He pēpi
Nau mai haere mai ki a Kaitatea Leith Hepi. A second son for Tom and Leiani Hepi, born on 15 February, weighing 6 pound 10 ounces. He is a little brother for Kahurangi and new moko for Jeff and Carol Reardon and Tom and Airini Hepi.
Proud big brother Kahurangi holding his little brother Kaitatea.
The Luminaries
On 13 March, Poutini Ngāi Tahu, Makaawhio me Ngāti Waewae, along with Arahura Kōhanga and Hokitika Primary, had the honour of welcoming Eleanor Catton, author of The Luminaries to Arahura.
A large part of the wonderful story of The Luminaries is based at Arahura, with a character named Te Rau Tauwhare and a story that acknowledges Poutini Ngāi Tahu as tangata whenua.
Eleanor Catton with Tauwhare desendants, Makaire Tainui and Lucy Tonihi.
School children gather to meet Eleanor Catton.
Star-struck by The Luminaries
Last month we joined Ngāti Waewae to welcome 2013 Booker Prize award winner, Eleanor Catton, to Hokitika with a pōwhiri at Arahura Marae.
Eleanor’s winning novel, The Luminaries is set in Hokitika in 1866, at the time of the gold rushes. A fair chunk of the story (a murder mystery) is set in the Arahura Valley. Pounamu, Arahura, Mahitahi, and Poutini Ngāi Tahu all feature – and one of the central characters is Te Rau Tauwhare.
Despite her sudden fame and constant pressure of television cameras following her every move, (yes even here on Te Tai o Poutini), we were able to offer some respite while she was with us.
Her warmth and generosity were clear to everyone and I heard that our tamariki from local Hokitika Primary School bi-lingual unit were so motivated when she shared her writing experiences with us that when they returned to kura, all they wanted to do was to write.
Eleanor is a warm and generous person and she was truly humbled by her first experience on the marae, as were the rest of her entourage – her UK publisher and editor Max, her TV producer Andrew and her boyfriend Steve.
From left, Andrew Woodhead, Steve Toussaint, Max Porter and Eleanor Catton.
Tamariki listen to the manuhiri.
Sporting Achievement
Rangitane Thompson “Ekea te puhitaioreore.” During the last school holidays, Rangitane was invited to attend Touch New Zealand’s National Youth Academy alongside 70 of the country’s most promising boys and girls.
The academy was held in Rotorua over four days. While there, Rangitane received coaching on all aspects of the game from some of New Zealand’s top touch coaches. He gained a lot from the experience and will continue his development in the game. Rangitane would like to give a big thank you to Te Hapū o Ngāti Wheke for their support which helped make it possible for him to attend the academy.
Rangitane was also selected for the Canterbury under-17 mixed team, which recently participated at the Youth Touch Nationals held in Papamoa, in the Bay of Plenty. Rangitane captained the team and played the games with speed, skill, commitment, leadership, and maturity;
and although the team didn’t make the finals, they all gave their best and can be proud. Rangitane would like to thank all those who supported his fund-raising efforts including Ngāi Tahu, Pete Lyman and Deane McKenzie from Ngāi Tahu Property for their personal contributions. Also a massive kia ora to Whaia Tere and all the whānau at Te Hohepa Kōhanga Reo. We would especially like to thank Uncle Joe Briggs, who took awesome care of us during the tournament. We send our love and hope your journey back to full health is a speedy one. After departing Uncle Joe’s home, we travelled to Manaia on the Coromandel and stayed with Mike, Bonie and Toko Baker, visiting the whenua of Ngāti Whanaunga.
Our stay was absolutely beautiful. It was also great to catch up with cousin Mariata and John in Tokoroa and see the great work they are doing in their community. Finally we want to say how proud we are of Rangitāne and may he continue to do well in life.
Love Mum and Dad.
Rangitane Thompson.
