Settlement Day mahi

We would also like to acknowledge staff from the office of Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu who were at Taumutu undertaking clean up jobs as part of the Settlement Day commemorations, some were able to be persuaded to come and assist tamariki with producing their mōkihi – all efforts were greatly appreciated.

Thomas Horton weeding at the urupā.

Thomas Horton weeding at the urupā.

Te Rūnanga staff ready for mahi.

Te Rūnanga staff ready for mahi.

Congratulations

Rachel Robilliard was admitted to the bar at a ceremony in the High Court in Auckland.

In April she graduated from the University of Canterbury with a Bachelor of Law and Bachelor of Science in Geography and Environmental Science. During her time at university, Rachel contributed to many voluntary groups. She was tuakana with the Māori Development Team, UC from 2013 to 2015. In this role she mentored first year Māori students and assisted with events.

Rachel was tumuaki of Te Putairiki, the UC Māori Law Students’ Association in 2015, Tumuaki Tuarua in 2014 and Apiha Pānui in 2013; and the 2012 Selwyn delegate to the Mayors’ Taskforce for Jobs Rangatahi Leadership Programme. She is now assisting with the mahi for this kaupapa.

She was selected to attend the Aspiring Leaders’ Forum in 2012 and was a Ngāi Tahu delegate at the First Nations Futures Institute, Stanford University in 2014.

Rachel was an intern with the Volunteer Army Foundation in 2013-2014. She has been a UC Host Communications and External Relations representative; and has been the recipient of a number of scholarships and awards.

Rachel is working in an environmental law position for Russell McVeagh in Auckland.

Te Taumutu Rūnanga is missing her contribution as our minutes secretary and as an active member of the rūnanga.

Rachel Robilliard – recently admitted to the bar.

Rachel Robilliard – recently admitted to the bar.

Success for young rugby fan

Jayda Siyakurima (Teihoka whānau) is rugby mad. She has just made the Canterbury School girls’ rugby development team and is looking forward to representing her province. Jayda currently plays club rugby for the Southbridge under 13 team, which is combined with Irwell and Dunsandel and the Cathedral College school girls’ team. Jayda has been playing rugby for just on five years and has no intention of giving up. She is passionate about the game and she enjoys playing in all her teams. She hopes to further this in the future, as long as she can continue her education and play rugby at the same time Jayda is looking forward to her first game in August for Canterbury.

Jayda Siyakurima – future rugby star.

Jayda Siyakurima – future rugby star.

Hororātā Highland Games 2015

An estimated 10,000 people attended the fifth Highland Games in Hororātā on Saturday 7 November.

Proudly dressed in kilts or sporting tartans, people turned out to celebrate their Scottish heritage, to hurl haggis, toss poles, lift stones, dance, play the bagpipes and to run the kilted mile.

Our whānau of Ngāi Te Ruahikihiki ki Taumutu were there to help welcome the chief and to add to the vibrancy of the day.

Dressed in full kapa haka uniform our tamariki performed a rousing haka pōwhiri and Savanah and Justice cleansed the ceremony with fire poi and a fire stick. No one would have known that 10 minutes earlier it was just about all off because one of the littlest of the crew didn’t have a piupiu and a tantrum was brewing.

Once we had sorted a piupiu trade with one of the other kids and wrapped the smallest piupiu around his tiny waist about four or five times, Master Pura conceded to standing in the row and did his haka – crisis averted – helped of course by a last minute bribe of ice creams all round they went out and were ‘O’ for awesome.

We thoroughly enjoyed the day and the connections some of us Māori-Scots made with our Scottish roots. Looking forward to next year’s festivities.

Te Waihora update

The lake is currently closed to the sea. The calm average level of the lake as recorded on Friday 30 October was 0.79m.
 
Q: What was the lake level reading before this one?
A: 0.76m, calm average, Thursday 22 October 2015.
 
Q: At what levels can the lake be opened to the sea at this time of year?
A: At this time of year the minimum level the lake may be opened is 1.05m.
 
