Ka pai tamariki mā

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Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Waewae would like to congratulate all our whānau who have had babies over the holidays. I apologise if I have missed any other baby news.

Big ups to the wee cuzzie Jake Meihana and his partner Kelsie May Hibbs on the arrival of their special boy, Nixon Brett Hibbs-Meihana, who was born at Greymouth Hospital at 3.08am on 28 December weighing 7lb 9 oz. He is a new moko for Mellisa Jane Clarke, Brenden Hibbs, Sue Meihana and Joe Mason.

A big welcome to Lincoln Graham Fanslow born to Poppy (Hera Parker) and Cory Fanslow on 18 January, weighing 7lb 15 ozs. He is a brother for Kingston and Conner, a moko for Ang and Tuddy Parker, and Roger and Jan Fanslow; and a very special great-grandson of Ned, Ursula and Noeline.

Big kisses and hugs to this little special wee girl Jasarah Amelia Jenkins born nine weeks premature at King Edward Memorial Hospital in Perth at 4.25pm on 29 November, weighing 1069 grams. Ruihi Tumahai and Kurt Jenkins are the proud parents, and grandparents, Julie Campbell, Pierre Tumahai, Sonia Jenkins and Mick Jenkins.

Welcome to this special taonga Jahcoby George Tumahai-Weatherall born at 10.25pm on 13 December weighing 6lb 12oz. Proud parents are Mikayla Tumahai and Rodger Weatherall. Another Moko for Julie Campbell and Pierre Tumahai, Allison Lawrence (Nan) and Horace Pehi (Papa).

Kia kūrapa ki Awarua 2015

Kia Kūrapa, which means “bring up to speed” are wānaka reo aimed at beginners to intermediate learners of te reo.

On Friday 30 Iwa – Sunday 1 Kahuru, Te Rau Aroha marae once again hosted Kia Kūrapa ki Awarua. We were welcomed by the hau kāika and after a beautiful kai were fortunate to have Dean Whaanga share his kōrero about the tūpuna adorning the wharenui. Mihimihi followed allowing us to find connections to one another and to Dean’s kōrero.

Our thanks to Bluff school for allowing us the use of their facilities. Classes were held there by our incredible Aoraki Matatū kaiako Brett Lee, Jeanine Tamati-Paratene, Lily Fraser and our pou reo Hana O’Regan. On Saturday afternoon we headed up to Motu Pōhue (Bluff Hill) and then to Ōmāui. We were grateful to have Dean with us to share his mātauraka about these places and also for the chance to see the spectacular views and landscape.

Saturday night was spent learning Te Taukaea Aroha (Ko te whirika) and revising what we had learnt in class. Our final class was on Sunday morning, followed by a surprise birthday celebration for our tuhi māreikura, Hana O’Regan and then the poroporoaki.

It was awesome to have a range of participants, tāua, pōua, hākui, hākoro, rakatahi, tamariki and pēpi all with the same desire to begin or continue their journey towards being reo agents. Thanks so much to Taikawa Tamati-Elliffe and Talia Ellison for running the tamariki programme. Promoting intergenerational language transmission is only possible when parents and grandparents have their kuru pounamu close by.

A huge thank you to the hau kāika who opened up their hearts and their whare to us all, without their manaaki and aroha this wānaka could not have happened. The next Kia Kūrapa is at Tuahiwi Marae, 20 – 21June. For more information check out our website: www.kmk.maori.nz

Arahura Pā picnic

On 24 January all our whānau gathered at the pā for a fun day of entertainment, lots of kai and heaps of games. There were lots of whānau to catch up with and the sun was melting but it was so good to have a water fight with all our ‘tamafreakies’ and their families.

Pool party

Makaawhio annual pool party at the local Hokitika Centennial Pool. Pool fun on a hot day, followed by a BBQ, pressie time and sugary treats made for a great afternoon.

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Nau mai rā e ngā mokopuna ki te ao mārama e. The Riwai, Stone and McKenzie whānau celebrate the arrival of Evie and Salvatore Musarra, the adorable 11-month-old twin mokopuna of Sheena Stone (Kāti Wheke) and Chris Harte. They are the first-born children for Sarah-Jane Harte and Anthony Musarra (Italy) and currently reside in Melbourne, Australia.

Teina Manawa Walker was born at 11.45am on 2 January, weighing 7.5lbs. He is the son of Timi Walker and Corinna Sippel. Teina is a younger brother to Tyson, Reiana and Ripeka Walker and is the 14th mokopuna for Taua Hapeti Stone.

