Kāi Tahu ki Whakatāne
Our group was recently asked if we could help organise the food for the caterers at the National Women’s Welfare League dinner and ball at their Whakatāne conference.
We were greeted enthusiastically by the three workers, who much appreciated the help of 12 of our enthusiastic volunteers, especially as there were 650 diners to be catered for.
The experience was particularly valuable for our group and we realized that we have the personnel and expertise to set up our own fundraising catering group. Nā Oriwia Rehu-Murchie.
From left, Rossane Jones’s her daughter Abish, Sandra Maaka-Haami, Rose Hawkes, Hori Kawau, Sue Southerwood, Marie Hannah, Grenville Haami, Oriwia Rehu-Murchie, Judy White and Helen.
Kāi Tahu Ki Otaki
Kei kā ihu oneone, kei kā turi paru o te iwi, tēnā tātou katoa. E whai ake nei ētahi maramara kōrero o kā uri o te tipuna Aoraki, e noho nei i raro i te pae mauka o Tararua.
Te Ara o Te Ringa Mauī exhibition
Our resident artist, Mātene Te Putu Climie, who affiliates to Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Kapumanawawhiti, Ngāi Tahu and Muaūpoko, opened an exhibition of his works at Mahara Gallery in Waikanae on 11 October. Matene gives us a background to this exhibition:
“For a year I have been gathering and producing art from a multimedia perspective, as I never like to stick to one type of medium. I am forever challenging myself to find some level of perfection in my work.
Te Ara o Te Ringa Mauī or (path of The Left Hand) is challenging the world view of how the left hand has always been regarded as the path of the evil one. This bizarre concept is not only common in western religion, but is also found within other cultures’ practices, with the left hand being unclean and should only be used to clean the body, or more so within the Māori culture as a sign of insult when greeting and placing koha to the guests.
Though this phenomena is widely accepted, those who are left handed find this accepted rule difficult to comprehend, with most, if not all things made for right-handed people. Therefore I’ve had to by choice not by chance adopt right-handed behaviour to be part of the collective group of 80 – 95% right-handed people. So I’ve learnt to play all instruments right-handed and to bat and swing right-handed. But of all things, my art has always been left-handed.
Inspired by lefties such as Leonardo Da Vinci, Michelangelo Buonarotti of the Italian Renaissance, and most importantly the trickster Māui Tikitiki-ā-Taranga himself, this exhibition is my close relationship with art from a survival instinct made from a left-handed point-of-view.”
Matene Climie.
Poi Āwhio, part of the Te Ara o Te Ringa Mauī exhibition.
Upcoming wānaka
16-17 November – Kāi Tahu reo, pūrākau and other kōrero with Hana.
Whakatau: 2pm, 16 November/Whitu. Finishes: 1pm, 17 November/Whitu. Ki whea: Tū Roa kōhanga, Ōtaki.
Ngāi Tahu ki Tāmaki Makaurau
Wānanga success
Although we were missing two of our esteemed kaumātua, it was a great weekend with strong whanaungatanga. Papa Kukupa was originally booked to do a te reo wānanga with us, however he was called away for another important hui in Wellington, to tautoko the new kaihautū at Te Papa. We were sad not to have him there, but we understood, and were grateful for his organisation of a kaikōrero and kaikaranga to welcome our manuhiri at the pōwhiri.
We are also very excited about his upcoming Ngāi Tahu reo classes. Unfortunately kaumātua Ron (Bones) Rissetto was very unwell and could not be there. Our thoughts and aroha are very much with him and we wish him a prompt recovery. We had a full quorum for our annual general meeting, which went well, and we welcome all new committee and executive members We also thank all those outgoing for all their hard mahi to date. Cheri’s Caterer’s provided a delicious spread throughout the weekend.
Maha Tomo did a taonga-making workshop after the Saturday meeting followed by my korero and slide show on Aoraki Bound. Jacqui Edwards ran various waiata sessions; and it was great to learn some more Ngāi Tahu waiata. On the Sunday morning we facilitated a “River of Life” journeys workshop, looking at each of our journeys through life. Each person drew their river and wrote some words about it, and had the opportunity korero on this and it was great whakawhanaungatanga – it’s fascinating what you can do with some felt pens and big sheets of paper.
