Kōrero from Reriti

It has now been a week since we buried Pōua, Henare Rakiihia Tau, who passed away in Auckland on Monday 30 June. We brought Pōua home to Tuahiwi on Wednesday 2 July, where he laid in state in our beautiful whare, Maahunui II until laying him to rest beside his best mate David Palmer, who was a part of the ‘A Team’ during ‘The Claim’.

It’s hard to describe the overwhelming feeling of aroha that our whānau received, not only during these past few weeks, but also throughout Pōua’s journey, before and after his operation.

Our sincerest and grateful thanks to everyone who gave a helping hand in making Pōua’s hokinga ki te Tōrona o Ihoa run so smoothly.
His journey home had style, grace, charm and dignity – just as he would have liked.

To the gatherers of his most favourite kai, the ringawera, the kaikōrero on the paepae, kaikaranga, Ngā Pou o Te Haahi Ratana, Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, Tuahiwi Marae, ngā marae maha o Tahu, the doctors and nurses from both Christchurch and Auckland, everyone who worked behind the scenes and to everyone who came to pay their respects to Pōua, thank you all. We appreciated your presence and your acknowledgement of our Dad/Pōua/brother/uncle and of your whanaunga/friend. We will always remember the love you all graciously shared during our time of need. Kia tau te rangimarie ki runga i a tātou katoa, Reriti Tau.

Rik and sons Rakihia, Te Maire and Maru with beloved dog Tosca at home in Tuahiwi.

Rik and sons Rakihia, Te Maire and Maru with beloved dog Tosca at home in Tuahiwi.

Rik at Ratana Pā in the Temepara.

Rik at Ratana Pā in the Temepara.

Te Maire, Rakihia, Meri, Rik, Maru and Te Uruti.

Te Maire, Rakihia, Meri, Rik, Maru and Te Uruti.

Ngā mate

E te mokopuna a Tuahiwi, okioki atu rā. On 24 June 2014, we said our poroporoaki to Marie (Mardia) Avis. Daughter of Girl and Kevin Naish, sister to Belinda, wife to Matt and mummy to Lizzie and Emily. Please know that our whānau are always here for you and thinking of you all. E kore te hotu o te manawa e mutu mōu e Marie. Hoki atu koe ki te torōna o Ihoa, ki reira tō tātou Pōua, Tāua mā e tatari ai. Arohanui, Tau whānau.

Marie with daughters Lizzy and Emily.

Marie with daughters Lizzy and Emily.

Whānau together in Rotorua.

Whānau together in Rotorua.

Congratulations

June Harvey-Kitto, who recently graduated from Canterbury University with a Diploma in Māori Studies with Indigenous People. June is grateful to Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu for all the manaaki and awhi they offered during her tertiary studies.

Born and raised at Tuahiwi, June went to the Tuahiwi Native School, then onto Rangiora High School. She later travelled to England before living in Australia for several years working three jobs.
“I came home to really find out who and where exactly were my roots are,” she says.
“Ko Ngāi Tahu rāua ko Ngāti Mutanga ōku iwi…ko ōku mātua ko Mere Magdalene Hopkinson rāua ko Papa Lyall Harvey.”

Hungry for more education, she went to CPIT, where she graduated in Hairdressing, Filming and Arts; and since the earthquakes, she has graduated from Canterbury University with a Diploma in Māori Studies. June currently works as a voluntary administrator/community supporter for WellbeingNC, a Government agency for social workers and councillors. She has also worked for Kaiapoi Community Services for the past eight years.

“I have the pleasure and honour of thanking Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu for all the manaaki and awhi they supported me with during my tertiary studies.

Ka mihi aroha ki a koutou e te whānau o Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, tēnā koutou katoa.”

June Harvey-Kitto.

June Harvey-Kitto.

Taku mana wahine e….

I was blessed to be a part of a group of stunning “Goddesses” as we prepared ourselves to travel to Hawaii under the leadership of Raina Ferris. We were hosted by our Rangatira Keeaumoku Kapu and his Ohana in Lahaina on the island of Maui for eight days. We then travelled to Honolulu to attend the WIPCE conference and take part in the workshops – and to also deliver a workshop on karanga. Many thanks to Raina for her vision and spiritual guidance. Aloha kakou. Nā Liz Kereru.

Liz Kereru and Raina Ferris.

Liz Kereru and Raina Ferris.

Matariki Tāpuapua

After seven years, I returned to Te Papa in Wellington to celebrate Matariki with our kaumātua kapa haka. Not having either of my parents beside me was a little sad but the sadness was soon filled with joyous, inspirational energy, as we shared the celebrations with other kāhui kaumātua from throughout the motu. Thank you to my aunties and cousins for the privilege and honour of sharing such a wonderful time with you all. I look forward to next year’s trip. Nā Liz Kereru.

Tokomaru Hammond, Liz Kereru, Aroha Reriti-Crofts and Ila Howse.

Tokomaru Hammond, Liz Kereru, Aroha Reriti-Crofts and Ila Howse.

