Tēnā anō tātou katoa

The weather gods have continued to send us a mixed bag of weather here on Poutini. From hazy summer days and sunburn, to gentle showers and heavy rain and a few spectacular thunder and lightning displays. Sadly the deafening sound of the cicadas are fading – a signal that Raumati is also fading.

We have had another full on month here on Poutini. We have begun the process for our Electoral Ballot and Makaawhio Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu Representative for nominations for the committee, and applications for the TRoNT Representative. This date will have passed by the time the magazine comes out. Always check dates against publication date.

If a postal ballot is required, the following formal notification is made in line with 5 (d) of the Te Rūnanga o Makaawhio (TRoM) Rules:

That TRoM membership will be closed to new members from 18 April to 20 May 2016, noting a further potential extension of the date to 15 July 2016, if required to allow the completion of postal ballot process. That new membership applications received during this period will be held, until membership reopens on the day following the conclusion of the postal ballot process but no later than 15 July 2016.

Last month we welcomed new staff member, Paul Wilson to the recently created Kairuruku ngā rawa Makaawhio or Makaawhio Resource Management Coordinator. Paul’s role is quite broad but essentially he will be co-ordinating the implementation and managing the review of our pounamu management plan, including strategies to protect pounamu and driving the completion of, and then implementation of the Makaawhio Natural Resources Plan.

Paul will be a familiar face and name to many. He has been involved in many roles at the rūnanga since its inception including his position as a former Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu Representative. One of our ahi kā whānau, he is synonymous with Hunts Beach and will be based in an office at the Jacobs River School. Nau mai, hoki mai.