Kai pai tamariki mā

He pēpi

A big mihi and congratulations to the White-Mason whānau on the arrival of their baby boy, Te Ngawari Te Ahikaa Kaitutakitaki I Te Ahikōmau Mason, who was born on 6 October at 11.25pm, weighing 6Ib 9oz.

His proud parents are Miriama White and Te Rua Mason and he is another moko for Tāua Bunty and Pōua Taiki Mason and Meriann and Richard White. He is also a sibling to Whakataerangi White, Henare Mason, Ani Mason and Te Whetu Marama Mason.

Much love whānau and we wish you all the best for the future.

School kapa haka competition

Te Ahurei o ngā kapa haka o Te Tai o Poutini was recently held in Hokitika. The judges for the competition were Te Rua Mason, Tahu Paki, Harata Te Aika and Maatakiwi Wakefield. Susan Wallace and Tihou Weepu held the stage all day and were fantastic Masters of Ceremonies.

All Te Tai o Poutini kura gathered in Hokitika for the annual kapa haka competition and they all rocked the stage with their fierce performances.

This year, there was only one competing section for the intermediate level. A big mihi to Hokitika Primary School for hosting and to all the judges. Everyone worked hard and made the day a big hit. Ngā mihi e te whānau.

Te Hui Ahurei Kapa haka o Te Tai o Poutini

We were privileged to provide sponsorship and tautoko (as part of the organising committee and the kaitautoko/kaimanaaki teams) at the Te Hui Ahurei kapa haka o Te Tai o Poutini competition, hosted by Hokitika Primary School on Thursday 29 October.

The hui was the culmination of months of hard work, countless volunteers and a love of kapa haka – not only by the host kura but by more than 600 tamariki and rakatahi who took the stage to represent their kura.

Although only the intermediate section was contested this year, there were a number of kura who participated, including Murchison Area School, who performed for only the third time ever. Congratulations to Westport South School who won the intermediate section.

It was an incredible day and despite the torrential rain leading up to the hui, Tamanui-te-Raki made his presence felt on the day and everyone we have spoken to or heard from loved the atmosphere, performances, kai and the overall day.

Te Ara Whakatipu 2015

In the last week of October, we embarked on our second Te Ara Whakatipu hīkoi. This hīkoi is an outdoor leadership programme for Kāi Tahu rakatahi and is based in the Hollyford Valley.

The purpose of this hīkoi is to reach out to our rakatahi and provide them with the opportunities to connect to themselves, their Kāi Tahu culture and heritage and Te Ao Tūroa, the natural environment.

This year, we attracted 15 fantastic rakatahi from all four corners of our fine country including some of our northern whanauka from Whangarei, Gisborne and Fielding, as well as some of our whānau from Christchurch, Hokitika, Kūmara, Queenstown, Dunedin, Hunts Beach and Nelson.

The hīkoi started at Te Kōawa o Takitimu Tūroa, just south of Manapōuri under the manaakitaka of Ōraka Aparima at their fantastic outdoor facility.

On the following day, the rakatahi rose early and travelled to Te Anau towards Piopiotahi, across the main divide and down the majestic Hollyford Valley. They then began the 22km walk.

Over the next five days, the group completed a mixture of activities including making hīnaki from supplejack, catching and cooking eel in harakeke (whina), visiting Ōpiu (traditional kāinga and home of chief Tūtoko and whānau), gathering kai moana, fire-lighting and team-building, as well as growing confidence and competence in the outdoors.

We also hosted some esteemed manuhiri including Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu Kaiwhakahaere Tuarua, Lisa Tumahai, who delivered an inspiring kōrero. She invited the rakatahi to share their ideas on how to engage with other rakatahi, as well as practising ‘tea-towel-tanga’ in the kitchen.

We were moved when Lisa unveiled the naming plaque, Te Herenga o te Ngākau Māhaki on our behalf, which now sits alongside the pounamu koha from Te Rūnanga o Makaawhio at the Martins Bay Lodge.

