Kai pai tamariki mā

Fusion holiday programme

During the school holidays Waewae ran our first Fusion holiday programme for 30 tamariki at Arahura Marae.

Day 1
The programme started with a karakia to welcome everyone. They stood to do their pepeha and we sang some songs – the kids were so sharp they even learnt a new song. After lunch we taught them some Māori games.

Day 2
We were so lucky to have two beautiful kaimahi come in for the morning – Tihou Messenger Weepu and his lovely sister Katherine. They showed our kids some games such as Kī-o-Rahi, Takahia Kōhanga, Pūkana and a game called Zombie. Tihou has always been involved with our tamariki but this time it was a double combo. To have two kaiako that were pumped up and all about our tamariki was such an awesome site to see, so a huge mihi goes out to them both and we look forward to you both returning.

For the afternoon session the kids were split into groups and were given instructions to build a pā, this had to include a wharenui, wharekai, pātaka kai, māra kai, urupā, waka, hāngī pit, maunga and awa. After they had finished their plans we took them down to the awa on the sand and let them get creative and while there was a winning team at the end of the day everyone was a winner.

Day 3
Today was a day in the wharenui talking about tikanga and kawa around our marae. We also had guest speaker Te Rua Mason come and talk to us about ANZAC – what and why we celebrate this day. He also brought in some of the medals that had been awarded to his pōua and gave us a kōrero on why he received them. After the kōrero the kids walked over to the urupā and sang some waiata for all the men that served – such a beautiful morning spent together. It was wonderful to have Te Rua come and share his knowledge with us all – thank you so much Te Rua Mason for your time.

Day 4
Thursday was a mahi toi day, getting creative with kite making, mobiles and paintings based around what they had learnt the day before. Most of the tamariki decided to do paintings about ANZAC and all turned out to be beautiful. We also went over some kapa haka songs and played the games we had learnt over the week.

Day 5
On the last day of the holiday programme the kids had a fun day planned – everyone got to chill out in the Hokitika swimming pool, fish and chips for lunch and then to the movies – a very good way to end the programme.

Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Waewae would like to thank all of the kaiako that dedicated their time to make this holiday programme successful. To our cook Miriama Johnson thank you very much for the yum kai and to Hamiria, Nelly and Miriama White thank you for all your hard work and time spent making this happen for our tamariki – ngā mihi whānau.

ANZAC Day

The day dawned overcast with the threat of rain. Fortunately, the rain did not eventuate and we had a full house at our service, including a bus load of Australian tourists, who had learned about our service from one of the local cafés.

The service, led jointly by Venerable Richard Wallace, QSM and Father Michael Mahoney, included letters from West Coast ANZACs giving a poignant account of their experiences in their own words. After the acts of remembrance poppies were laid at our commemorative window before everyone headed outdoors for the wreath-laying ceremony at our flagpole Te Hokowhitu a Tū and included a wreath laid by local police.

We were thrilled once again to have the support of two serving representatives of the NZ Army participate in our service and raise the flag for us.

With the service over everyone made their way to our wharekai Poke, for kai and more kōrero. It was a wonderful occasion enjoyed by everyone and a fabulous way to honour and mark ANZAC Day. Ka maumahara tonu mātou ki a rātou.

Manawa Hou ki Wairewa

On the 26-29 April, Wairewa Rūnanga hosted the rakatahi programme, Manawa Hou.

This was a unique opportunity for 23 Kāi Tahu rakatahi, and five tuākana (all of whom whakapapa to Wairewa) to connect with Kāti Irakehu rāua ko Kāti Makō. The itinerary included a hīkoi up the mauka, Te Ūpoko o Tahumatā, visiting the Ōkana awa and seeing the 2,600 native trees planted there, a morning trip to Te Mata Hapuku (Birdlings Flat) to release tuna into the moana, visit to Ōruaka Pā and Poutaiki, marae service, awesome kōrero about the surrounding rohe, Kāi Tahu waiata, a new ngeri, and for some, support to safely explore the roles of karanga and whaikōrero.

The success of this year’s course was intricately tied to the support given by Wairewa – and especially, the time and expertise that Iaean Cranwell and Charisma Rangipunga gave the rōpū. We were fuelled with the
kai namunamuā from Ngaire Tainui, and we enjoyed the supervision and weaving skills of Whaea Linda.

On the final evening we had a big whānau night, which gave rakatahi the chance to explore the mahi of manawhenua. It included beautiful kai that they themselves spent the day preparing, served in kono that they had woven, and concluded with a presentation from rakatahi to whānau.

A big mihi to our rakatahi, tuākana group, and the Wairewa whānau for helping to create a successful hīkoi.

Manawa Hou is a four-day marae-based programme that connects rakatahi (aged 15–18 years) with our Kāi Tahu marae, whenua, kōrero, waiata and whānau. Manawa Hou is focused on developing personal attributes, and talks to the identity of rakatahi within the iwi – who they are (as an individual), as well as an active and proud iwi member. It is held annually and revolves around our different Papatipu Rūnanga.

