If we speak words of racism
Then what do we teach
When our young learn
To copy and imitate our speech

If we hide what’s unlovable
How can we face
What’s been hidden
When it’s brought into our space

If we spin on the spokes of judgement
Unable to detach
How will we know
On the inside what is a match

If we wear a mask of illusion
Then we aren’t really free
Covering our faults and flaws
Hoping no one can see

If we have painted on ears
And wish not to hear
And refuse to listen
Then how will we care

If we swim in the waters of stagnation
No movement or growth
How will we balance
If we don’t look at both

If we hear the unheard
And see the unseen
And feel the unfelt
We can touch in between

If we opened up
If we learn to extend
Then we wouldn’t have
To learn to pretend.

Well, as for our ‘hui weeks,’ all is good. We have dear old June’s Birthday and my moko David-Mark, who travelled down from Huntly with his family. So it will be a good two days celebrating. The next day will be a sad one for a whānau who has lost a loved one.

As this is written, today is all celebration at 233 Tuahiwi Road. Tents are going up, cars in and out, children’s toys all getting put up. So busy, a lovely day will be had by all.

My moko and moko-moko (Metapere and Manaaki) have arrived from over the ditch (Australia) for her Papa’s birthday and of course for my cousin Toko’s birthday next week. Now that is going to be one lovely weekend, what do you think Cousin Charlie, but never mind, I’ll do all the drinking for you and I, with the help of Meri Crofts.

Well let’s be serious, Ngawini has been suffering with a sore back, which has stopped her tasting wine – that’s for me again. Rex has gone up the line to Glentunnel I think, for another moko birthday, so him and his whānau are also away.

What did you all think about the Te Matatini hui?
Some great performers, but oh! The poi is so awesome and the formations are so neat. Well I will give more next time, here’s a little poem from someone getting old, which I think is very true

How we get older like dilapidated cars
If my body were a car
I would be thinking of trading it in
I’ve got dents and scratches in my finish
My headlights are out of focus
And it’s hard to see things close up
My tractions not as good as it once was
And it takes hours to reach my maximum speed
But the worst of it is that almost
Every time I sneeze, cough or splutter
My radiator leaks or my exhaust backfires.
It’s so true isn’t it!
So lots of love to all, see you next time, K.K.K xxx.

This is to give notice to all persons who descend from the original landowners of the Kaiapoi Māori Reserve 873, who therefore have the right to be buried in the Te Urutī Cemetery (section 101).

Due to the heavy use and uncoordinated activities of our urupā, please refer all questions over usage and burial to our newly nominated trustees via the office of Ngāi Tūāhuriri Rūnanga.

Meeting of owners and trustees

1906 Māori Land – Alton Block 4 Section 6
The purpose of this meeting is the election of new trustee’s and the proposed salvage of dead standing and windfall Rimu trees.

Date: 29 April 2017
Time: 1pm
Location: Kaiapoi Club Level 2 Room 3, 113 Raven Quay, Kaiapoi
Contact: Wiremu Hopkinson 03 3276621 or 0273659382

The launch brought whānau together from Arowhenua, Waihao, Moeraki, Rāpaki and Waitaha who travelled up from their hapū, I would like to extend my gratitude and aroha to you all for travelling so far. It was an absolute pleasure reconnecting with you and presenting you with your personally signed CD.

The re-connections of whānau links through Nā Te Ao was achieved by Sir Toby Curtis and Te Maire Tau kōrero, where they both intricately wove all the Ngāi Tahu whānui together, it was so lovely to hear the old familiar family names and to reminisce about the stories of the past. Nā Te Ao bought all those stories to life again with lots of laughter and nodding of heads, especially from our Aunty Sonni who graced us with her presence, not forgetting that she was the principal Tuahiwi performer who travelled to Te Arawa with her uncle Te Ari Pitama and taught them the four long poi, in exchange for a very popular iconic Te Arawa poi called ‘pākete whero’.

Our darling Aunty Pat was stunning and provided the matriarchal support that is so treasured by us all, she is always so lovingly dedicated to the true style of how ‘Tuahiwi do it!’, and you soon know if you’re not on the same page as her, an absolute taonga!

With the help of my Brennan whānau, Ko Tāne and Joan we managed to stay within the timeframes, all thanks to a ‘run-sheet’ which was the ‘star of the day’ and provided us with lots of joking and teasing. Once the CD was blessed by brother Pete, it was then launched by some of the original members of Pounamu Ngāi Tahu. Personally signed autographed CDs by myself, lots of photos, lots of hugs and kisses, CD playing in the background, then off we all headed for the kai. Thank you Joan and Ko Tāne for being such professionals and a well-oiled machine in the front of house! Then the orchestra and Maui Brennan started – A classical ensemble – cellist, violins, flutist, all introduced by Maui Brennan who played on his own keyboard and was accompanied by members of the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra – amazing music played during the hākari, concluding with the Brennan whānau waiata ‘ka kitea’.

