E ngā mate huhua o te motu, ka tangihia koutou. Hanatu atu rā ki te kāinga wairua i te rangi, ki ngā mātua tīpuna, ki te korōriatanga o Te Atua. Okioki mai rā koutou. Rātou te hunga wairua ki a rātou. Tātou te urupā kanohi o rātou mā ki a tātou. E te iwi whānui, tēnā rā koutou katoa. Nāia te mihi kau atu i runga i ngā tini āhuatanga o te wā.

Āraiteuru nā koutou te iwi i manaaki mai, ā, ko koutou a runga. Kātahi nā te hui ko tēnā. Mei kore te whakatangetange riaka, mei kore te mahi ngātahi e kore rawa te Hui-ā-Iwi i eke panuku, i eke tangaroa. Ka nui te owha, ka nui te whakamiha.

I would have to say 2015 has been an exhilarating and exciting year. It started off with a big celebration with Te Matatini and finished off with another big celebration – Hui-ā-Iwi.

Hui-ā-Iwi was a great way for us to celebrate our Ngāi Tahutanga. It was such an awesome hui and was enjoyed by all who attended. The hui was jam-packed with performances, wānanga, forums and activities, including Shotover Jet rides and bus tours around Dunedin. I particularly enjoyed the kaumātua breakfast where once again I got to wear a pinny and serve tea, much to the amusement of our cheeky kaumātua. The Hākui exhibition, Ngāi Tahu Reo Māori Awards, and Ngāi Tahu Toi Māori Exhibition were also stand out events, and we were spoilt for choice at the kai and information stalls.

One very important component of Hui-ā-Iwi was the launch of the Ngāi Tahu Pēpi Packs. These packs contain beautiful clothes for pēpi, books, a piece of pounamu and a scroll with baby’s whakapapa, which is all placed in a wahakura (flax pod). We have received only positive feedback from whānau, other iwi and Māori organisations across the motu. Congratulations to the Mātauranga team for developing this amazing resource.

No wrap-up of the hui would be complete without mentioning the Showcase and concert. I continue to be astounded at the talent we have within the iwi. I thoroughly enjoyed all the performances and mihi to each performer and groups for an awesome time and show. Also to our Te Ika a Māui relations, Troy Kingi, Rob Ruha, Ria Hall, Maisey Rika, Beau Monga and the Modern Māori Quintet, thank you for coming down to celebrate our hui with us. Ngā manaakitanga ki a koutou katoa.

Also I would like to take this opportunity to mihi and celebrate Tā Tipene O’Regan’s achievement in receiving the Aoraki Matatū Supreme Award at the Ngāi Tahu Reo Māori Awards. Tā Tipene received the award for his contribution to te reo Māori and Ngāi Tahutanga revitalisation. E te rangatira, nāia te iwi e whakamānawa atu nei.

Moeraki, Puketeraki and Ōtākou, you did us proud! Thank you so much for hosting a very successful event and we look forward to future events in your takiwā. Ka nui te mariri ki a koutou katoa o Āraiteuru.

We have had so much to celebrate as an iwi this year including the development of iwi initiatives and projects to support and enable our whānau.

Therefore I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank all the staff of Te Rūnanga Group for their commitment and hard work throughout the year. On behalf of the iwi we truly appreciate the work you do for the people – e rere nei ko te whakamiha me te aroha ki a koutou.

On a final note whānau, enjoy your summer break. Look after each other, enjoy quality time with whānau and friends and above all be safe.

Meri Kirihimete me ngā mihi o te Tau Hou ki a koutou katoa. Kia tau te rangimārie me ngā manaakitanga o te wāhi ngaro ki runga i a koutou.

Mark.