He pēpi
“Nau mai e moko, kia mihi atu ahau.” Big congratulations to my big sister, Wendi Crofts, on the arrival of her first great-grandchild, Carlia-Ri Sheyenne Aroha Tuira, who was born on Tuesday 1 April at 6.54 am at Christchurch Women’s Hospital. She weighed 7.5 pounds and was 50cms long, with lots of beautiful hair.
A beautiful daughter, who will be smothered with love from her mummy and daddy. Big loves to “pou pou” Alex and “big mum” Aroha Tuira on the arrival of their first grandchild. A very exciting time for the Crofts, Wharehinga, Tuira and Smart whānau. Nā Liz Kereru.
Carlia-Ri Sheyenne Aroha Tuira.
Mason Tahuaroa Reeves was born on 26 February in Perth, to proud parents, Issac Tahuaroa Reeves and Holly Callo.
Another beautiful moko for Billy and Dawn Reeves.
Mason Tahuaroa Reeves.
Materoa Te Wai Victor Barrett arrived safety on 15 March. His arrival was a delight for his first- time parents, Manutahi Barrett and Nikki Haereroa; and his first time Taua, Alvina Edwards.
Materoa is named after his great-grand-father, Materoa Anthony Lovell Ropata (Tony Edwards), who passed late last year.
Materoa Te Wai Victor Barrett.
Manutahi, Nikki and Materoa.
Extremely proud parents Arahia (nee Nutira) and Joseph Maea, along with big brother Marino, welcome Malachi Joseph Terepai Upokoina Maea into the whānau. Malachi, who was born rather quickly on 16 March, weighed in at 8lbs 7oz. He is another moko for Sally Nutira.
Mariah Johnson (Teihoka whānau), welcomes baby Kaine to the whānau, born 19 March. Kaine is the first grandchild for Hohepa Johnson and a great-grandson for Aunty Ake Johnson.
Welcome to baby Malachai Maea.
Taumutu ki Rarotonga
Amokura Kapa Haka is a rōpū created for rangatahi who have a passion to learn and perform kapa haka. Our kaupapa involves all rangatahi participants to be smoke, drug and alcohol-free and encourages members to continue with their education. This group is tutored by Meikura Arahanga, Huata Martindale and Roberta Arahanga.
In July 2013, Amokura Kapa Haka travelled to Rarotonga to participate in the annual Te Maeva Nui Celebrations. Amokura was one of two New Zealand Māori groups that travelled to perform and celebrate in this auspicious occasion. Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances with the organising committee, the festival was shortened by a couple of days and moved outside of the group’s planned travel period. Due to the change, Amokura could not perform in the festival.
All was not lost, as Amokura performed for the Rarotonga people at the Te Punanganui Markets, the Trade Fair Te Maevanui Parade, Captain Tama’s Lagoon Cruises, Highland Paradise and on invitation, a performance at the NZ High Commissioner’s residence. Amokura received amazing reviews in the local Rarotongan newspaper and were filmed for a promotional video on their last day in Rarotonga. We were blessed with so many amazing opportunities, from learning the Cook Island style of hula dance with Tupapa Maraerenga to an evening of whakapapa kōrero and songs with a number of ariki from three villages.
It was an amazing opportunity to travel there to visit one of our tipuna, Tāua Tini Ellison, mother of the late Riki Te Mairaki Ellison. Dr Ellison, tāua Tini’s husband, was the resident GP on the island at the time of her passing. Due to the long journey back to Aotearoa, her whakapapa and Dr Ellison’s professional ranking, the ariki allowed her to be interred in the urupā in his palace grounds, Taputapuatea. The kōrero that was given to us on the day of our visit was that tāua Tini was the first New Zealand Māori to be laid to rest in Rarotonga.
Within the travelling rōpū, there were fourteen with whakapapa ties to Taumutu Rūnanga. All fourteen members received financial assistance to contribute towards their total costs. Of the fourteen members, two of them (Tia Hunt and Aporonia Arahanga) have gone on and performed successfully for X-Factor and The Kapa television shows.