The rōpū of manuhiri also included Ōraka Aparima kaumātua, Dean Cole, who shared his life lessons; Dave Kennedy from Ngāi Tahu Tourism, who shared his career history and highlighted the opportunities available to our rakatahi; and Bard Crawford, an ex-Hollyford guide, who shared some of his knowledge and his experience as a guide.

The group bonding started on the first night and continued throughout the week culminating in some sad farewells and a strong sense of whanaukataka. Magic happens when our people come together in their own cultural space and this hīkoi was no exception.

We rely on the support and sponsorship from the office of Te Rūnanga and The Hollyford Track team to make this programme happen. Thank you to our governors and staff from Te Rūnanga, Te Here and the Hollyford Track /Ngāi Tahu Tourism for enabling this programme to take place once again.

To our wonderful team of whānau old and new who came together to make this happen – you are shiny stars – Mum/chief cook (Helen Rasmussen), son/lead-Kāi Tahu guide (Kahurangi Mahuika), fellow programme developer/deliverer (Mike Talbot), Rachel Forsythe and Kyle Davis (their general coolness), Travis Donoghue and the fab office ladies (team Hollyford Track), Donelle Manihera (admin/organising queen) and everyone else who had a hand in making this happen – thank you all so much.

Thank you also to all of the whānau who made it possible for their rakatahi to attend, because for some, it was at much expense.

If you are interested in participating in future programmes, please keep an eye out for adverts on the Ngāi Tahu website and in Te Pānui Rūnaka from August next year.

Finally to the rakatahi – you are the reason we do this mahi. Stay amazing, keep in touch and go forth and make your mark and contribution to yourself, whānau and iwi. Nā Kara Edwards.

Taumutu open day

“My moko and I had a very friendly day yesterday. We wish to pass our thanks on to whoever helped to make it such a pleasant, happy, enjoyable time.

“The kōrero by David on the old lake opening, the weaving, the poi-making and the friendly people who came and of course the entertainment – thank you all.” Comments from Les Wanhalla, who attended the open day.

These words pretty much sum up the open day we hosted at the marae on Sunday 1 November. We were privileged to welcome members of the local community, representatives of the Selwyn District Council, Police, Corrections, Waihora Ellesmere Trust, University of Lincoln, University of Canterbury, Environment Canterbury, Te Ara Kākāriki and Whakaora Te Waihora. It was also a great opportunity to meet whānau for the first time and to have the chance to sit and chat with our whanaunga, Arihia.

We were blessed with a beautiful day, good food, great company, fun activities and relaxing entertainment. It was certainly a lovely way to spend a Sunday on the marae.

To everyone who came along and shared the day with us, to those who worked hard behind the scenes making sure our manuhiri were well-fed, those who made sure the toilets were clean, moved chairs, tables and cleaned-up, and to those who kept us busy and entertained throughout the day, thank you. Without the many hands we could not have done it.

French Fest celebrations

What a privilege it was to be involved in this year’s French Fest, which if media coverage is an indication, it was a huge success. It has been described as the best French Fest ever and the weather played a big part.

All who supported the kaupapa and got involved made a difference in the community.

Ōnuku value our relationships and connections with our hapori (community). Thank you to Pip and Mel Tainui, who worked hard to strengthen our mātauranga values within the community and identified our connection to the area. Thank you also to Nigel Robinson for his work in producing the hāngī, and to our tamariki for their performance which encouraged an audience to the hāngī stall.

The Friday night Fête des Lumiêres Street Party brought a spectacular hologram light show of the Comte de Paris Ship, which was a major contribution from Pip Tainui. People were amazed at how the ship was able to move, and along with other festivities on the night, it was a crowd-pleaser.

The opportunity for mana whenua involvement in the reenactment of the French and German landing added real emotion and contributed to a joining of cultures. Seeing our descendants welcome our French descendants to our land was emotional for all involved.