Gemini Ngarimu was born on 10 January only 3 weeks after her great-tāua Mavis Karena passed away. Gemini is the second daughter of Sheryl McKenzie and Te Moana Ngarimu. The proud grandparents are David (Crockett) McKenzie, Tonianne Winiata, Kate and Gemini Ngarimu. Gemini is the younger sister of Mila-Valentine Ngarimu.

River Dean Stone was born on 12 January. He is the first son of Richard Stone and Janelle McGoldrick. Proud grandparents are Mutu and Sue Stone, and Martin and Lisa McGoldrick. River is the younger brother of Mikeah Kathleen Stone. Mā te atua koutou ngā mātua me ngā mokopuna e manaaki e tiaki hoki.

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He taonga te mokopuna. Another handsome mokopuna for the Phillips, Kereru and Wainohu whānau. Luca Ngakai Raymond Wainohu was born on Friday 23 January, a baby brother for Taena (Critter) that he absolutely adores. Congratulations to proud parents Maiauna and Blane. Another mokopuna for Nani Liz and Papa Shaun to spoil rotten.

Congratulations

Tiaki Burgman, moko of Joan and John Burgman has made his whānau very proud after an excellent year at Kaiapoi North School.

He was awarded trophies for excellence in instrumental performance, kapa haka leadership and encouragement to others and for academic excellence. He also received a special staff trophy for language, cups for athletics and was named the most dedicated player for the Kaiapoi Under 13 rugby team. His parents, Joshua and Miriama, and his tāua are pleased with his achievements and wish him all the best for high school this coming year.

The korowai that he is wearing is also one of the taonga that he won. Some of his other awards included the Kaiapoi North School PTA performing arts trophy for excellence in instrumental performance; pounamu and Te Taonga o Kaiapoi Tokerau mō te tumuaki kapa haka leadership trophy; a carving for his kapa haka; Te Whata–Cooke award Tū Māia for stepping up and encouraging others; and a koru from Rotary Club of Belfast for Kaiapoi North School leadership through performing arts.

Congratulations also to Māui Brennan who capped off his academic year at St Bedes in 2014 having achieved 128 NCEA Level 1 excellence credits and 24 NCEA Level 1 merit credits. Māui achieved his credits in English, mathematics, science, accounting, religious studies and music.

Ngāti Moki Tamariki Day

Once again, our tamariki gathered together over the Christmas holidays at Ngāti Moki Marae for cultural activities, fun and games and of course, kai.

We were joined by students from the University of Canterbury College of Education. The tamariki, rangatahi, pakeke and some of our kaumātua, welcomed the students onto the marae with a mihi whakatau; and our facilitator, Liz Brown, explained the activities for the day – painting a mural, planting rupia and historical/information activities.

The tamariki and university students broke into three groups and started the activities for the day. Most focused on painting the mural, with groups taking turns to develop it through the necessary stages. The final product is awesome.

Groups also got to plant the rupia seedlings – rupia is a macrophyte that is currently being cultivated at Taumutu by NIWA staff and it is hoped that when the plants are established in Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere, they will improve the water quality of our lake.

Tamariki also watched the DVD about the macrophyte cultivation at Taumutu, recorded by Māori Television last year. Some of our tamariki and kaumātua were involved in the project and were shown in the documentary. This was followed by a walk to the Hone Wetere church and of course the beach. Rose Brown shared her extensive knowledge of the area – ngā mihi ki a koe.

The University students also joined our tamariki in games of touch – or a version of touch – which they all enjoyed.
It was great having them with us and show them how we interact and discuss what is important to our tamariki about education. We know the students got a lot out of the day that they can use in their future studies/work as teachers.

Congratulations

Paora McQueen, moko of Malcolm and Pauline Tipa-McQueen, achieved merit and excellence in his 2014 NZQA level 1 papers in Māori, history, mathematics, English and physical education.

Paora, who is a student at Hornby High School in Christchurch, is an active sportsman. He played for the Under 16 Hornby Panthers Rugby League club last year. Outside of school Paora is involved in the Tira Whetu Youth initiative/young leaders programme, which has been delivered by Purapura Whetu for the past three years. He is also interested in his mother’s Samoan culture, is proactive in their youth church and also enjoys music, history and sports.

Paora is older brother to Mateusz Nikau-Lee McQueen who was born on 26 August 2006.

He would like to work in the field of structural engineering and hopes to become a personal trainer/sports therapist.

Taonga for Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ōtepoti

In December last year, executive members Tama Smith and Katharina Ruckstuhl presented board chair Tumuaki Tiahui Kawe-Small, Tori Campbell, tamariki and whānau of Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ōtepoti with a specially commissioned taonga pounamu to recognise the kura’s 20th birthday.