Finally, a big thank you to Te Maire for your dedicated support to my Nā Te Ao, after the ‘penny-dropped’ your smile was priceless. To Aunty Sue and Uncle Albert thank you for all your unconditional support.

On behalf of Whetū Ariki Trust, I would like to thank you all and hope that you have all listened to your CD and are enjoying it. Ngā mihi, Timua.

Timua Brennan with Aunty Soni and her daughter Iola Bennett.

Timua Brennan with Ruth Jennings, graphic designer for the album.

Āpōtoro Takiwā Kereama Pene came from Tāmaki Makaurau to teach us about Tahu Pōtiki Wiremu Rātana and the Māramatanga. Āpōtoro Rehita Daniel Nehemia along with Te Whaea o te Katoa Reo members came as did the Heketari and Reo members from Rātana Pā.

We spent the whole weekend thoroughly enjoying ourselves, listening to the stories, history and prophesies of the Māngai in a two way processes of questions, answers and periodically some fierce debates. We also had the pleasure of listening to our reo members playing our favourite marches and absolutely loved singing our little hearts out to our Waiata Whakamoemiti! Awesome! Ōtautahi Māori Women’s Welfare League took care of our sustenance to the max, we thoroughly enjoyed all that wonderful kai that has led us to wanting more of the same, and then some!

To that end, we have leg-roped Āpōtoro Takiwā Kereama and whanaunga from Te Ōmeka Pā in Matamata to set up more wānanga for this year.

Here are the dates:

• May 12-14
  Pōwhiri 5pm – Te Tuahiwi Marae, 219 Tuahiwi Road Tuahiwi
• June 16-18
  Pōwhiri 5pm – Te Rehua Marae, 79 Springfield Road, Christchurch
• July 7-9
  Pōwhiri 5pm – Te Tuahiwi Marae, 219 Tuahiwi Road Tuahiwi
• August 11-13
  Pōwhiri 5pm – Te Tuahiwi Marae 219 Tuahiwi Rd Tuahiwi
• September 15-17
  TBC – Te Rehua Marae, 79 Springfield Road, Christchurch.

There are enough spaces for 21 students. All Pou (Āpōtoro Rehita, Āpōtoro Wairua, Ākonga, Āwhina, Rōpū Raupō, Kātipa, Te Reo, and Koea) will have first option. Thereafter, mōrehu and anyone else interested in learning or re-learning about our hāhi and māramatanga are encouraged to enrol. There are no study fees but two forms of identification are required. Adult learning only, there are100 study hours in five weekend wānanga. Piki te ora, piki te kaha me te māramatanga ki a tātou katoa. Aroha H Reriti-Crofts CBE JP Tiamana, Te Komiti Takiwā o Te Wai Waipounamu – whiti atu ki Wharekauri. aroharc@xtra.co.nz

Timua launched her CD recently, but she will tell you about it. It would be nice if you all wrote pānui to include in Te Pānui Rūnaka, it would save me plenty. So as the weather is blowing up a storm outside, I think that will be enough for now.

You have three chances in life.
Choices – you must make a choice
Chances – take a chance
Changes – to change your life.
Luv ya all, till next time. KKK.
Oh, cousin Charlie, I’m a year older now
(49 reversed, not bad eh).

Trinity is the mokopuna of Lesel Flutey and Robert Matiu and great-mokopuna of Arthur Flutey and the late Mania Flutey née Pitama.

Trinity’s whānau and friends are extremely proud of her Watch this space Ngāi Tahu whānui for one of Tuahiwi’s finest upcoming rangatahi achievers.

Trinity and her dad Jody Flutey.

Trinity at Canterbury softball tournament.

Timua launched her CD recently, but she will tell you about it. It would be nice if you all wrote pānui to include in Te Pānui Rūnaka, it would save me plenty.

So as the weather is blowing up a storm outside, I think that will be enough for now.
You have three chances in life.

Choices – you must make a choice
Chances – take a chance
Changes – to change your life.

Luv ya all, till next time. KKK.
Oh, cousin Charlie, I’m a year older now
(49 reversed, not bad eh).

At the wānanga you will learn about the history of Rātana, including the places Rātana visited in Te Waipounamu as well as the kaupapa of the Hāhi. Also for those who participate in whakamoemiti there will be training workshops available.

The wānanga will also provide attendees with the opportunity to share ideas and interact with one another.

We are looking to have numbers sorted as soon as possible so if you could please register your interest by joining our Facebook group: Te Hāhi Rātana ki Te Waipounamu, that would be great. The wānanga will start with a pōwhiri at 11am on Friday 9 December.

We’re hoping to find every mōrehu following Rātana Church, as well as anyone wishing to come along so that we have representation from across Te Waipounamu.

The facilitators for the wānanga will be Āpotoro Takiwa Kereama Pene of Auckland along with Āpotoro Rehita Daniel Nehemia.

If you would like more information please contact Aroha by email: aroharc@xtra.co.nz or text: 021 880 678. You can search for our group on Facebook:Te Haahi Ratana ki te Waipounamu.