We were privileged to have Dr Candy Cookson-Cox come and speak to us at our June hui. Dr Cookson (Te Arawa, Ngāi Tahu) consults to the Lakes District Health Board.

Dr Cookson has been involved in the health and education sector for over 30 years and is a renowned suicide researcher. Her research method facilitates review, reflection and restoration and is proving very successful.

Some of the key points she touched on in her presentation to our rōpū gave us all plenty to think about. She outlined that depression is not age, gender or race specific and everyone is impacted by it in some form. She believes shedding light on the topic and learning strategies and perspectives on this important issue can enable us to make a difference in our communities. [Read more…]

Below is the Ngāi Tahu ki Tauranga Moana hui for the remainder of 2016 — everyone is welcome, If you have a query, please contact Joe Briggs 07 578 5997 or email: [email protected]

Important dates

Bi-monthly Hui 2016
Tauranga Boys College Wharenui. Sunday – 1pm.

  • 7 August
  • 16 October
  • 4 December (venue and time to be announced).

June 19 hui

Kia ora whānau,
Dr Candy Cookson Cox is renowned for suicide research. She has explored suicide postvention, and support provided for the bereaved. Her research method facilitates review, reflection and restoration, and is getting results.

In her own words – “I would be honoured to come and speak to you about this deadly topic.” (Suicide and the associated characteristics depression and mental health). [Read more…]

Ngāi Tahu ki Tauranga Moana

June 19 hui
Kia ora whānau,
Dr Candy Cookson Cox is renowned for suicide research. She has explored suicide postvention, and support provided for the bereaved. Her research method facilitates review, reflection and restoration, and is getting results.

In her own words – “I would be honoured to come and speak to you about this deadly topic.” (Suicide and the associated characteristics depression and mental health).

We invite you to come and bring guests to listen to her. Depression is not age, gender or race specific and everyone is impacted by it in some form. So let’s shed some light on the topic, and learn some new strategies and perspectives to enable us to make a difference in our own community.

She comes highly regarded. “Dr Candy Cookson Cox is one of the best speakers I have ever had the pleasure to hear. She is an amazing lady. If you google her you will see her appear on a number of sites including in articles in the Rotorua Daily post.” Say’s Ngāi Tahu committee member Anna Were.

Please support us by coming to the meeting so we can continue to get speakers of a high calibre.

Tauranga Boys College Wharenui
Sunday 19 June at 1pm
Koha appreciated (bring a small plate for afternoon tea).

Important dates
Bi-monthly hui 2016
Tauranga Boys College Wharenui
Sunday – start time 1pm.

  • 19 June (as mentioned above)
  • 7 August
  • 16 October
  • 4 December (venue and time TBA).

Ngāi Tahu ki Tauranga Moana

Signing of the Deed – Maths Education Programme
A hui heralding hope of a new learning deal for all previously struggling primary students in Te Waipounamu took place in Tauranga on the evening of 24 February at the Mount Maunganui home of Uncle Hohepaturanga Briggs. The school that is leading the charge in this important development for the South Island is Shirley Primary in Christchurch.

Those attending the hui numbered 12 and were from Ōtautahi, Whanganui-a-Tara, Tāmaki Makaurau and not to forget the host rōpū from Tauranga Moana. The welcome was given by Hohepaturanga’s son-in-law, Jack Thatcher (the navigator), and Justin Tipa from Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu replied for the manuhiri.  Amongst the host rōpū, any sense of mystery as to the purpose of the hui disappeared the moment it became obvious that the main business was getting the Deed of Partnership signed.

This Deed is the legal means of ensuring the four partners involved in this Shirley Primary project: Ngāi Tahu, the Ministry of Education, Massey University and the family representative of the James Stewart Loper Bequest, Laurie Loper, each play their parts (as agreed) in the running of the project. Once Laurie and Uncle Hohepaturanga (as witness) had signed, only Massey University is left to sign.  There was a good vibe to the evening which was recorded photographically by the skilful David Copeland as part of the ‘evidence in action’ kaupapa that is increasingly being seen as a necessary part of the documentation of all Bobbie Maths projects.

So what, you might say.  What is all this really about anyway?  It’s about Bobbie Maths being an educational revolution. To call it that is no exaggeration. What else would you call a teaching approach that ensures every child learns as well as each other, and sees to it that none are left behind?  Every staff member at Shirley Primary is currently having their understanding of learning re-jigged, the shifts they need to make are huge but they are making them. The advent of this Bobbie Maths project in Christchurch has prompted the Ministry of Education (MoE) there to work with Ngāi Tahu in what they say is “a new way.” In Wellington, the MoE, never having had to deal with a bequest before, has had to formulate a legal way to deal with something new to its experience.

The resulting shifts involved may not seem large but measured against the MoE’s no-change persona, they are huge. Bobbie Maths is indeed the ideal revolution in that it is win-win for all involved. It has prised open the window of opportunity sufficient to give the promise that in the not too-distant future, all students will become very successful learners.
nā Laurie Loper.

