Starship Hospital, where he spent three months. Since then he has been in hospital every month for short and long admissions in Waikato and Starship.

Proud parents Maaki Tuatini and Tipi Love with Taiaroa.

The neurology team at Starship told us that Taiaroa has been misdiagnosed and doesn’t have cerebral palsy as previously stated. Taiaroa is a medical mystery and under medical investigation regarding his diagnosis and today we still wait for an outcome.

Our lives have changed and Taiaroa’s day to day care is intense and a challenge at times. But life carries on and we just get on with it. Our boy continues to amazes us every day. We love you son.

Ko Taiaroa Tuatini-Love ahau
Nō Ngāi Te Ruahikihiki
Nō Ngāti Moki
Nō Ngāti Uenuku
Nō Ngāti Hauiti ki rata
Nō Ngāti Wai ki Whananaki
Nō Te Ati Awa
Tūturu whakamaua kia tina, tina
Hui e ! Taiki e!

Maaki Tuatini.


Ngāi Tahu ki Horowhenua

Ko tēnei te whānau o Ngāi Tahu ki Horowhenua e mihi ake nei ki a koutou.

He pēpi

Charlie and Jorjia are happy to announce the arrival of baby Jax Huia Wilson, a little brother to Khana. Jax was born on 3 November and is mokopuna number eleven for Taua Mariana (Bluff whānau).

Tāua Mariana with baby Jax Huia Wilson.

Te Wheariki Willow May is the first child of Kim (Anglem whānau) and Kirsty, born on 6 October at Wellington Hospital. She made an early entry into the world and was a precious little bundle at just 1.63kg. E ngā kuru pounamu, nau mai ki te whānau o Ngai Tahu ki Ōtaki!

Kim and Kirsty with baby Te Wheariki Willow.

Hari huri tau!

At our November hui we celebrated the birthdays of two of our special Tāua – Ropine and Amiria have the same birth date and it just happened to be the day of our hui. He mihi āroha ki a kōrua.

Facebook

If you’re not already friends with us on Facebook – Ngāi Tahu ki Horowhenua Ōtaki – check out our page and add us. It’s another way we can keep in touch with our whanauka in the rohe. Facebook, along with Te Pānui Rūnaka and emailing will ensure we stay in touch with everyone.

If you want to update your contact details, email: [email protected].