Pōwhiri for new Southland/Otago Police District Commander

The new Police District Commander Paul Basham was welcomed onto the marae on 28 February. It was heartening to hear the commander attempt so much of his speech in te reo Māori and we anticipate a strengthening of calibre and depth of leadership for Otago/Southland.

Pōwhiri for new Otago Police District Commander

Archaeological update

Local enthusiasts led by archaeologists Shar Briden (independent) and Rachel Wesley of Ōtākou have retrieved further historical finds at Papanui Inlet. The Papanui waka was recovered in October 2014 and many other artefacts have been found since 2007. Coastal erosion continues to reveal more relics. There are protections in this area to reduce vehicles and fossicking.

Summer Pops Tour

Our thanks go to the award-winning classic Māori show band, the Modern Māori Quartet for providing tickets for kaumātua to attend their Summer Pops show in the Dunedin. Together with the NZ Symphony Orchestra the MMQ sang their way through their ‘garage party’ demonstrating their wit and amazing harmonies. A great night, thank you Modern Māori Quartet.

Kia ora koutou whānau, ka mihi aroha ki a koutou katoa. Kā mihi o Te Tau Hou ki a koutou katoa. We wish you all the best for the New Year.

Rā whānau2
Wishing you a very happy birthday – Ngā mihi rā i tō rā whānau.

Ngā mate

Me ngā whakaaro, inoi aroha atu – with loving thoughts and prayers to those who have lost a love one at this time.

Kia ora koutou whānau, ka mihi aroha ki a koutou katoa. Kā mihi rā i tō rā whānau, e te tau; Kia rā pai tēnei mōu. Me kā whakaaro, inoi aroha atu. To whānau who have lost a loved one or attending unveilings, our loving thoughts and prayers are with you.

He pēpi

Our congratulations to whānau who have welcomed new pēpi into their whānau – awesome. Ka mihi nui me te aroha nui.

Ka rere kā tai o mihi ki a koutou katoa.

Whakataukī

‘Whatungarongaro te tangata, toitū te whenua’
As man disappears from site, the land remains.

Rā whānau o Toru/Hōngongoi

Rā whānau ki a koe.

Rūnanga general hui

The next rūnanga general hui will be held on the 11 September in Hakūiao at 10am.

Marae and hapū news

The new driveway is now completed. Please drive and park carefully while the surface is settling.

The new driveway to Hakuiao at Ōtākou Marae.

The new driveway to Hakuiao at Ōtākou Marae.

New staff

Staffing at Ōtākou office has gone through some changes in the last couple of months. Natalie Karaitiana is acting manager until the managerial role is appointed. Anne Robertson has been appointed Komiti Coordinator for six months and Kate Dempsey has resigned as cleaner and interim Wharekai Coordinator. She is now enjoying other employment on the peninsula. The rūnaka thanks Kate for her commitment to the manaaki of organisations during marae events. We welcome Ngaomi Taiaroa as the new cleaner and have a pool of whānau members who are familiar with the wharekai role, who will be caring for hui bookings until the wharekai role is appointed.

Change of address

Since the appointments ballot papers have been distributed, a number of members have contacted us to update their address details. Please contact the office any time to update your address and email details when you move.

Te Panui Rūnaka contributions

Ōtākou office welcomes your whānau news for inclusion in Te Pānui Rūnaka. Please send your achievements in sports, education, pēpi hou, memorials, kupu hou or anything else of community interest and photos to: [email protected]

Your photos must have captions and names of people in the photo. Thank you.

Kā mihi aroha ki a koutou katoa whānau mā.

Ka mihi aroha

E aroha nui atu ana ki a koutou i tēnei wā, our thoughts and deepest sympathy are with whānau at this time.
Mihi Poroporoaki to Matenga Taiaroa
Haere atu rā e te pōua ki tō tira tūpuna e kāpunipuni mai rā
He tamaiti koe nā Pukekura maunga, arā a Te Matenga, a Karetai e tāwhiri atu ki a koe
He tamaiti koe nā Hikaroaroa maunga, arā a Tame e pōwhiri atu ki a koe
He tamaiti koe nā Taranaki maunga, arā a Rāniera e toro atu ki a koe
ki ngā ringaringa o ō tūpuna
Me rere koe ki runga i ngā ngaru moana
Ārahina atu e te ringa aituā o Takaroa
Haere ki runga i tō waka
ki te pae tawhiti
Tāria nei kia tūtaki anō

Kupu hou

Taihoa – to hold off/wait/delay. ‘Taihoa e mahi tēnā mahi! – don’t do that yet!’

