Kāi Tahu ki Ōtaki me Horowhenua

E te iwi, tēnā tātou katoa, i tēnei te tīmataka o tō tātou hōtaka, Mātahi-ā-te-tau.

Upcoming hui
Our next hui is an evening waiata wānaka. Watch this space – mauri ora.


Ngāi Tahu ki Tauranga Moana

Annual general meeting
On 19 April, we held our annual general meeting at the Tauranga Boys’ College wharenui. This hui was characterised by a pleasing turn out and by the formal business being dealt with efficiently.

With nominations almost matching the positions to be filled, the need for voting was reduced. Some committee vacancies were filled from the floor.  Nobody had to be coerced to serve and the result ensured we preserved most of the experience and expertise that has been built up over time.

Those elected for a new term are as follows: chair, Huey Ruhere, secretary, Kim Ellison, treasurer, Michaela Kamo; committee members: Annis Somerville, Anna Were, Michael Bosman, Karen McFarlane and Amber McNicol.

Moreover the new committee has inherited the forward-looking and enthusiastic approach of the old committee.  Proof of what’s in store for us was in Anna Were’s run down on the quality of speakers that have been lined up for the balance of this year’s hui. More about this will be revealed in due course.

Chair Huey’s report on the previous year’s activities indicated just how diverse the range of mahi our group gets involved with. From matters mundane to matters major, should we care to do so, our rōpū has much to shout about as we endeavour to maintain and grow the connections we have with each other locally, with local iwi who host us in their midst, and with Ngāi Tahu whānui in Te Waipounamu.

One thing that had to be the subject of a vote was the special resolution to acclaim and retain our kaumātua Pōua, Joe Briggs and Tāua, Janice Kawe to assist the committee in the conduct of its affairs for a further three years. The necessary 75 percent needed was easily exceeded with the show of hands.

We were treated to two reviews of the experience of Te Matatini – Annis Somerville, who served as a volunteer and Huey a participating kapa haka performer. Both succeeded in bringing Te Matatini alive again, by kōrero and powerpoint, the majesty and power of the event for those not fortunate to be a witness of it first-hand.

We were proud when Uncle Joe pointed out that the mauri carried North by waka ‘Te Matau a Māui’ for the 2017 host Ngāti Kahungunu  was sourced from Tuhua (Mayor Island). It is a sizeable piece of obsidian  and it is one of two pieces Uncle Joe had been looking after prior to it being gifted.

It was a real privilege to have been able to witness their re-celebrations of Te Matatini. With the event growing in stature and the next venue being somewhat closer, no doubt many have already made the decision to attend the next one in person.

A feature of our hui is that we constantly attract new whānau. In April, we welcomed Shae Hartley and Kirsty and Maika Mason. Maika recently arrived from the West Coast to live in Tauranga Moana, and brought us news of his cousin Dan Mason. A banquet style cuppa tī and kai organised and prepared by Alec Were gave us all a chance to get to chat.

Vanessa Davy and Alec Were preparing kai for hui.

Vanessa Davy and Alec Were preparing kai for hui.

Committee member, Annis Somerville at Te Matatini with Tā Tipene O’Regan.

Committee member, Annis Somerville at Te Matatini with Tā Tipene O’Regan.

Whānau who attended our annual general meeting.

Whānau who attended our annual general meeting.