Congratulations

Ōtākou Rūnanga nominated one of our rakatahi, Talia Ellison, for an opportunity to be mentored by the Mayor of Dunedin, Dave Cull, as part of the Tuia – Mayoral Rangatahi Mentoring Programme, and we’re very pleased to announce that Talia was successful with her nomination!

The programme is run nationwide, and offers the opportunity for one rangatahi to be mentored by their local mayor and attend four national wānanga aimed at personal development towards being a future leader within their communities.

Talia has been involved at Ōtākou since childhood. As she has grown, we have watched with immense pride as she attained leadership roles at high school, and accomplished many other achievements including representation at the Youth Parliament in 2010.

Talia Ellison.

Talia is an accomplished public speaker and knowledgeable in youth affairs, particularly for Māori. She has been recognised by Ngāi Tahu at an iwi level, in being selected as a recipient for a targeted scholarship to study in the area of iwi development, and was selected for a cadetship within Te Rūnanga ō Ngāi Tahu’s in-house legal team.

We wish Talia success in the programme, and look forward to her using this opportunity to go on to achieve bigger and brighter things. Karawhiua!

He pēpi tata hou

Further to last month’s announcement of the birth of Mihiata Parkinson to Kirsten and Dan, Kirsten sent us this photo of (from left) Joe, Mihiata, Kirsten, and Jacob. Too gorgeous not to share!

Joe, Mihiata, Kirsten, and Jacob Parkinson.

If you have any stories, pānui, news, or photos you wish to share with our wider whānau, email Rachel, [email protected]

Hapū registrations

While updating our hapū member database, we’ve noticed there is an awful lot of Gone No Address. If you or a member of your whānau has moved, please contact the office so we can update your details.