Growing leaders for tomorrow

Joe Parkinson (Korako Karetai and Mere Piro Harwood whānau) lead the whaikōrero to welcome representatives of the Education Review Office (ERO) to Portobello School recently. All of the students represented Portobello School in welcoming ERO, each of them did a karanga – it was beautiful and they did us proud.

Kaikaranga: Kiara Gray (Russell whānau) Ella McDonald (Taiaroa whānau) Ripeka Potiki (Potiki whānau) and Mihiata Wesley (Wesley whānau).

Kaikaranga: Kiara Gray (Russell whānau) Ella McDonald (Taiaroa whānau) Ripeka Potiki (Potiki whānau) and Mihiata Wesley (Wesley whānau).

Joe Parkinson welcoming ERO representatives.

Joe Parkinson welcoming ERO representatives.

Ōtākou website

Feel free to browse our website. Whānau wishing to book the marae for functions can do so online at: http://www.otakourunaka.co.nz

Ōtākou news for Te Pānui Rūnaka

Ōtākou office welcomes your whānau news to include in our pānui. Please send your news items and photos to: [email protected] Your photos must have captions and names of people in the photo. Thank you.

Ka mihi aroha

This year has already seen the passing of several kaumātua/loved ones and today as I write there is more sad news for whānau in Bluff. Those we remember include tangihanga held here at Ōtākou, Rāmarama Pratt, Rei Owens, Matenga Taiaroa and Jim Hanson.

Ōtākou whānau joined with Puketeraki to farewell Dorothy Te Mahana Walsh, with Ōtākou branch of Wātene Māori in support as well as the tangi of Matenga at Ōtākou. We have joined in spirit with our whānau for the memorial of all those who died in the earthquake especially our Kāi Tahu whānau in Ōtautahi on 22 February 2011.

Kei konā te aroha me te whakaaro, with love and deepest sympathy for all whānau during these difficult days.

Matenga Taiaroa 10 March 1934 – 25 February 2016.

Matenga Taiaroa 10 March 1934 – 25 February 2016.

Rāmarama Olivia Pratt (née Ellison), 12 June 1946 – 31 December 2015.

Rāmarama Olivia Pratt (née Ellison), 12 June 1946 – 31 December 2015.

Rei Olivia Atawhai Owens (née Taiaroa), 1 October 1932 – 1 February 2016.

Rei Olivia Atawhai Owens (née Taiaroa), 1 October 1932 – 1 February 2016.

Rā whānau

Kā mihi nui i tō rā whānau, wishing you many happy returns of the day.

News for Te Pānui Rūnaka

Ōtākou office welcomes your whānau or personal news for including in our pānui.

Please send your news items i.e. achievements in sports, education or anything else of community interest, pēpi hou, memorials, kupu hou and photos to: [email protected]

Your photos must have captions including the names of people in the photo. Thank you.

Kia ora whānau o Ngāi Tahu, kā mihi o te Tau Hou. Belated season’s greetings to you all.

Ngā mate

Kei konā kei a koutou kā whakaaro. Our thoughts are with you. May your heart be filled with wonderful memories of your loved one.

2He pēpi2
Kā mihi nui me te aroha ki kā pēpi hou. Welcome to all the Kāi Tahu summer babies.

Rā whānau

Kā mihi nui i tō rā whānau, wishing you many happy returns of the day.

Rerenga kupu

Kia ora anō whānau mā – Heads up everyone.

Kā mihi nui

Ōtākou extends our congratulations to Dr Rawiri Te Maire Tau on his appointment as the new Upoko mō te hapū o Ngāi Tūāhuriri.

Otago Harbour news

As we look out the window we watch the widening of the shipping channel in the Otago Harbour. The tug is bringing the excavator and barge to ‘the bend’ just off Te Rauone, Ōtākou.

Otago harbour

Book launch

The Ōtākou Māori Women’s Welfare League history book launch was held on Sunday 15 November 2015.

