Kia ora koutou, we have had an exciting month on the pā and we’ve hosted some amazing hui, including Portobello School, Te Muaupoko (the Peninsula schools’ Māori extension programme), and the New Zealand Historical Association’s biennial conference dinner. This was especially exciting, as Atholl Anderson gave the Wiremu Maihi Te Rangikaheke keynote speech on Exploring patterns of long-range migration in Māori tradition. This was a great opportunity for some whānau members to catch up with Atholl and reminisce on the Aramoana smelter protests of the early 1980s, the Waitangi Tribunal hearings at Ōtākou in 1987, and the carving of the poutokomanawa Pukekura in 1990.

Hākuiao

The final plastering of Hākuiao is underway. After waiting for the weather to warm up, the plasterer is onsite at the marae, plastering Moeraki pebbles onto the exterior of the new buildings, and she is looking tino ātaahua.

Kia ora koutou, we have had a pretty quiet month on the marae. We hosted Ngāi Tahu Property for their October board meeting and hosted a small function that gave Ngāi Tahu Property directors an opportunity to meet with key relationship partners in the city, including the Dunedin City Council, Otago Polytechnic, University of Otago, and Port Otago.

Our māra kai is growing well. A working bee held in October saw the garden weeded, and new vegie seedlings planted for the summer growing season. Judging by the growth of the rhubarb in the couple of months since it’s been planted, we will be eating a lot of stewed rhubarb and rhubarb crumble next winter. Next on the māra kai agenda is the creation of a herb and salad garden alongside Hākuiao. [Read more…]

Karawhiua

Tau kē! Congratulations to Connagh Wesley, who has successfully completed a six-week Limited Service Volunteers course at Burnham Military Camp. The course involved a 50km march through the Lake Sumner area, which had to be cut short due to being caught out in the storm that created devastation around Canterbury. After spending an extra night in the open surrounded by rising rivers and howling winds, her company was evacuated. Connagh said it was surreal returning to Burnham seeing the wreckage and knowing she had spent an unplanned night in the weather, armed only with a tent, a sleeping bag, and the skills she had been taught by her instructors. [Read more…]

Ngā mate

Kai te ua tou kā roimata, kei te taki tou te kākau mōu e te tāua e.
E moe Aunty Jean, e moe i te pai o te whakapono, e moe.

He whakamaumahara – In loving memory of Jean Ellen Duff, (nee Bragg) 20 May 1921 – 28 June 2013.

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Kotahi Mano Kāika (KMK) Ngāi Tahu reo awards

Haere tou kā mihi ki te tokorua i riro te taonga o te reo o Kāi Tahu mō Ōtākou. E ngā rau o tītapu, kai te mihi. Ki a Edward kōrua ko Tahu, mei kore kōrua, kai hea kē tātou tū ai?

Me mihi ka tika ki tō tātou whanauka nō te nōta, ki a Komene, i riro ia te paraihe hoki mō tōna tautoko i te reo o Kāi Tahu. Kai whea mai koutou.

He mihi to our reo champions from Ōtākou – Edward Ellison and Tahu Pōtiki. Even better, the Reo Awards were hosted here at Ōtākou and how fitting that Tahu received the Aoraki Matatū award on his papakāinga marae.

Hākuiao looked amazing decked out in lights, and everyone had a fantastic night. Well done, Paulette, Tori, and co – you did a tremendous job. [Read more…]

Congratulations

Ōtākou Rūnanga nominated one of our rakatahi, Talia Ellison, for an opportunity to be mentored by the Mayor of Dunedin, Dave Cull, as part of the Tuia – Mayoral Rangatahi Mentoring Programme, and we’re very pleased to announce that Talia was successful with her nomination! [Read more…]

He pēpi

Tama Taituha Parker was born on Monday 26 June at 1.30am weighing 9lb. A long awaited son for Daniel Parker and Kitty Brown. Moko for Chrissy and the late Kitt and Aroha.

Tama Taituha Parker and Kitty Brown.

He pēpi hou

He mihi nunui to Owen Lodge and Kimberley Wallace on the birth of Laylah Maddison Wallace-Lodge on 17 October, weighing eight pounds! Laylah is the first moko for Locky Smith, first great-moko for Moana Wesley, and first great-great moko for Ces and the late Tatane Wesley!! [Read more…]

Update on the wharekai

Our wharekai extensions are moving along at a great rate! The steel structure which forms the roof has been erected and we can see what it will look like when it’s finished. We have had three of our own working as sub-contractors on the build, so it’s good to get a bit of insider gossip. One comment I’ve heard is ‘with the beams (for the roof) in place, it’s like working inside a cathedral!’ [Read more…]

Tāhuri Whenua hui

On 14 July, Ōtākou was fortunate to host Nick Roskruge, Alby Marsh, and Richard Hunter from Tāhuri Whenua (national Māori vegetable growers), who came down to discuss their latest projects and lead discussion around Māori māra kai. [Read more…]