The taonga, in the shape of a toki, symbolises the work of the kura that shapes the tamariki in the same way that a carver uses a toki to shape the pounamu. With increasing enrolments in 2015, the rūnaka hopes that the kura will continue to shape and develop Dunedin’s tamariki.

Te Taitimu – Turning the tide

After welcoming in the New Year some of our whānau from Puke attended the 8th Te Taitimu Wānanga, which was held at Te Aute College, 4 – 8 January. Ten of us left on 2 January to make it in time for the pōwhiri on 4 January. There were approximately 200 people in attendance from police officers, firemen, doctors, parents, a visitor from Hawaii and of course, our rangatahi and tamariki. The main kaupapa was to increase our knowledge of Tangaroa and water safety. Our rangatahi enjoyed camping in the tents and also getting to do a lot of water activities. Ngā mihi nui ki ngā kaiwhakahaere o te kaupapa Rangatira e tuitui nei anō tātou ki a Takaroa. E kore e oti ngā mihi. Nā Waiariki Parata-Taiapa.

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Our congratulations go to whānau who are increasing the hapū here at Ōtākou. Nadia Wesley and Lester Kelly are pleased to announce the arrival of Ethan Te Ururaki Kelly, born 5 December on his great-grandmother’s birthday. Another moko for Moana Wesley, and great-moko for Dorrie Kelly, Cecille and the late Tatane Wesley. I te taha o tōna hākui, he uri ia nō Taare Wetere Te Kaahu, ā, i te taha o tōna hākoro, he uri ia nō Pakinui.

Summer holidays

Some of our whānau post their photos on Facebook.
Here’s some of our local tamariki chilling out over the summer.

Tamariki Christmas party

We had our disco-themed tamariki Christmas party at Hamilton Park in December. We had a barbecue for lunch. Terry, Mere, Crystal, as always put on a great day for the tamariki. We look forward to starting the tamariki program in the next month.

Whānau trip to Rarotoka

A group of whānau made the trip to Rarotoka in early January. Among the group were Ron Bull’s mokopuna, Kea Rahiti and Mahana and Kaia, the mokopuna of Dene Cole.

Christmas parade

The Ōraka Aparima kapa haka group made a great effort to create a colourful float for the Riverton Christmas Eve Santa Parade. What an awesome job the team made of decorating their float. The banner on the outside of the float was made by children who attended a workshop facilitated by Brian Potiki and Jill Walker of the Travelling Tuataras. Well done to everybody who gave their time to make sure this happened.

Rangatahi Tumeke Rakiura camp

Kia ora koutou katoa. He mihi nui he mihi aroha ki ngā whānau whānui o Kāi Tahu.

In mid-January nine rangatahi and 10 adults got together for a Rangatahi Tumeke camp on Rakiura (Stewart Island). Some of our regular kaimahi were unable to make the camp and their presence was missed. Ka aroha whānau.

The journey began at Bluff when everyone caught the Foveaux Express to Halfmoon Bay. They then boarded Phillip Smiths’ boat (Wildfire). Phillip guided us to Bravo Island, where we were lucky enough to stay overnight and capture something of this stunning place. Bravo has some of the oldest archaeological sites in Aotearoa. Phillip and his crew were just awesome and we were all very humbled to have had this experience. It’s one we will cherish forever.

As we steamed towards Bravo Island we caught blue cod, trumpeter, terakihi and dog fish, which we dined on for dinner. We were also treated with a visit to Ulva Island, a sanctuary for our native birds, where kākā are abundant. In the evening we investigated some of the island then sat around a campfire, played cards and entertained some young bull sea lions later in the night.

The following day, we travelled to the Neck, a very significant place for many of us as some of our tūpuna were at this beautiful place. Phillip guided us onto the Neck and gave us some brilliant history of the place.

We then steamed around to Port William and as the wharf was under repair, we had to unload the boat and take a dingy to shore – which was enjoyed by the rangatahi. After a heartfelt thank you to Phillip and his crew, they steamed away back to Half Moon Bay and left us at Port William. This is another beautiful place that holds lots of history and stories for Rakiura Māori.

After tents were pitched the kai was prepared for a big hākari with some local pāua gathered by the whānau. A Department of Conservation hut warden gave us a brief talk about the place and the hut policies. We were all a little tired so after some chatter, a game of spotlight and more cards, we hit the sleeping bags to muster up all our energy for our hīkoi out to Half Moon Bay the next day.

The next morning, geared up with backpack, insect repellent, sunblock, lunch and water bottles, we set out on a reasonable sized climb – just to warm us up in the 23-degree day.