The branch members wish to congratulate author, Mere Montgomery for her mahi, and also wish to thank Ōtākou Rūnanga for their support over all the years the League has been operating including this function.
The League is also appreciative for the support of the Ngāi Tahu Fund via their sponsor, Moana Wesley and project leader, Natalie Karaitiana. Whakawhetai ki a koutou.

ng ta fund cmyk logo

Hākui exhibition opening

A very successful opening for the Hākui Exhibition was held on 19 November 2015, at the Otago Museum. The exhibition will run until May and we do hope whānau will be able to go and see the beautiful taoka on display.

Ōtākou website

Feel free to browse our website. Whānau wishing to book the marae for functions can do so online: http://www.otakourunaka.co.nz

Contributions to Te Pānui Rūnaka

Ōtākou office welcomes your whānau or personal news for inclusion in our pānui. Please send your news items ie. achievements in sports, education or anything else of community interest, pēpi hou, memorials, kupu hou and photos to: [email protected]. Your photos must have captions and names of people in the photo. Thank you.

Kia ora whānau o Ngāi Tahu, Otago Harbour has been glistening from the sun lately.

Ngā mate

God does not promise an easy life or skies always blue but he does promise his grace and the shadow of death to pass through.

Rā whānau

Being young is a privilege and being attractive is a genetic gift. Being cool, now that is all of you. Hari huritau ki a koe.

Rerenga kupu

Kei te aha koe? = What are you doing?

Ōtākou website

Feel free to browse our website. Whānau wishing to book the marae for functions can do so online at: http://www.otakourunaka.co.nz/#home-image

Member contributions

Our office welcomes your whānau or personal news for inclusion in our pānui. Please send your news items ie achievements in sports, education or anything else of hapū interest to: [email protected]

Kia ora whānau o Ngāi Tahu, a few lambs are now dotting around the hills and spring has sprung.

Ngā mate

“Like a bird singing in the rain, let grateful memories survive in time of sorrow,” – quote from Robert Louis Stevenson.

Rā whānau

Happy birthday to all those celebrating and keep on rockin.’

Rerenga kupu

Pēnā ka haere tonu, ā te wā ka taea, ka mau – You will get there if you just keep going.

Ōtākou website

Feel free to browse our website. Whānau wishing to book the marae for functions can do so online: http://www.otakourunaka.co.nz/#home-image

Pānui contributions

Ōtākou office welcomes your whānau or personal news for inclusion in our pānui. Please send your news items e.g. achievements in sports, education or anything else of community interest, pēpi hou, memorials, kupu hou and photos to [email protected]

Kia ora whānau o Ngāi Tahu, our tamariki are now back at school after having their mid year winter break. Functions continue on the marae, as does the road widening project.

Ngā mate

Our aroha goes to all whānau who have farewelled a loved one recently. May fond memories of your loved one bring you comfort during this sad time in your life. [Read more…]

Kā mihi aroha

Our aroha goes to all whānau who have recently farewelled a loved one. May your heart and soul find peace and comfort.

Rā whānau

Happy birthday to all our June babies – may you have confidence to face the challenges and opportunities ahead.

Kupu hou

Namunamuā – delicious flavour. I saw this one on the blackboard in the café at Te Whare o Te Waipounamu, 15 Show Place, Addington, Ōtautahi. Ka mau te wehi. [Read more…]

Kia ora whānau o Ngāi Tahu, the weeks have been pretty busy. Recently we hosted Ngā Ruahine from Taranaki, the Charter Hui and got stuck into our own strategic planning hui. Marae staff work hard to coordinate and attend these events and we would like to join our rūnanga chair, Donna Matahaere-Atariki, to express our thanks to hapū members who involve themselves, giving of their time and talents to help make these events sucessful.

Ka mihi aroha

Our aroha goes to all whānau who have farewelled a loved one recently. May you find peace to bring comfort and courage to face the days ahead. Cherish the loving memories forever and hold them in your hearts.

Rā whānau

May enthusiasm be your birthday gift.

Members news

The tītī season started with rough weather but it was good to hear that all our ‘birders’ from Ōtākou got away to the Tītī islands in the end. We trust that everyone was reunited with their gear and we are looking forward to their return.

The annual, Otago Peninsula Challenge took place on Sunday 3 May, at least one sore participant is hobbling around the marae but unfortunately there is no photo to show.

Future events

Hākui exhibition
Planning and preparation is also tracking along for the hākui exhibition. The opening will be held at the Otago Museum on 19 November and it will run for six months.