Ngā mihi nui, a big thank you to all the kaimahi and to everyone who came along and helped make the weekend a success. Nā Jonathan Sargisson.
Mereana Robinson Silbery, Koro Silbery, Hurihia Tomo, Shanan Kohi, Joanne Barrett, Brian How, Raelynn Bennett, Kelly Cherokee, Jade Ryder in front.
Wānanga participants had a great time over the weekend.
Riki Kohi, Charlotte Friend, Maha Tomo, Tewainui Tomo, Jonathan Sargisson.
Hui
Our Taurahere Hui-ā-Tau date has been changed to 8-10 November.
Pōwhiri will start at 6pm Friday 8 November. Nau mai, haere mai.
Kāi Tahu ki Waikato
Night with Ngāi Tahu
Kāi Tahu ki Waikato held its inaugural ‘Night with Ngāi Tahu’ event in Hamilton in September. It was our way of celebrating our Kaitahutaka – and catching up with all the happenings from down home. We had a hot boy band playing, our very own mahi raranga artist, Irene Brady exhibiting her beautiful, delicate muka work and we had art work by Kāi Tahu whānau adorning the walls. Uncle Kukupa came down from Auckland and set the scene and the next door café owner, Mr Milton did us proud by cooking a range of delicious kai, which was served up to whānau by our own rakatahi.
We were also blessed by the presence of senior Tainui kaumātua, Koroneihana Cooper and Tu Tu Ormsby plus Hauraki kaumātua, Harry Mikaere. It was so appropriate to have them there and Uncle Terry Ryan’s focus during his korero on Kāi Tahu-Tainui links was right on the button. We are very fortunate to live under the korowai of the Tainui people and we will continue to acknowledge and celebrate that. Tā Mark Solomon, Aunty Ranui Ngarimu and Terry Ryan were our speakers and it is always a pleasure to have them with us, sharing their wisdom and their ability to walk among the people and to connect with everyone.
To cap the evening off we screened the documentary Pounamu the Stone in our Bones. It was so good to see a documentary made from a Kāi Tahu-centric view of the world. Best of all though, was being able to bring our Kāi Tahu ki waho whānau together and have the opportunity to further develop our connections and relationships. We were buzzing after the night’s success and have decided to hold this event on an annual basis as part of our commitment to growing what we can offer to our whānau via our Taurahere rōpū.
Tā Mark with Martin Orbell.
Uncle Terry shares his kōrero.
Tā Mark Solomon speaks at our Night with Ngāi Tahu.
Harry Mikaere Hauraki, pays tribute to Tā Mark Solomon.
Patsy Davies and Maria Diamond.
Tania Simpson and Uncle Kukupa catch up.
Martin Orbell and Uncle Terry.
Kīngitanga day
The next day Tā Mark was keynote speaker at Waikato University’s Kīngitanga Day, a presence that symbolises the value of the partnership between Ngāi Tahu and Tainui. He spoke in two sessions and demonstrated why he is our Kaiwhakahaere. He was humble, genuine, passionate and profound in sharing his thoughts around building a future for our people. Our taurahere rōpū were proud to be his support crew for the day.
From left, Auntie Ranui, Tā Mark, Maaki Tuatini, Moana Lousi, Jenny Boyd, Jane Stevens, Uncle Terry and Papi Barrett at Waikato University Kingitanga Day.
Kāitahutaka wānaka
We have been working hard on getting our regular whānau gatherings up and running as well. We have been really fortunate in having the services of Matiu Payne and Phillipa to take us on a journey, learning our waiata and tikanga.
We meet at the Raroera campus of Te Wānanga in Te Rapa and our next hui is on Sunday 3 November at 5pm. Bring your enthusiasm, the kids and a plate.
Ngāi Tahu ki Te Tairāwhiti
Hei pepī
Welcome to Hoana Keita Henare, born on 5 October at Te Puia Springs Hospital – a new grand-daughter for Elizabeth Henare and a baby daughter for Wiremu Henare (Ngāti Porou, Ngāi Tahu) and Stephanie Wilson (Ngāti Konohi). All the very best to whānau.