Arowhenua Māori School Camp
Tamariki from Arowhenua (Kura Kaupapa) School went on the Kaikōura Whale Watch during their school camp. They saw two sightings of sperm whale, dusky dolphins and marine birds. The tamariki also had turns sitting next to the captain and even had a turn on the microphone doing narration! In return the tamariki sang the crew songs and performed a haka.
Tamariki in Kaikōura in front of the whale watch boats.
Ashburton Intermediate School Camp at Arowhenua Marae
Ashburton Intermediate year seven classes came to Arowhenua Marae at the end of October for an overnight stay. The purpose of the visit was to learn more about Māori culture and protocol in an authentic context. Before the camp we learnt about the stages involved in a pōwhiri and how to write and say our own mihi.
We also learnt about rock art and went to the information centre in Timaru. We could then base our own rock art drawings on remembering how they were drawn hundreds of years ago. During this talk we were shown how to weave putiputi and the history of the area. The visit to the cave with authentic old rock art drawings was exciting and the importance of the need to preserve this was made clear. Sleeping at the marae with everyone in the same room was also a new experience and we had to be tolerant of each other. Teamwork was necessary to prepare for the hāngī and we all learnt how hāngī was prepared and cooked. The food from the hāngī was delicious and a surprise to some of us. We enjoyed making a whistle from clay and hearing about some of the old legends.
A warm thank you to Gwen and her staff for their efforts to ensure the camp ran smoothly and we hope other classes will be back in the future.
Carol Melrose (Ashburton Intermediate School).
Elections
Elections were held for the six vacancies on the executive of Te Rūnanga o Arowhenua Society Incorporated. The successful candidates were:
Chairman
John Henry.
Secretary
Lavinia Reihana Moe-Mate.
Executive members:
Suzy Waaka, Lara Reihana, Kari Moana Kururangi and Henare Manawatu.
Richard Hopkinson remains as treasurer. Congratulations to everyone on your appointments.
Te Rūnanga o Arowhenua Appointments Committee
Te Rūnanga Arowhenua Appointment Committee formally invites applications for the Te Rūnanga o Arowhenua Representative and Alternate Representative to Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu.
Te Rūnanga o Arowhenua Appointment Committee is responsible for appointing the Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu Representative and Alternate Representative positions in line with clause 16(2) (c) of Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Act 1996.
Applications open 26 November and close 5pm on 31 January next year.
For an application form, including eligibility criteria, please access via the website: www.ngaitahu.iwi.nz or call Te Rūnanga o Arowhenua Office Phone: 03 6159646 to request the forms by post.
D.J. Brooking, Chairperson
Te Rūnanga o Arowhenua Appointment Committee.