Hui-ā-Iwi 2015
Hui-ā-Iwi 2015 will be held in Dunedin city and starts on 20 November. Ōtākou member Kitty Brown is the events coordinator and planning is well underway and tracking along nicely.

Rūnaka website

Feel free to browse our website. Whānau wishing to book the marae for functions can do so online: http://www.otakourunaka.co.nz/#home-image.

Contributions

Ōtākou office welcomes your whānau or personal news for inclusion in our pānui. Please send your news items like achievements, he pēpi, memorials, kupu hou and photos to [email protected].

Kia ora koutou e te whānau, kā mihi aroha ki a koutou katoa.

Ngā mate

We would like to send aroha and sympathies to all our whānau near and far who have suffered the loss of a loved one recently. Kia kaha, kia toa kia manawanui. [Read more…]

Ngā mate

Our sympathies go to all whānau who have experienced the passing of a loved one over the Christmas/New Year season, including Beatrice McCormack. Betty’s whakapapa includes the Taituha/Karaitiana and Korako Karetai whānau of Ōtākou. She was the much-loved mother of Lass, Gerry and Mike, and Tāua to a number of mokopuna and had resided in Auckland for many years. [Read more…]

Mana Pounamu awards

He mihi nunui tēnei ki a Oliver Palmer-Hargreaves me Koreana Wesley-Evans. These two Ōtākou rakatahi were the recent recipients of Mana Pounamu awards. The awards aim to recognise achievements of Māori students within their schools and communities.

Conservation of a huia feather
Ōtākou has received advice about the conservation of a huia feather, a taonga object that is currently at our museum. This might be an opportunity for a Kāi Tahu, University of Otago student, to conduct a case study for a paper next year. If you are interested, please contact Natalie before 5 December, on 03 478 0352 or email [email protected]z.

Ngā mate

Kāore hoki te aroha i kaikinikini i au.
Ka timu te tai ki hea
Ki Ōtākou.
E rere atu ki te Aramoana
Tāria roa, tē pari mai.
I waiho mokemoke mai me he toroa tīkapa.
E hāroa e te Pūnui-o-toka
Tē hoki mai e.

We send aroha and sympathy to the Paerata and Langsbury whānau for the passing of Ginny Paerata. We also extend our aroha to all whānau across the motu who may be suffering a loss at this time.

Kia ora koutou e te whānau, kā mihi aroha ki a koutou katoa.
The sun is shining, the Otago Harbour is glistening but as I write this news has broken that there has been a shooting at Hakatere/Ashburton.One can only imagine the pain of sudden loss of a loved one and as this tragedy unfolds our heartfelt sympathies go out to those who are affected and are unknown to us at this moment. I hope they will find inner strength and comfort from family and friends so they are able to face the days ahead. [Read more…]

Launch of Te Pūtahitanga o Te Waipounamu

On 26 July, Ōtākou Marae hosted one of the several launches of Te Pūtahitanga o Te Waipounamu held throughout the motu.

We celebrated with a whānau day and a celebration of Māori Wardens in Dunedin. Te Rūnanga o Ōtākou is driving recruitment and establishment for a new branch of Māori Wardens, under the mana of the rūnanga, and were thrilled with 20 volunteers signing up on the day. [Read more…]

Waka unveiling

On 11 March, Whakatū Marae unveiled four new waka in a dawn ceremony at Tahunanui Beach, Nelson. About 70 people were at the ceremony for the marae’s waka fleet which has grown from two to six.

The four new waka are set to help promote Māori health in the region. The new waka, named Te Rotoiti, Te Rotoroa, Te Kenepuru and Te Tōtaranui, were blessed by Archdeacon Andy Joseph. Te Koara Harbourne (née Bragg) was present to unveil one of the waka along with the eldest of her great-grand-children Tea Ngawhika-Elliott. [Read more…]

Congratulations

Te Rūnanga ō Ōtākou would like to congratulate Ranui Ellison-Collins on being selected as one of two Dunedin rangatahi to be mentored by Dunedin’s mayor, David Cull as part of the Tuia Rangatahi Mentoring Programme.

Also, congratulations to our Wharekai co-ordinator, Nic Hedley (aka Nicki Noxious) on being selected to the Team NZ training squad for the Roller Derby World Cup being held in Texas in December 2014. [Read more…]