From Kawhia to Spain

Ko te manu e kai ana i te miro, nōna te ngahere, ko te manu e kai ana i te mātauranga, nōna te ao.
A proud moment for our whānau as Marree returns home after attending the 12th annual IUCN Academy of Environmental Law Colloquium in Tarragona (Spain). Marree was invited to the colloquium by her environmental law lecturer at Waikato University. Marree thoroughly enjoyed the colloquium and found it to be both educational and inspirational. During the colloquium she was able to be a part of the kōrero at the global network for the study of human rights and the environment. As a result of this, Marree has been invited to complete her postgraduate studies at universities in America and Canada. If accepted this will be a big step for both Marree and Kiriona but it is one that could secure their futures for life. Marree is in her final year of a double degree in Law (Environmental Law and Indigenous Rights) and Arts (Te Reo Māori and Tikanga Māori) at the University of Waikato. Nā Liz Kereru.

Karanga Waipounamu

As most of you will know, Piri Sciascia and I have been given the task of preparing our motu for the pōwhiri for Te Matatini 2015. So far there have been two wonderful waiata noho at Tuahiwi Marae Our next one will be on 10-12 October at Tuahiwi and we hope to see you there if you are free. Bring along your blankets and slippers and join us for a magical weekend of haka, mōteatea and waiata……. Nau mai, tauti mai rā……….

I would especially like to acknowledge all of our taua, who have religiously travelled from the city to support our two waiata noho especially our last one, where they braved the freezing cold weather. I just love you all. Nā Liz Kereru.

Kaumātua programme

Our kaumātua programme got off to a great start recently with an outing to Hanmer Springs for a soak in the hot pools. It was a perfect winter’s day for the trip – clear sky and sunshine all the way. The pools have had a wonderful makeover in recent years and are a fantastic place for getting rid of stress and the aches and pains that come with aging. Even those who were a little unsure of getting into the pools came away feeling relaxed and looking forward to their next visit – isn’t that right Toko? A great time had by all.

The second outing was to Timaru to visit Te Ana Māori Rock Art Centre. While the bus trip was long, the experience was definitely worth it.

Outings are always the last Thursday of the month. There won’t be an August outing due to the Iwi Leaders Forum happening at the marae. On Thursday 25 September we will head to Kaikōura to visit Kaikōura Tours. Please contact Tania at the rūnanga office to register your interest.

Toko Hammond and Aroha Reriti-Crofts.

Toko Hammond and Aroha Reriti-Crofts.

Alamein Pitama-Scholtens and Teresa Te Aika.

Alamein Pitama-Scholtens and Teresa Te Aika.

Mere Crofts and Ila Howse enjoying the kōrero with rock art guide Natasha Frisby.

Mere Crofts and Ila Howse enjoying the kōrero with rock art guide Natasha Frisby.

Alamein Pitama-Scholtens, Theresa Te Aika, Joan Burgman and June Kemp.

Alamein Pitama-Scholtens, Theresa Te Aika, Joan Burgman and June Kemp.

Hilary Te Aika, June Kemp and Joan Burgman at the Rock Art Centre.

Hilary Te Aika, June Kemp and Joan Burgman at the Rock Art Centre.

Kapua Pitama, Mere Crofts, Frank Williams, Clare Williams and Deidre Carroll.

Kapua Pitama, Mere Crofts, Frank Williams, Clare Williams and Deidre Carroll.

Rangatahi forum

From 28 September – 2 October we will be running a rangatahi forum at the marae. The forum is available for 14 – 20 year-olds, who whakapapa to Tuahiwi, and who are interested in growing their knowledge while having some fun. Over the course of the week participants will be inspired by role models, learn history and whakapapa, share dreams and aspirations and explore individual and collective visions for the future and what it means to be Ngāi Tahu. If you are interested in participating or know of anyone else who might be, please contact the office to register on 03 313 5543.

Online

Yes we are now in the modern times with our very own Facebook page: facebook.com/wearetuahiwi. Make sure you check it out and of course, like it, so that you can stay in touch with what is going on. Next month we will be launching the new Tuahiwi website. The website will provide lots of useful information about what’s happening around the pā and will be a place where others can learn more about us.

A trip south

Condolences to all who have lost love ones. My heart goes out to you all. Aroha mai.

On Thursday 31 July we went on a bus trip to Timaru to see the Māori rock art and what a lovely north west warm day we had for the trip. All our Arowhenua nieces were there to meet us. So lovely.

We left Tuahiwi Marae at 9.30am and we got to Timaru at 12.30pm. It was a lovely, long journey. Guess who brought scratchies and Lotto tickets (not me, Charlie). My handsome nephew Gary Waaka (who I haven’t seen for ages), came with us – and of course our lovely bus leader, Adrienne. We stopped for snacks in Rakaia. I wanted oysters but my cousin Ila said “only at Bishopdale” (but that was a long way away so I had to settle for fish).

We got to the Māori Rock Art Centre and what a lovely place to read about the rock art.
After lunch, with our puku full, we boarded the bus and headed home to Tuahiwi, all feeling like a nai-nai. At 4.30pm we called into Rakaia again to flare up the engines (and have a smoke).

By 5pm, what do you know – cousin Ila had opened her kai bag and was handing out sandwiches; and low and behold, Aunty June was doing the same – so we were on the kai again. When we got back to the marae at 6pm, the whānau were having kai but I couldn’t eat and did some other stuff – although at 2am I got up starving, so I made some kai and stayed up and watched the games.

We are all at the marae for a hui and it is only kōrero Māori and no Pākehā spoken – only for those who don’t know te reo Māori, which includes me – but it’s all good. Well see you all in the next pānui. Ka kite K.K.K