Henare Robinson opened the event. He approached the opening with honor and upheld the mana (influence) of his hapū, hapori and iwi. Henare spoke alongside Christchurch City councilors and the French Ambassador. Thank you to Henare for his dedication and leadership to the kaupapa.

In an effort to bring new ideas and a Māori cultural influence to the community, the whānau day on Sunday included the Māori traditional game of Kī-o-Rahi. The game was taught to festival-goers and they also heard kōrero around history of the game. Our kids had a fantastic day and played from start to end.

Finally, working with the committee and producing such an event was a highlight and the memories will be for life. Nā Clayton Tikao.

Gymnastics update

Kia ora tātou, I am writing to give you an update on my gymnastics journey since Arowhenua kindly supported me for the Singapore competition I attended in November 2014.

During that time, I was at a lower level (step 9), whereas this year I have progressed up to step 10 where there are more difficult requirements that require consistent scores.

I experienced a challenging obstacle in early July when I tore ligaments in my left foot while performing a double somersault on my floor exercise. This discontinued my intense training for a month. I was unable to consolidate the difficult skills I had achieved prior and it stopped me from going to the following competition in late July. However, I continued to train to the best of my ability without overdoing it. I knew I had to keep a positive attitude and accept the fact that injuries happen. I had to rest to heal.

In early August, I made the decision to compete in Waitara, performing limited skills. I put a lot of pressure on myself because I needed to get the overall qualifying score to be able to compete at the national champs.

My hard work paid off and I got a qualifying score, enabling me to compete at the nationals in October. The nationals were not only the New Zealand championship competition but also a trialling competition to see whether I would be selected to compete in Hawaii in January 2016.

I will continue to train hard and keep a positive attitude to get this amazing opportunity. At present, I am training like I did before my injury occurred and my confidence has returned. If I do get the opportunity to represent New Zealand again I will be very appreciative and grateful, and I hope to do as well as I did in Singapore last year when I placed first on floor, third on vault and New Zealand was the first team overall. I will keep you all informed. E noho ora mai.
Nā Millie Manning.

Marae visits

It was a pleasure to welcome both Waituna and Makikihi Schools for a fun-filled day at the marae.

We are looking forward to hosting more school groups this year including Waimate High and Craighead.

We also recently provided the venue for the Thomas whānau reunion which was a great success.

Congratulations

Ōraka Aparima congratulates one of their rising stars from the Tukuwaha whānau, Anaya Morris for playing her first season of Ripper Rugby and being named the most valuable player in her team, Beachlands Maretai U7 squad.

Anaya, who averaged four tries per game was the only girl in the team but she was supported by all of her teammates. Well done. Nā Shona Morris (Nana).

Also, congratulations to Ira Martinac and his younger brother Skye Martinac, who were both selected to represent their school at the New Zealand Secondary School Clay Target Championships held in Hamilton. They would like to thank Whai Rawa for the support – it was much appreciated. Nā the Martinac whānau.

Kapa haka success

On Friday 30 October, a number of primary and intermediate tauira kapa haka rōpū around Murihiku took to the stage at Southland Stadium. Whānau and friends were on hand to tautoko the tamariki as they performed at Ngā Pūtangitangi.

The rūnanga would like to congratulate and acknowledge the performers of both the teina and tuakana rōpū who represented the Bluff Community School alongside their kaiako, Paddy Daintith and Kylie Lawson. The group had been practising at Te Rau Aroha Marae since August.

Competition results

Teina section Te Kura o Motupohue Teina – Bluff Community School
Kaiārahi Kōtiro – Kaiah Beaton – 1st – He Taonga Maumahara ki Ngā Pōua, Tāua o Te Kōhaka Reo o Murihiku trophy
Kaiārahi Tama – Lachlan Ferguson – 3rd
Taiaha – 2nd
Whakaeke – 1st – trophy
Mōteatea – 2nd
Waiata-ā-ringa – 1st – trophy
Poi – 2nd
Haka – 1st – Te Reo Rangatahi o Motu Pohue trophy
Whakawātea – 1st – trophy
Juniors – 1st overall – Hato Hohepa trophy

Tuakana section: Te Kura o Motupohue – Bluff Community School
Kākahu – 2nd
Kaiārahi Tama – Matt Johnson – 3rd
Rākau Taiaha – 1st – trophy
Whakawātea – 3rd
Waiata-a-ringa – 3rd
Seniors – 3rd overall.

