On Sunday 22 May, members of both Ōraka Aparima Rūnaka and Waihōpai Rūnaka assembled at Takutai o te Tītī Marae, Ōraka to ceremoniously welcome back ‘He taoka Pou Whenua’ to Murihiku.

The ‘Pou Whenua’ originally belonged to a tipuna who at the time (around 1840s) was chief at Oue. His name was Huruhuru, not to be confused with the tipuna known as Te Huruhuru (originally from Kaiapoi and lived in South Canterbury). [Read more…]

Kei aku rau rangatira, tēnā koutou katoa. On 3-6 June Puketeraki held its third annual taiaha wānanga. We had an awesome turnout with whānau from Milton, Wānaka, Ōāmaru, Ōtepoti and our local whānau. There are some photos and videos on the Kāti Huirapa Rūnaka Facebook page.

It was a blessing to have Tuari Dawson here to lead out on the wānanga. Tuari had us up every morning at 5.30am cleaning, exercising and training on the beach. Tuari is a great mentor and role model for these boys. We look forward to having him back next year. Ngā mihi nui ki ngā kaiāwhina, ki ngā ringawera, ki ngā whānau, tae noa atu rā ki a koe e te toa matarau Tuari. E kore e oti noa ngā mihi ki a koutou katoa. [Read more…]

Kāti Huirapa rūnaka is again hosting the annual taiaha wānanga from 3-6 June. The weekend involves haka, waiata, stories, exercise, whakawhanaungatanga and learning about the taiaha. The wānanga is for all males from young to old, and we encourage fathers to bring their sons.

For registration forms and further information please contact either Waiariki Parata-Taiapa 03 465 7300, email: [email protected], or Jake Matheson 03 465 7651, email: [email protected]

Registrations close 1 June (limited to 80 people).

Ngā mate

To whānau who have suffered a bereavement or sickness in their whānau – kia kaha, kia maia, kia manawanui. Within our immediate community, Lani Greene died recently as a result of a tragic accident south of Ōāmaru. Our thoughts go out to the Greene family as they come to terms with Lani’s passing.

Representative applications

Applications are invited from members of Kāti Huirapa Rūnaka ki Puketeraki for the positions of rūnaka representative and alternate representative to Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tāhu.

The position description and nomination form are available on request from the rūnaka office. Phone 03 465 7300 or download the form from the rūnaka website www.puketeraki.co.nz on the vacancies page.

The appointments committee are: Roger Wyeth, Tamatea Smith, Kiri Fraser, Khyla Russell and Lynette Carter.

The completed nomination form, along with a statutory declaration and information requested to support the nomination must be sent to: Appointments committee, Kāti Huirapa Rūnaka ki Puketeraki, 121 Grimness St, C/- Karitāne PDC, Karitāne 9440.

Applications are to arrive no later than 5pm on 9 October.

Exhibition opening

Kāti Huirapa Upoko, David Ellison, was the opening speaker at an exhibition of Sir F Truby King’s books at the University of Otago’s Hocken Library.

Sir Truby, famous for his championing of children’s health through the Plunket Society, was a long-time resident of Karitāne, having had a holiday house there. David, who had a personal relationship with Sir Truby through his father, Mutu (the first Plunket baby), spoke movingly of the admiration that the Ellison whānau had for Sir Truby’s work and for the man himself.

From left, Colin Ellison, Ros Ellison, Kate Pollock, David Ellison and Pam Hill at the exhibition opening.

From left, Colin Ellison, Ros Ellison, Kate Pollock, David Ellison and Pam Hill at the exhibition opening.

Hui-ā-Iwi 2015 update

We are still looking for energetic helpers from the 20-22 November in Dunedin to help us make Hui-ā-Iwi special.

Tasks will include setting up displays and performances, directing traffic, meet and greet, runners, and general hospitality. There will be no food preparation or cleaning up to be done.

We have places at Puketeraki Marae if you are coming from up north and need somewhere to stay. Please contact Justine at the office to let us know. There will be a kaumātua group staying for three nights but there is plenty of room for more, as long as we all respect our need to accommodate each other’s personal requirements. You will need to self-cater as our team will be at the Dunedin Town Hall for the duration of the event.

Taiaha wānaka

A taiaha wānaka was held at Puketeraki Marae from 31 July to 2 August.

Tamariki in the early stages of their performance at the taiaha wānaka.

Tamariki in the early stages of their performance at the taiaha wānaka.

Rongomaitawhiti Parata-Taiapa and Piripi Matthews talking to the young warriors.

Rongomaitawhiti Parata-Taiapa and Piripi Matthews talking to the young warriors.

Over Labour Weekend, a group of young men descended upon Puari Pā, Koukourārata, for the Te Tohu o Tū taiaha wānaka.

It was a four-day wānaka and the boys were taught karakia and history and they learnt the taiaha do’s and don’ts, and more importantly about whanaungatanga and kotahitanga. Ko au ko koe, ko koe ko au. Liam Dacombe, Hone Hurunui and Te Kaio Cranwell all enjoyed themselves. [Read more…]

On 12-14 September, Puketeraki Marae hosted its inaugural Mau Taiaha wānanga. Forty-five men of all ages gathered to learn the different aspects of the taiaha.

We were lucky to have had two of our senior tutors facilitate the wānanga and share their expertise. To conclude the wānanga, the boys put on a performance, which was followed by a prize-giving ceremony.

The next taiaha wānanga is scheduled for Labour Weekend at Taumutu. If you are interested in going, please contact Waiariki at [email protected] to register your interest. [Read more…]

The 25th anniversary of Tū Toka Tū Ariki rā Whānau taiaha wānanga will be held at Te Awhitu Estate at Taumutu from 17-21 April. This kaupapa nurtures the traditional practices under the sacred korowai ‘aukati.’ The wānanga are smoke, alcohol, drug and violence-free and they are focused on learning and celebrating who we are, in the purest and most practical form – without compromise.

Whakamana te whānau/whānau ora are at the forefront, promoting the epitome of humility and how it enriches, enhances and empowers one’s wisdom. Inspiring te iwi Māori to prolong and sustain life is the whāriki of the kaupapa, to prepare Tū Toka, Tū Ariki and Waitaha whānui to host Te Matatini 2015. [Read more…]

Taiaha wānanga changing lives

Over 70 young men gathered at Tuahiwi Marae recently for a taiaha wānanga run by Tū Toka Tū Ariki Trust.
A regular participant, Adrian Boardman (Ngāi Tahu – Irakehu), says the wānanga are the best thing youth and fathers can do.

“Being a good father is the most important job you can have. I’m a role model and I want to be the best I can be for my sons,” says Adrian.

He first attended the taiaha wānanga in October 2012 and the weekend at Tuahiwi was his fourth.
“They’ve completely changed my life. I was pretty much brought up the Pākehā way and I’ve been trying to find my Māori roots for some time. I saw my sons picking up Māori culture at school and that motivated me to begin my own journey.” [Read more…]