Remaining hui for 2016

  • 19 June
  • 7 August
  • 16 October
  • 4 December (Venue and Time yet to be announced).

All welcome – enquiries to Uncle Joe Briggs:07 578 5997 or email: [email protected]

Left to right: Awhina Thatcher, Michaela Kamo, Huey Ruhere, Jack Thatcher, John Good, Hohepaturanga Briggs, Laurie Loper, Adrienne Alton-Lee, Justin Tipa, Andre Konia (seated right), and Jacqui Poutu.

Left to right: Awhina Thatcher, Michaela Kamo, Huey Ruhere, Jack Thatcher, John Good, Hohepaturanga Briggs, Laurie Loper, Adrienne Alton-Lee, Justin Tipa, Andre Konia (seated right), and Jacqui Poutu.

Ngāi Tahu ki Tauranga Moana

Bi monthly hui
On 21 February, we held our first hui for the year. We were blessed with fine weather and more than the usual number of new faces in what was a good turnout. With chairperson Huey Ruhere attending a tangi, Uncle Hohepaturunga Briggs deputised, ensuring a lively hui across all issues. The conversations over a cuppa afterwards were just as lively. [Read more…]

Successful education programme

It’s not every day that our taurahere group gets a chance to tautoko, let alone be involved with a nationally important education programme. Named Bobbie Maths, after its creator, Associate Professor Bobbie Hunter from Massey University, this uniquely New Zealand taonga is stirring interest around the globe.   [Read more…]

Ngā mate

Committee member and kaumātua of Ngāi Tahu ki Tauranga Moana, Uncle Joe Briggs reports on the recent passing of three Ngāi Tahu stalwarts.

Daniel Mason
Daniel Mason passed away on 17 August. Uncle Joe writes, “It is with regret (we report) the loss of one of our leaders from the Ngāi Tahu ki Tauranga Moana committee. Dan was present at the formation of the group and he was treasurer. His daughter, Parekotuku and my daughter, Awhina, instigated a raffle that put Ngāi Tahu ki Tauranga Moana on the map. Dan was a ‘Coaster’ from the Hokitika/Arahura area. In fact, he went to school with my brother, Gordon Tainui Briggs. Farewell Dan, condolences to your wife, Wirinia and whānau.” [Read more…]

Congratulations

Our kaumātua, Uncle Joe Brigg’s mokopuna graduated from Waikato University this year and he proudly accompanied her to her graduation.

Tēnā koutou katoa, ko Aurere Thatcher tāku ingoa, he uri tēnei nō te Moana o Tauranga. He hononga hoki tāku ki Ngāi Tahu, ki te hapū o Te Wheke. Nā reira, tēnei ka mihi.

In April this year, I received my Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in Māori media and communications. This was a three-year study programme through the University of Waikato. [Read more…]

June bi-monthly hui

On 14 June, an enthusiastic group of whānau attend our bi-monthly hui at Tauranga Boys’ College. Anna Were welcomed our guest speaker Guus Knopers from K9 Detection Services. Guus has lived in New Zealand for 29 years, where he started work as a regional council conservation employee.

Guus came along to tell us about his job and to give us an insight into dog detection work and what it entails. Amongst other organisations, the business contracts to the Department of Conservation, Internal Affairs, The New Zealand Police and Army. [Read more…]

Upcoming hui

Take a note of the remainder of hui dates that we have scheduled for the year. We hope to see our regulars and meet some new whānau.

Ngāi Tahu ki Tauranga Moana bi-monthly hui
These hui will be held at 1pm at the Tauranga Boys’ Collage wharenui (all except for December):

  • 14 June
  • 16 August
  • 18 October
  • 6 December (venue yet to be decided).

Upcoming hui

Take a note of the remainder of hui dates that we have scheduled for the year. We hope to see our regulars and meet some new whānau.

Ngāi Tahu ki Tauranga Moana bi-monthly hui
These hui will be held at 1pm at the Tauranga Boys’ Collage wharenui (all except for December):

  • 14 June
  • 16 August
  • 18 October
  • 6 December (venue yet to be decided).

Ngāi Tahu ki Waikato

Ngā mate
Nicholas Taiaroa Macpherson Stevens
26 April 1993–9 March 2015

Last month we farewelled Nicky, the youngest son of Jane Stevens, her partner Dave Macpherson and moko of Phyllis and Ron Stevens (Ōtākou).

Nicky had been an inpatient under the care of the Waikato DHB when he drowned in the Waikato River. [Read more…]

Bi-monthly hui

On Sunday,15 February we held our first hui for the year and a welcome from Anna Were. We were privileged to have one of our whānau members, John Heaphy come and speak to us about his job with the Department of Conservation (DoC), as conservation officer of protected species and islands.

John’s whakapapa is to the Acker whānau from Stewart Island and Ōtatara. He is an interesting speaker and his passion for his work is evident whenever we have the pleasure of catching up with him. [Read more…]

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.