Ngā mate
Our sympathies go to all whānau who have experienced the passing of a loved one over the Christmas/New Year season, including Beatrice McCormack. Betty’s whakapapa includes the Taituha/Karaitiana and Korako Karetai whānau of Ōtākou. She was the much-loved mother of Lass, Gerry and Mike, and Tāua to a number of mokopuna and had resided in Auckland for many years.
Rā whānau
Your birthday marks the beginning of your next 365 day hīkoi around the sun. Enjoy the journey.
Congratulations
Our congratulations to everyone who achieved their educational and upskilling goals for 2014.
Tui Kent attended the wonderful Te Whare Wānanga o Ōtākou Māori pre-graduation ceremonies in December, where 177 Māori graduated. Tui was thrilled to see Hoani Langsbury graduate with a Post-Graduate Diploma in Science (Geography). He has an active interest in environmental issues, both marine and terrestrial environments. Hoani is seen here with his wife Rose, three daughters Rebecca, Hanna and Sarah, his father Kuao Langsbury and step-sister Mahana Paerata.
Hoani Langsbury and his whānau. Photo by Tui Kent.
Hone Tuwhare residency
On Sunday 9 November, rūnaka members Edward Ellison, accompanied by Paulette and Tumai went to Kaka Point on invitation from the Hone Tuwhare Charitable Trust, to support the establishment of the first Māori writer-artist’s residency, at Poet Laureate Hone Tuwhare’s former home.
Edward extended a welcome, on behalf of mana whenua, to the small gathering of Trust members, friends and family of Hone, including Governor-General Sir Jerry Mateparae, who is a patron of the Trust and the project.
He mihi nui ki a koutou katoa i whakarakatira ai i te kaupapa nei.
Edward Ellison, Sir Jerry Mateparae and Rob Tuwhare.
Office staff news
After a seven-year break from study, Te Rūnanga o Ōtākou manager, Rachel Wesley is returning to university to complete a post-graduate diploma in the arts (Archaeology). Rachel will kick off the academic year with attendance at a field school being held in the Nenthorn Valley, in Central Otago. Rachel will be undertaking dissertation research analysing silcrete blades from Nenthorn and the Otago Peninsula to infer patterns of mobility among our tūpuna during the early period. While studying, Rachel will remain manager of the rūnanga on a part-time basis. We’re pretty certain that by the end of the year, she’ll be able to teach us a thing or two about time management, having juggled work, research, and single-parenthood for the bulk of the year.
Conservation of a huia feather
Ōtākou is investigating the conservation of a huia feather held in our museum. Natalie is still interested in hearing from a Kāi Tahu student who may be interested in being involved, ie conducting a case study for a paper this year. Contact Natalie at the Ōtākou Rūnaka office.
Albatross/Toroa 2014/15 season
Nearly two and a half months have gone by since the first egg was laid at the beginning of November. The hatching phase has started, as the first egg laid started piping on 15 January. Thirty pairs of albatross have produced eggs.
To combat fly strike, the incubator set up in Port Otago’s signal station will be used for hatching eggs during the day (when flies are active) and the eggs returned to their nest at night (when flies are roosting). Copious amounts of peppermint essence will also be used at the nest to deter flies (The newly hatched chicks can still be fly-blown up until day three).
The image attached is of our current oldest bird, Blue-White-Yellow (BWY). He is 43-years-old and this photo was taken early January by Albatross Encounters in the sea just south of Kaikōura. Breeding birds at this time of the year can be distinguished from non-breeding birds by the pink coloured bill.
For northern royals, the white showing among the black feathers is also a feature of the (generally) older birds.
A 1000 km minimum round trip is within the normal range and distance for foraging birds from Taiaroa Head to travel during the incubation period.
Toroa (Northern Royal Albatross BWY).
Charter/Te Kawenata o Ngāi Tahu hui
Friday, 27 March, 5.30pm – Saturday, 28 March 2015, 5pm at Ōtākou Marae, Tamatea Road, Otago Peninsula.
Tēnā rā koutou katoa,
He mihi tēnei ki te iwi whānui o Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Māmoe me Waitaha hoki. Ka noho ki tēnā pito ki tēnā pito, koutou ko ngā hākoro ko ngā hākui hoki tae atu ki ngā tamariki me ngā mokopuna. Ka mutu, haere tou ngā mihi ki ngā Papatipu Rūnanga huri noa i te motu nei, ngā mema, ngā poupou o te Whare o Tahu, kei te mihi kei te mihi. Ki a rātou mā ngā mate kua hinga atu kua hinga mai, ki a rātou kua whetūrangatia, haere, moe mai, oki oki mai, kāti. Me huri ki a tātou te hunga ora ka tika.
Te Rūnanga o Ōtākou extend a warm invitation to members of Ngāi Tahu whānui who have an interest in discussing and reviewing the “Charter of Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu”, the underpinning principles, performance and nature of the “contract” between the “members” and Te Rūnanga.
The Charter of Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu was signed by the “Members” representatives at Riverton in 1993, Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu was created via legislation in 1996 and, almost 20 years later it seems timely to take stock and engage on the Charter that is in effect a contract.
(Clause 4. The Charter constitutes a contract between Te Rūnanga and the Members and between each of the Members and the other Members. It is enforceable by law by Te Rūnanga and each of the Members). The Members are each of the eighteen Papatipu Rūnanga.
Please email [email protected] for an agenda. Ōtākou Marae will be available for those wishing to stay on the Saturday night following the end of the hui. Nō reira, nau mai haere mai. Nā Donna Matahaere-Atariki, chair, Te Rūnanga o Ōtākou.