Ko te whānau haereka ki Aoraki

I te 24-26 o Ono i haere ētahi whānau KMK ki Aoraki. Ko te reo Māori te kaupapa matua o te haereka. Ka haere kā whānau ki te tirotiro, ki te ako hoki i ētahi kōrero o nehe mō kā tūpuna me te whenua rā. I mātakitaki hoki mātou i kā whetū, ā, nā mātou te whiwhi i haere a Dr Rangi Matamua rātou ko Dr Hēmi Whaanga ko Hohepa Tuahine – ētahi tohuka kōkō raki, tohuka tātai arā whetū raki hoki. I kauhau a Rangi i te Pōhoroi. Nei rā te mihi manahau ki a rātou Te ope o te rua Matariki.

He mihi hoki tēnei ki a Iaean nāna te kōrero e pā ana ki te whenua, ā, ko ia hoki te kaiārahi o te hīkoi i te kōawaawa o Hooker. Te ātaahua hoki o te whenua. Ahakoa te roa o te hīkoi ki kā tamariki i eke rātou, ā, i haka rātou ki te mihi ki a Aoraki rātou ko ōna tāina. Ka wani kē.

I te Rātapu i haere mātou ki te hī ika. Harikoa katoa kā tamariki ki tēnei mahi. Kāore ā mātou ika, heoi, he rawe tonu te mahi. I noho mātou ki te YHA. He rawe te āhuru mōwai mō mātou. Kia ora Heike mā.

The KMK whānau spent Labour Weekend at Aoraki. We stayed at the YHA and had lovely hosts Heike, Jason and their staff. On the Saturday, Iaean shared some kōrero with us about the whenua and history – thanks Iaean. That night, Rangi shared kōrero with us about some of the stars. The weather was beautiful and great for stargazing in the middle of the night. Some of us even watched the All Blacks beat South Africa to make the final. Kāore he paika atu i te Kapa o Pako.

Sunday saw us trek the Hooker Valley. The kids loved it despite the distance and paid honor to Aoraki and his brothers with a haka. Later that afternoon we went fishing in the Ōhau Canals, and although it wasn’t our day for catching fish, we all enjoyed ourselves.

Ko te paika i tūhonohono ai kā tamariki ki kā tamariki, kā mātua ki kā matua i raro i te korowai o tō tātou reo Māori.

Twins leading in BMX biking

Congratulations to Ashley and Jamie Williams, who both represented New Zealand against Australia at Labour Weekend as part of the eight person senior male and female BMX test team. They are the first twins to represent New Zealand in the senior test teams, and this was a huge milestone for the sport.

The team consisted of the top four 14 and 15-year-old male and female riders selected to represent their country in the Trans-Tasman competition. Both Ashley and Jamie played a pivotal role in the team taking overall victory at the Taupō BMX track.

Ashley rode very well implementing great team riding strategies, which constantly outscored the Aussies over the five race competition.

Race one for Jamie was nothing short of intense rivalry between NZ and AUS as seven of eight riders crashed before continuing to claim a place and gain valuable points for the male team.

Both teams prevailed with a five-point win by the male team followed by a comfortable win for the girls. It was a great spectacle of BMX racing and very entertaining for the crowd. The return test match is in Nerang, Gold Coast Australia from 2-3 January 2016.

Judo success at nationals

Esther Papuni (Ngāi Tahu) who featured in the October issue of Te Pānui Rūnaka, recently competed at New Zealand Judo Championships in Tauranga. Esther,10, won her under 28kg division and she also came third in the open weight category.