In October, 15 members of Ngāi Tahu ki Tauranga Moana travelled to Te Waipounamu on a journey of discovery. Our kaumātua, Uncle Joe Briggs, Aunty Jan and Uncle Brian Kawe came along to support us.
This hikoi had been in the making for a long time and we finally realised the dream. Vicki Ratana, someone considered very special by Tauranga Moana, met us at the airport and she was our tour guide for the weekend.
We were welcomed with a pōwhiri at Tuahiwi Marae and we stayed there during our time in Christchurch. We had the added bonus of being with an awesome group of wānanga students, who were also staying at Tuahiwi.
On the first day, Arapata Reuben from the whakapapa unit at Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, gave us some local history.
He then took us to the Kaiapoi Pā site, which is an area steeped in Ngāi Tahu history. Fortunately, we were able to walk around and learn some history
We drove around some parts of the city also. For many of our rōpū, it was their first time in Christchurch and visiting their marae.
The following day we were welcomed onto Arowhenua Marae and more connections were made. We were treated to a magnificent lunch before we headed off to Timaru to the Te Ana Māori Rock Art Centre. We all enjoyed learning more about our Ngāi Tahu history and we had the added bonus of seeing a beautiful, big photo of our hard working treasurer, Michaela Kamo and her sister and brothers.
We were also honoured to have Michaela’s dad, Ngāi Tahu kaumātua, Ray Kamo with us, so we made sure that Uncle Ray, Michaela and her children Findlay and Elan had their photo taken next to the big portrait.
We then visited a rock cave to view the actual carvings.
On our last day, we said goodbye to all our new whānau and headed off to Rāpaki. We were warmly welcomed on to Te Wheke Marae and stayed for a chat and a lovely morning tea.
We were also very lucky to have Uncle Brian Kawe and Peter Rollo, who gave a kōrero and Auntie Jan, the karanga at our stops. We then made our way to Akaroa and briefly stopped to see the Waiwera Marae before heading on to Ōnuku, which we knew was closed for redevelopment. We all wanted to try blue cod (which many of us had never had before). It was the favourite item on the menu in Akaroa.
Guided by our precious Vicki, who knew all the shortcuts around town, we headed back to Christchurch and spent time with Tā Mark Solomon, Terry Ryan, Whetu Moataane, and Arapata Reuben. We had the opportunity to ask questions and we were shown around the headquarters. We also discussed whakapapa with Uncle Terry and Arapata. During our visit we had a lovely afternoon tea and then it was time to fly home.
Although our trip was short we made many connections and learned a lot about our Ngāi Tahu whakapapa.
A special thank you to everyone we met along the way. This trip was an opportunity to take a special hīkoi of discovery.
From left, Fin, Uncle Ray, Elan and Michaela, during their trip to the rock art centre.
Whānau ready to fly to Te Waipounamu.
From left, Roger Canterbury, Alec Were, Haina, Brian Inia and Ollie Irving.
From left, Anna Were, Kim Ellison, Annis Somerville, Jan Kawe, Michaela Kamo, in Timaru.
Rear, Vicki Ratana and Uncle Joe Briggs. Front from left, Brenda Coxon, Catherine Giblin and Annis Somerville.