Kaumātua Christmas lunch

A reasonable crowd of local kaumātua attended the Te Rau Aroha Marae annual Christmas lunch held on 25 November. They were treated to a seafood entrée made up of fish pieces and oysters, a main of baked ham, roast chicken and assorted roast vegetables, stuffing, gravy and apple sauce followed by cheesecake, fresh fruit salad and steam pudding.

Entertainment was provided by the Bluff Community School kapa haka, which did an awesome job and was truly appreciated by those present.

A big thank you to Jacqui, Sharon and their helpers who helped make it a lovely occasion for our kaumātua.

Kura Reo ki Arowhenua

Te wani kē hoki o te haereka ki tēnei Kura Reo. I hari ahau i aku mokopuna tokotoru ko Paretekanawa, rātou ko Tira ko Meretini me aku tamanui ko Micheal rāua ko Te Riria ki Temuka ki Arowhenua Marae. Nā te Rūnaka o Kāi Tahu te pūtea tautoko. Nā Brett Lee rāua ko Jacqueline Tutuki i whakarite kā tikiti me kā waka . Mei kore ake koutou, kore rawa mātou i taea te haere ki te Kura Reo. He mihi mutuka kore tēnei ki a koutou.

I tae atu mātou te whānau Paki me te tini nō tērā kāika nō tērā kāika o Kāi Tahu, o Waitaha, ki mua i te wharenui Te Hapa o Niu Tīreni hei riteka mō te pōwhiri. Nā tō tātou Pōua Kukupa rāua ko taku tama a Mikaere kā kaikōrero, mā mātou ko Hana O’ Regan, ko Paulette Tamati-Ellife kā kaikaraka mō te taha manuhiri. I whai kā tikaka o Arowhenua me kī o Kāi Tahu. Kātahi mātou ka kai, e mōhio rāia ana mātou te rokonuitaka o te ikoa ‘Te umu kaha o Arowhenua’. Ka puta a pito, ka hawa! He tohu pai mō te wiki i mua i a mātou i taua wā.

Nā Paulette rāua ko Charisma i tohutohu ki a mātou he aha te aha, ka whakarite moeka, tohatoha pukapuka, kā whakariteka mā kā tamariki ērā momo kōrero. Ko te kaupapa here o te Kura Reo ko te Pakaka o te Ao Tuatahi me ka Pakaka i a Kāi Tahu i kā wā o mua. Ko te kaupapa hirahira ko tērā, nā te mea e whakarite ana ētehi whānau kia haere ki Karipori mō te kotahi rau tau whakamahara i kā hoia mō te rā ANZAC.

Ko kā hua i puta mōku ake, ka roko au i aku tamanui i aku mokopuna e kōrero Māori ana mai i te tīmataka o te hui ki tōna mutuka, koa ana a kākau katahi, tuarua ka puta kā kōrero o neherā mō kā pakaka, ka puta kā kupu hōu, me kā kupu Kāi Tahu. I akona kā waiata, ā, i whakaharatau i te haka pōwhiri mō Te Matatini. Tuatoru ko te whanaukataka, he rawe hoki tēnei momo hui hei tūtakitaki i kā whanauka. Ko te paika hoki e noho tahi ana te whānau katoa ki te kaupapa nei, kera mai, aki mai, hākui mai hākoro mai, pōua mai, tāua mai – i reira te katoa.

I te rā whakamutuka ka whakaari kā tamariki tētehi pakaka ki waeka i a Kāi Tahu me Kāti Kahukunu. Te mīharo o kā kākahu i whakaritea e rātou me ā rātou kanikani, te ātaahua o kā kupu o te waiata me te reo waiata o kā tamariki. Kei ruka noa atu koutou kā tamariki, me kā kaiako (a Komene mā) anō hoki.

Ko kā kaiwhakaako ko Hana O’Regan, rātou ko Lynne Te Aika, ko Charisma Rangipunga, ko Karuna Thurlow, ko Henare Te Aika, ko Justin Tipa.

E toru kā rōpū ako ko te Pūtake, te Puku me te Tihi. I whakarite waiata te rōpū pūtake e pā ana ki kā pakaka, te waiwaia hoki o kā kupu me te wainene o te rōpū. I tautohetohe te rōpū Puku ko te kaupapa “Ina e mōhio ana mātou o tērā wā ki ngā mea e mōhio ana tātou ināianei ka haere tonu atu ki te pakanga tuatahi o te ao?” Aheiha. I ruku hōhonu rātou, i rakuraku upoko rātou me te titiro ki roto i te whatumanawa, i te kākau mō kā kōrero. Kua puta kā akoraka i ako ai rātou i te wiki – te wani kē.