Saturday sports

Sporting Saturday saw cousins Bailey Nutira-Gilmour (Hornby Rugby League) and Tamanuhiri (Tama) Parata (Halswell Hornets) play opposing sides for their 8-year-olds’rugby league game. Following an awesome game, we just couldn’t let them leave without the requisite photo opportunity.

Celebrating the opening of Amiria Puhirere

It was a perfect day on 9 April, to celebrate the opening of Amiria Puhirere. As our spirits soared to the summits of Tuhiraki and back to Ōteauheke, we remembered our great-granny Amiria Puhirere, daughter of Wiremu Harihona Karaweko and Mere Whariu. Amiria gave us a legacy of efficient leadership, retained today by her whānau, who continue to breathe new life and honour into the landscape that is Ōnuku, Te Pā o Rākaihautū.

The dedication and leadership shown by those who fought hard in the past, reflects the building we have today, enhancing the essence of great change and development. Walking into the building you’re overwhelmed by the building’s magnificence and stature; and it warms my heart as much as standing out on the deck with the sea breeze on your face feeling embraced by the physical and spiritual elements of our natural world. Moving into a new chapter, it is all about connection.

To complement the finishing touches on the building, Uncle Bruce Rhodes kept a stern eye on the building process, making himself known to the new community of Ōnuku. He was not alone in welcoming the new builders and contractors who soon got to know the locals of Ōnuku and had the pleasure of spending time in the area – lucky them. In addition, the new kitchen has been a grand improvement and we have improved together to ensure it’s been ‘ business as usual’ – no small feat.

The day of the celebration, whānau of Ōnuku put their best foot forward and had a day they fully enjoyed, testimony in the beautiful photos that captured the energy and spirit of the day. From the unveiling of Amiria Puhirere headstone, the welcoming onto the whenua, the beautiful kai, sound of waiata into the moving speeches, our mauri gave shape to the day. Just as important were the tamariki and mokopuna.

There is nothing more inspiring and exhilarating than to bear witness to pā kids, who know they belong to the marae. Our tamariki moved from one kapa haka performance to the next, before moving on to serve manuhiri in the dining room. From wake up to clean up, they were fierce and we see our future is strong.

This journey has not been without its challenges and hard work. There are so many people to thank for their support throughout the development. To create a future that is sustainable, starts and ends with the hearts of our people. It was wonderful to see the many beautiful vibrant faces – many who had shaken off the dust and put on a tie to come and to share in such a joyous moment in history – a moment that brought tears of admiration and completion to the eye of our Ōnuku Rūnaka chair, Riki Tainui, or was that dust? Whatever it was WE, the whānau, understand it was worth its ‘wait’ in gold. Nā Mel Tainui.

He pēpi

Chris Dickson and Cheryl Sim Dickson welcomed their second daughter, Charlotte Romea Rui Lin Dickson born in Miri, Sarawak on 16 April. Rui Lin means Beautiful Jade in Chinese. A welcomed little sister for Sophia.

Our congratulations to other whānau who have welcomed a pēpi.

Titiro ki ngā tamariki katoa

This April we held the first wānanga of many. Our rangatahi ran this to find out what our tamariki and rangatahi would like to learn and do on the marae.

We spent most of our time down at the river, which was a hit with everyone, even in the darkness of night. We were lucky enough to have Sophie Allen from Working Waters Trust come and join us. She shared her wealth of knowledge about the river along with a few tips on catching tuna and inaka. When we returned in the morning our nets were full to the children’s delight. We spent the rest of our short time together learning waiata, watching a movie on the big projector, learning paki whitu, playing outdoors and bonding over a card game or two.

We tried to teach tikanga every opportunity we had, which of course included the tamariki getting their hands squeaky clean in the sink.

Our tamariki/rangatahi are busting to come back for another noho, they just about planned the next one before we left. Nā Samantha Sykes.

Taiaha wānanga

Kāti Huirapa rūnaka is again hosting the annual taiaha wānanga from 3-6 June. The weekend involves haka, waiata, stories, exercise, whakawhanaungatanga and learning about the taiaha. The wānanga is for all males from young to old, and we encourage fathers to bring their sons.

For registration forms and further information please contact either Waiariki Parata-Taiapa 03 465 7300, email: [email protected], or Jake Matheson 03 465 7651, email: [email protected]

Registrations close 1 June (limited to 80 people).

Wildlife Festival

On 22 April a pōwhiri was held on behalf of Araiteuru Rūnaka to welcome the inaugural gathering of the Wildlife Festival in conjunction with Tourism Dunedin, the first festival of its kind for Dunedin. Hoani Langsbury is our representative on the management group to promote the Otago Peninsula as a very significant habitat for wildlife.

Art class activity

A number of students from Bluff Primary School attend art classes run by Te Rūnaka o Awarua on Mondays and Wednesdays during the school term. The tutors like to do special activities that coincide with the likes of Easter, Mother’s Day etc.

For the final class of Term 1, Rachael Jenkins organised biscuit baking so the students could decorate them before indulging.

If you have a child that is interested in attending these classes please contact Tina or Gail at the rūnaka office for more information.