Please do not hesitate to contact me, or Verity Kirstein, if you have any questions. Nā Melissa Shearer, engineering advisor, planning and strategy, Environment Canterbury; phone 027 562 9969; or email [email protected]

Congratulations

On 9 March, Kathryn Jones (Teihoka whānau) and Daniel Flutey (Flutey whānau) tied the knot after 22 years. The wedding was held at Kate and Dan’s whare and then to the hall afterwards.

The weather was fantastic and everything ran smoothly. Dr Terry Ryan was the celebrant at the wedding; he kept it fun and light-hearted.The wedding party was made up of Kate and Dan’s children, Dan’s brother, Tim, Kate’s cousin, Fiona, and Fiona’s grandson, Cobi who was the ring bearer.

Kate and Dan would like to thank everyone for attending and making the day and night full of laughter and good times. Well done Kate and Dan – its about time.

Kate and Dan surrounded by whānau at their wedding ceremony.

Kate and Dan surrounded by whānau at their wedding ceremony.

The happy couple.

The happy couple.

Land blessing

The sound of karakia and hīmene filled the morning air at Leeston on Saturday 29 August. Led by Matua Henare Edwards, a small delegation of Taumutu kaumātua joined Mayor Coe and the Leeston community to bless the vacant land on Flannery Street.

The land is destined to be used for the Leeston Vintage Village, a 14-bedroom social housing unit for the elderly – a much needed facility for the community.

Gentle rain fell while we sang the hīmene and Mayor Coe, Uncle Pat and others took turns to dig and turn the first sod. It was a special moment. Land preparation and construction will commence soon.

Uncle Pat, Mayor Coe and Matua Henare Edwards.

Uncle Pat, Mayor Coe and Matua Henare Edwards.

Congratulations

The Whakamana Māori students graduation was held at Lincoln University on Thursday, 23 April.

Daphne O’Connell, Aunty Marg Jones, Uncle Pat Nutira and Liz Brown (kaikaranga) supported the university and graduating students at this special occasion.

Te Taumutu Rūnanga members with one of the graduates.

Te Taumutu Rūnanga members with one of the graduates.

Artists’ workshop

Students from Southbridge School, Leeston School and Ellesmere College recently participated in a two day “Gifted and Talented Artist” workshop held at Ngāti Moki Marae. Liz Brown led the workshop and she was assisted by Fiona Sloan of Te Taumutu Rūnanga, and Wendy Huriwai, Southbridge School Deputy Principal.

Each student participated in weaving harakeke, completing tukutuku and painting kōwhaiwhai panels. These skills were then combined to create a mural commemorating and drawing upon the work of the late Cath Brown. The mural now embellishes the Cath Brown Memorial Art cupboard.

Te Taumutu Rūnanga members with one of the graduates.

Te Taumutu Rūnanga members with one of the graduates.

Rā whānau

On 20 November, Maureen Mita (née Martin), celebrated her 80th birthday with whānau. Nā Ann Martin.

Congratulations

Congratulations to Bridget (Biddy) Robilliard (Brown whānau), who graduated with a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture, First Class honours, at the recent Lincoln University graduation ceremony. Bridget would like to thank Te Taumutu Rūnanga and Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu for the support she received during her studies. Bridget has enjoyed six months working for Selwyn District Council and is now employed by Kamo Marsh Landscape Architects in Christchurch (who have been responsible for the landscaping work around Wigram Skies).

From left, Rose Brown, Rachel Robilliard, Bridget Robilliard, Robin Robilliard and Liz Brown.

From left, Rose Brown, Rachel Robilliard, Bridget Robilliard, Robin Robilliard and Liz Brown.

He pēpi

Extremely proud parents Arahia (nee Nutira) and Joseph Maea, along with big brother Marino, welcome Malachi Joseph Terepai Upokoina Maea into the whānau. Malachi, who was born rather quickly on 16 March, weighed in at 8lbs 7oz. He is another moko for Sally Nutira.