I tautohetohe hoki mātou te rōpū Tihi, ko te kaupapa “Ehara i te rahi o te pū te tohu o te toa”. Pakaru mai ana te whare i te katakata, he hātekēhe ētehi wā, he hōhonu ētehi wā. I te mutuka iho ko te reo te toa, ehara mātou i te rōpū whakaae!

Hei kōrero whakamutuka māku “kimihia, rakahaua tō tātou reo, kei roto i te mōhiotaka, te māramataka me te mātauraka o rātou mā kua moe, kua kū. Kaua e whakakōmau te ahikā whakamuramura, whakahīhī tō tātou reo.

“Ka whati te tai ka pao te Torea”
“Ka maumahara tonu tātou ki a rātou.” Nāku nā Gael Paki, Ngāi Tūāhuriri.

Ngāi Tahu Te Matau a Māui

E te whānau whānui, tēnā koutou. Tuatahi ki Te Runga Rawa. Tuarua ki a koutou te hau kāinga o Tuahuru, a tāua mā a pōua mā ngā ringa wera, ringa raupā, he mihi nui rawa atu ki a koutou katoa mō te manaaki, te tiaki i a mātou kua tae mai i ngā tōpito o te motu, mō tā tātou wānanga waiata, haka e pā ana ki tō tātou tipuna a Tahu Pōtiki, mō tā tātou hīkoi ki te Matatini ki Ōtautahi.

I wish to acknowledge the whānau, hapū, iwi of Tuahuru Marae for an awesome wānanga prior to our hīkoi to Matatini to tautoko Ngāi Tahu, Māmoe and Waitaha in welcoming nga Iwi Māori o Aotearoa ki Ngāi Tūāhuriri, Ōtautahi, ki Te Matatini. Tuatoru, ki a koutou, Liz, Puamiria, Terry, Arapata, Rowan, Tame mā in sharing your knowledge, wisdom with our rōpū Ngāi Tahu ki te Matau a Māui and our other taurahere rōpū in attendance. Nā Koro Te Whaiti.

Tuahuru Marae, Māhia 2015
In 2013 we held our first series of wānanga at Te Ara a Tāwhaki Marae, EIT Napier.

Our guests from Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu were Maani Stirling, Teone Sciascia and Arapata Reuben. Maani and Teone taught us two waiata and Arapata gave us an in-depth overview of the Blue Book and general knowledge of how the whakapapa unit works.

Now, two years later in January 2015 and with a few more wānanga in between, we held our final waiata wānanga before we leave for Te Matatini. He ngākau aroha. This time Puamiria Parata-Goodall, Arapata Reuben and our honourable Uncle Terry Ryan came along.

Uncle Terry led our whaikōrero. With a roll of the eyes and quick deep breath, he stood and spoke. Even though we couldn’t hear him well, the smiles, laughter and delight of the tangata whenua said it all. Koro Te Whaiti finished our mihi with his usual jolly humour.

We were also blessed with whānau from other taurahere rōpū – Gael and her daughter from Ōtaki, Vernice from Gisborne, and Brendon and Bernedette from Hamilton. Beautiful to be able to meet and greet more whānau this side of the strait.

We had a lot of fun but we also enjoyed learning a new haka pōwhiri and waiata with Puamiria, listening to kōrero from Arapata and Uncle Terry talking to the whānau. Whaea Liz also lead the troops off for a swim. None of this would have been possible without the awhi and aroha of the iwi of Rongomaiwahine.

Their hospitality did not stop once as they cooked and nurtured us during our time among them. They fed us with all their delicacies – kaimoana, meats and fresh veges. All the baking was homemade and would have outdone any shop or bakery by far. The love was tasted throughout all meals.

They went even further at our hākari and Te Rōpū Kapa Haka o Te Māhia performed for us. A few couldn’t make it but they still lifted the roof off the wharekai and performed the poi to ‘”Ko koe ko Rongomaiwahine’ with so much flare and grace that their tīpuna would have been proud of us. Our deepest and sincere love to all the whānau of Māhia for opening their hearts and arms to us.

So much could be told of our final waiata wānanga but I want to end on this.It was the bond of kinsmenship that was the highlight for many of us. The true feeling of being an iwi and the instant togetherness of the common bond we all share. Being Ngāi Tahu, being together and being grateful. He ngākau aroha … Kei te titiro whakamua mātou ki te haere mai i te papakāinga.
With love always whānau. Nā Jules Ryland.