Kāi Tahu whānui, tēnā koutou katoa. Nei rā te mihi o Kāti Māhaki ki a koutou katoa. Nei rā hoki te mihi poroporoaki ki kā mate huhua kua hika mai, kua hika atu. Ki a rātou katoa kua hika, haere, haere, haere atu rā. Haere ki te taha o kā mātua tīpuna e tatari ana ki tua o te ārai. Moe mai koutou i te rakimārie. Rātou ki ā rātou, tātou anō ki a tātou. Tēnā anō tātou katoa.
Memorandum signing
In addition to the countless meetings and hui over the past month, we signed off our updated MOU with the West Coast DHB on 31 March. The agreement with Poutini Ngāi Tahu Rūnanga is a partnership and relationship document, which supports how we work together. Our manawhenua committee, Tatau Pounamu were there to support the signing.
Left to right; Back: Susan Wallace, Lisa Tumahai and Wayne Seeker. Front: Paul Madgwick, Peter Ballantyne (Chair West Coast DHB), Francois Tumahai and Elinor Stratford.
Electoral ballot process
By now most of you should have received ballot papers to vote for the seven rūnanga members who will make up the Makaawhio Appointment Committee, charged with selecting our Te Rūnanga o Makaawhio Representative to our tribal council, Te Rūnanga o Makaawhio. A record thirteen members were nominated.
The ballot process is carried out independently and closes on 22 April 2016. In line with the ballot process, last month we notified that our membership would be closed to new members from 18 April 2016 to 20 May 2016, and if required extended for a further period to 15 July 2016.
As the Postal Ballot process will close from 22 April 2016 there is no longer a need to close membership to new members beyond that date. Therefore, membership applications received after 18 April, will be held for processing on 23 April 2016.
The Makaawhio Appointment Committee membership will be advised once the outcome of ballot process is known.
Maramataka
Mark your calendars. If you need more information, please contact the office. Nau mai, haere mai.
Mr Explorer Douglas
A range of events will be happening in Hokitika over Queens Birthday Weekend to mark the 100th anniversary of the death of the Westland explorer, surveyor and map maker, Charlie Douglas. These events will include an exhibition, walks and a social get together at the Hokitika Regent Theatre on the Saturday.
Hui-ā-tau (AGM) 2016
Mark your calendars now – Saturday 8 October 2016.
Keeping in contact
Our recent mail-outs have resulted in a lot of returned mail, which means our efforts to ensure that our membership database is up-to-date still needs plenty of work. Members can help by contacting the office and checking we have correct address and email contact details for you, your tamariki and/or your mokopuna.
Facebook: makaawhio.blogspot.co.nz;
Twitter: @makaawhio; phone 03 755 7885
[email protected] or
[email protected]
Mā te Atua koutou e manaaki, e tiaki hoki. Mauri ora.