Mariah Johnson (Teihoka whānau), welcomes baby Kaine to the whānau, born 19 March.  Kaine is the first grandchild for Hohepa Johnson and a great-grandson for Aunty Ake Johnson. [Read more…]

Tū Toka Tū Ariki wānanga

Tū Toka, Tū Ariki wānanga – wāhanga kirihimete. From 19-22 Hakihea at Te Awhitu, Taumutu.

Me mahi ngātahi te taiaha me te mahi toi ( mau rākau, kohatu, raranga, mahinga kai / ika ) – tāne ora whānau ora.

Nā Te Mairiki Williams.

Taiaha Wānanga - changing lives.

Taiaha Wānanga – changing lives.

Congratulations

Taumutu Rūnanga wish to congratulate Angela Wanhalla on being awarded one of ten Rutherford Discovery Fellowships.  These prestigious fellowships are awarded to New Zealand’s top early to mid-career researchers by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, to develop and foster future leaders in the New Zealand science sector.  Each Fellow receives a funding package of $800,000 over five years, to allow them to undertake important research that will be valuable for New Zealand’s future.

The fellowships are intended to attract and retain New Zealand’s most talented early-career researchers and encourage their career development in this country.  Angela received her fellowship for research entitled: “Marriage: The Politics of Private Life in New Zealand.”  Taumutu Rūnanga is very proud of Angela and we wish her much success for her future research.
Well done Angela.

Congratulations

Congratulations to Craig Pauling, who paddled in the Koroneihana Waka Regatta at Tūrangawaewae, on the Waikato River, on 24-25 August – the Tahu taking on the Taniwha. Well done Craig, who was placed third. More results can be found at [Read more…]

Ngā mate

Ka nui te mihi i runga i ngā tini āhuatanga o te wā.

Master Taiaroa (Bubu) Tuatini-Love passed away on Thursday 2 May in Waikato Hospital surrounded by whānau. We had his tangihanga at Te Puke Marae in Raetihi. We are so blessed to have had Taiaroa in our lives for eight short years. He showed and taught us all the true meaning of strength, aroha, and determination. He was a real fighter, right to the end. [Read more…]

Rā whānau

James Musson 5 May
Bailey Nutira – Gilmour 13 May
Jahkeil Nutira 17 May.

Historical research

For those of you who are trying to study the history of Te Waihora (Lake Ellesmere) the Christchurch City Libraries are a great place to start. [Read more…]

Welcome to the whānau

At Christchurch Women’s Hospital on 2 February, Awhina Tuatini and Alaga Tavita welcomed Loua Te Kapuarangi-Kerei Tuatini-Tavita, weighing 7.4lbs. Loua’s beautiful names come from Loua (Alaga’s grandfather’s name), Te Kapuarangi (Āwhina’s great-great-grandfathers name) Kerei (Awhina’s father’s and grandfather’s names). [Read more…]

On 11 October Te Taumutu held their school holiday tamariki day. We always start with karakia and then the tamariki were asked to do their mihimihi, which they are now adding more to. Our lovely facilitator, Liz Brown, explained to the tamariki what they would be doing– manu taratahi – kite making! [Read more…]

Tū mai te tapu, te kanohi matakuikui a Hine Kōanga, te whakaoho, te puāwaitanga o te rau aroha ki a tātou ōku hiri nui, ōku hiri rahi, tātou rā ngā manu koekoeā,kua tuituia te raupuhipuhi ki te ihu o tēnei waka o Aoraki me ōna pūkanakana mai rā ki a tātou. [Read more…]

On 12 July our tamariki greeted us for our tamariki day held every school holidays at our whare, Moki. We began the day with karakia and waiata. The tamariki then introduced themselves through their mihi. Our awesome facilitator, Aunty Liz Brown, then explained to the tamariki what they would be doing, making taonga. We went down to the beach and collected items for our day. The tamariki then went back to the marae to start making their treasures. It’s amazing how much you can do with our flat stones we get from Kaitorete. [Read more…]