Not only do the members practise many forms of waiata, but all of the young men within Amokura are either students or kaiako (Uruora and Amo-kapua) at Te Tohu o Tū – Taiaha Wānanga, the longest running Taiaha Wānanga within Te Waipounamu. Te Tohu o Tū will be celebrating 25 years of operation this coming Easter/ANZAC week. These young people have not only highlighted Ngāi Tahu as an iwi, but also their whakapapa back to Ngāti Moki, Taumutu. We cannot express enough our gratitude to the rūnanga for supporting us in our kaupapa. We are also extremely grateful for the support from Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu.
Heoi, he mihi nui rawa ki a Ngāti Moki, a, ki Te Rūnanga o Taumutu mō te whakaaro aroha i tukuna mai. Ā nā wai rā, ki te rūnanga matua o Ngāi Tahu mō tā koutou i whakaaro mai.
Nō reira, nāia te toro atu o te ringa mihi ki a koutou tahi – Meikura Arahanga.
Group photo with Tini Ellison headstone.
Amokura kapa haka.
William Pike Challenge award
Tamahou, Nephai, Kye and Te Rau Aroha will be participating in the William Pike Challenge Award and received their information packs from William Pike when he visited us at Arowhenua Marae recently. The whole school listened to William’s inspiring story about how, in 2007, he was trapped on Mt Ruapehu when it erupted, and how he subsequently lost his leg. He told the students he had to decide whether to let this event hold him back or rise to the challenge. He chose the latter and not only did he return to the outdoors but he is now inspiring young people to do the same. The WPCA is an outdoor activity-based programme run over one school year. Groups of students participate in outdoor activities, community service and personally develop a new sport, hobby or skill.
The WPCA is a gateway to new experiences, opportunities and a means of developing a positive youth culture for the nation. The vision for the WPCA is to develop well-rounded and confident Kiwi kids through outdoor experience and connection with their community. We are pleased to be one of only 30 schools in New Zealand accepted for this programme in 2014.
From left: Tamahou, Nephai, Kye and Te Rau Aroha who will be participating in the William Pike Challenge Award, received their information packs from William Pike.
Living Springs camp
Our March camp at Living Springs was a fantastic, action-packed adventure where we got to try lots of new things, enjoy the beautiful environment and make use of the the amazing facilities at Living Springs.
We also learnt a lot about ourselves and built our team skills. A huge mihi to Matua Aidie and Tāua Aloma for coming along to support our camp. More camp news can be found on our Facebook page.
Tamariki had a great time at this year’s Living Springs Camp.
Kia Kūrapa ki Tuahiwi
Kia Kūrapa is a beginners language event aimed at Kāi Tahu iwi members. Kia Kūrapa is also a Kāi Tahu saying that can be translated as ‘hurry up’ or ‘be quick’. This is also the message that we would like to share with our iwi members, be quick and learn your language. Although the numbers of Māori language speakers is increasing, we are still a long way away from achieving our goal, which is Kotahi Mano Kāika e kōrero Māori ana – 1000 homes speaking te reo Māori.
This is the wero, the challenge, that was laid down at Tuahiwi on 28 – 30 March to all those who attended. Ngāi Tūāhuriri were our hosts and it was very refreshing to see a lot of their rakatahi speaking, learning and loving te reo Māori. On the Friday night it was all about whakawhanaukataka, building relationships by way of mihimihi and learning waiata. On Saturday we had four classes focusing on Kāi Tahu reo, waiata and pūrakau. On the last day we spent the morning doing some whakaari, skits which were based on the stories we had learnt throughout the weekend.
We hope that all who attended enjoyed themselves and we look forward to seeing you all at our upcoming events. I would also like to thank our kaiako, who attended two Aoraki Matatū wānanga in preparation for this event and did a great job teaching in the weekend and to our poureo Hana and Lynne for continuously leading out these initiatives. Finally we would like to thank Ngāi Tūāhuriri, Tuahiwi primary school and the kapa haka o Te Pao a Tahu for their hospitality. Kia kaha, kia māia, kia manawa tītī.
Maxine Tupe, Manuhaea O’Regan and kōtiro.