Kia ora whānau, the office and rūnaka has been busy over the last month preparing for the end of the financial year and the forthcoming elections for Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu representative and alternate positions. We have also had the upgrade to our computer systems. This upgrade links us fully to the Ngāi Tahu system and allows us to utilise technical support and gives access to many other services. Further to this, the strategic planning hui has been held and another successful Department of Conservation volunteer trip has been to Rarotoka.

Rā whānau

What a delight for Renna Guise from Dunedin to have her great grandchildren Henrietta and William Beer, who were born in Perth, with her on her 85th birthday. Renna has five great grandchildren all of whom live in Perth.

Dr Damien Bell with his three grandchildren, Henrietta, Katharina and William.

On the seat is Evie Capolicchio and Katharina Bell. Renna is holding Henrietta and William Bell and Isla Capoliccio.

Little Miss Farmer, Bella Mainland. Jayne and Gavin McPherson’s granddaughter and Royd and Pam Crengle’s great granddaughter.

Kī ō rahi and kapa haka

Takutai o Te Tītī Marae was the place to be on Sunday 15 July. Ki o rahi was in full swing in the marae grounds and tamariki and pakeke ran around with boundless enthusiasm. Meanwhile in the bay a southern right whale and her calf were putting on a great show for the assembled crowd that grew by the minute as word got out about their presence. What an awesome place we live in!!

The kī ō rahi and kapa haka projects are fully operational and are having good attendances. If you wish to take part in these great fun activities please contact the office.

Check out our new Facebook page and be sure to post pictures and update us on any activities you may be participating in.

Colac Bay (Ōraka) the birth place of a southern right whale.

The southern right whale was on the brink of extinction but a new born calf is calling Colac Bay home!

Department of Conservation biodiversity rangers said they saw the southern right whale cow and her new born calf in Colac Bay.

The calf was born earlier in July and it is believed it could be the first southern right whale born in New Zealand since whaling finished.

‘They were basically hunted to extinction and it’s pretty special it’s chosen Colac Bay.’ The very small calf was approx. 4 metres long and weighed about 950kg, adult southern right whales grow to about 18 metres. Whale babies need bonding time to suckle freely, and often, without disturbance. They need to learn to swim and breathe. The cow and calf were seen from the beach with binoculars.

Southern right whale and Takutai o Te Tītī Marae in the background.

Charlene McLenaghan.

Poi making

Charlene McLenaghan, (mokopuna of Nancy and Fergus Barton, Ōraka) spent some time learning how to make a poi, an activity she shared with her fellow teacher trainees and students in the schools. A job well done Charlene.

Principals hui at Takutai

Dr Jane Kitson addressed the principals at a hui Ōraka Aparima hosted at Takutai recently. She informed them about the many learning opportunities the rūnaka can provide for students.

Stewart Bull contributed a Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu perspective, as well as his strong belief in kaitiakitaka. We were given very positive feedback from the principals on the whole day’s facilitation.

Dr Jane Kitson.

Stewart Bull.

Mātauraka hui (Te Kete o Aoraki)

Henare Manawatu met us at Takutai, to help with our education project and then picked up a tea towel – felt right at home, and wiped the dishes.

Stewart working with his brothers Tamatea and Kevin in the kitchen. Lynley was chief ringawera and had nothing but good comments on the ability of these ‘kaimahi’.

Henare didn’t know that there would be quite so many dishes or people at Takutai that day.
The Department of Conservation volunteers arrived in the morning, worked all day at Takutai, then headed off to Rarotoka for a few days – more mahi.

Henare Manawatu.

Stewart was outside helping with the construction of our new tunnel house. All went well and the tunnel house withstood a heck of a blow we had a week later.

Department of Conservation workers and Stewart Bull making sense of the plans.

Some of the DOC Volunteers potting, re potting and getting plants ready for transit and planting on Rarotoka. They are working in our nursery, Timata.

Strategic planning hui

We had a good turnout recently for our strategic planning hui. Wendy and Rā came from Ōtautahi and contributed well to the discussions.

Members from Ōraka-Aparima are welcome to contribute by cyberspace or phone, snail mail too, if they wish. Copies of the notes taken are in the office. Phone or email Lynley if you are interested in participating. Dr Jane Kitson stepped in and, along with a big input from Dave Taylor, facilitated the hui. Ka pai kōrua.

Joseph Wakefield, Aunty Jane, Tāua Muriel and Tāua Betty.

Dr Jane Kitson.