Ōnuku Marae is common like other marae with a long custom of preserving fish, tuna, both fresh water and marine in a traditional way. We have renewed our old whata to the new health and safety standards of today. This will encourage the younger up and coming generations to participate in their Mahinga Kai practices, such as setting nets, cleaning fish and tuna and preserving kai. This will be an important part of keeping some of their cultural practices alive now and in the future. The building of the whata has been achieved by using local marae members own resources, to achieve a safe environment so generations to come can participate in a way consistent with the knowledge held by the local whānau. A big thanks goes out to Riki King (concrete plasterer), Ron Rhodes (builder), Jim Shilton (digger driver) and our kaumātua. [Read more…]

Ōnuku Marae hosted 96 volunteers from the Student Volunteer Army wanting to support our marae and community for two days in September. Ōnuku whānau felt privileged to be able to share our cultural heritage with the next generation of New Zealand’s young professionals. We now have plans to make this an annual event for the Student Army. A big thank you must go to the organisers who made this happen and to our whānau who also volunteered their time and worked tirelessly… great effort and well done. [Read more…]

Our very own Kori Millar (daughter of Rei Tainui, Ōnuku) received the Meiko Restaurant Manager of the Year award at the Asia Awards of Excellence ceremony held in Singapore. The awards celebrate and honour outstanding individuals and companies for their food, wine and service. The 34 award recipients were acknowledged for their contribution to the industry and for continuing to shape Singapore as a word-class gourmet food and tourism destination. This is a stunning achievement for Kori and we are so proud of you. [Read more…]

Notice of annual general meetings

Notice of Ōnuku Rūnanga Inc. Soceity and Te Kāhui o Ōnuku Charitable Company Ltd. annual general meetings. To be held on 9 October, 10am, at Ōnuku Marae. Our general meeting will follow the AGMs.

Agenda items:

  • Appoint an auditor for 2016/17 (for Ōnuku and Te Kāhui)
  • To present and accept the audited financial accounts for the year ending 30 June 2016 (for Ōnuku and Te Kāhui)
  • Approve the annual report of the Officers (for Ōnuku)
  • Election of the dept. chairperson and secretary for Ōnuku Rūnanga Inc. Soc. and dept. chairperson, secretary and treasurer for the board of directors of Te Kāhui Ōnuku Charitable Company.

Nomination forms for all roles will be made available upon request to the office or by emailing: [email protected]. Forms must be returned to the office no later than 5pm on 3 October 2016.

We recently held a wonderful pamper day for whānau at the marae. There were activities for all ages, from 8 to 80 years young. The vinyl nails were a popular activity (as Aunty Polly exhibits) as well as the make-up table and full-body and facial massages – there was even the option of spray tans for the more adventurous. [Read more…]

Since Brooke was 12-years old it has been her dream to compete at Wimbledon. She has already travelled extensively with her tennis and last year attended a tennis camp on the East Coast of the USA in the state of Massachusetts.

Brooke was there for eight weeks where she trained every day, and competed in two six-hour long tournaments. [Read more…]

On 22 April, Dame Margaret Bazley and her fellow commissioners from Environment Canterbury visited us at Ōnuku Marae for a hui. This will be Dame Margaret’s last visit to Ōnuku in this capacity. It has been a real privilege over the years to host the commissioners, as it has strengthened the relationship between ECAN and Ōnuku. [Read more…]

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. [Read more…]

The Ōnuku Rūnanga Appointment Committee formally invites applications for the Ōnuku Rūnanga Representative and Alternate Representative to Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu.

The Ōnuku Rūnanga Appointment Committee is responsible for appointing the Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu Representative and Alternate Representative positions in line with clause 16(2)(c) of Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu Act 1996.

Applications close 5pm on the Friday, 10 June 2016.

For an application form, including eligibility criteria, please email: [email protected] or telephone: 03 381 2082 or 021 310 053 to request the forms by post.

Chairperson
Ōnuku Rūnanga Appointment Committee

Chantelle and Jaryn Tainui were both chosen for the 6-a-side indoor netball national tournament held in Auckland on 10 March.

Brother and sister, Jaryn and Chantelle both play for the Hornby Titans Silver team, the club they represented at the national tournament held at Action Indoor Sports in Manukau.

Chantelle commented ”Our team went up there as a completely new team, we had only been training together since the beginning of the year. Most of the teams up there competing have been playing together for years, so we had the disadvantage of being new – the competition up there was really good and quite hard, but we certainly stepped up.” [Read more…]

On 19-23 January myself and a number of other Ngāi Tahu descendants embarked on a journey. We were given the opportunity to improve our te reo, learn about Kāi Tahu history and stories, visit pā sites and participate in a number of awesome activities. Some of these activities included whale watching, kayaking, taiaha, creation of a waiata and haka and many more. Kura reo Rakatahi provided me with knowledge of my iwi, amazing experiences and the chance to meet life-long friends. To anyone who is of Ngāi Tahu descent looking to either learn or improve their te reo or learn more about where they come from, I highly recommend going to the next Kura reo Rakatahi – it’s an amazing opportunity and something that will never be forgotten.
Nā Hannah Clark. [Read more…]

Wharekai opening

In the November issue of Te Pānui Rūnaka, Ōnuku Rūnanga said the opening of our new wharekai would be on 6 February 2016 – the same day as the Treaty Fest – this was incorrect. Ōnuku Rūnanga will be holding a hapū blessing of the new wharekai before the 6 February 2016, then later in the year will be holding a celebration hui of our wharekai. Nā Rik Tainui, chairperson, Ōnuku Rūnanga.

What a privilege it was to be involved in this year’s French Fest, which if media coverage is an indication, it was a huge success. It has been described as the best French Fest ever and the weather played a big part.

All who supported the kaupapa and got involved made a difference in the community.

Ōnuku value our relationships and connections with our hapori (community). Thank you to Pip and Mel Tainui, who worked hard to strengthen our mātauranga values within the community and identified our connection to the area. Thank you also to Nigel Robinson for his work in producing the hāngī, and to our tamariki for their performance which encouraged an audience to the hāngī stall. [Read more…]

The culture and identity portfolio in conjunction with the Ngāi Tahu Archives team is pleased to announce the commencement of on oral histories project.

The aim is to create a record of life histories of kaumātua as well as histories of the marae from those who were involved, and to have it archived for future generations. Mō tātou, ā, mō kā uri ā muri ake nei.

We are currently seeking expressions of interest from those who would like to participate, or nominations from whānau of anyone you think we should talk to (or those who are a bit camera shy). [Read more…]

Wharekai opening

This is an invitation to the opening of our wharekai, Amiria Puhirere on 6 February 2016 (confirmed time to come in the next issue of Te Pānui Rūnaka). This will be followed by the Ngāi Tahu Treaty Festival and a hāngī lunch at 1pm. Nau mai, tauti mai.

Ōnuku news

Ōnuku Rūnanga held their annual general meeting on Sunday 4 October and we would like to inform whānau that Rik Tainui was appointed as chairperson of Ōnuku Rūnanga Inc Soc and Pip Tainui was appointed chairperson of Te Kāhui o Ōnuku Charitable Company.

We would like to congratulate and welcome both Rik and Pip into their new roles. At the same time we would like to thank Donna Tainui and Meri Robinson for their countless hours of mahi, keeping the fires burning over the past few years.

Tēnā koutou, Ōnuku Rūnanga would like to advise that they will be holding their annual general meeting (AGM) on 4 October at 10am. The venue of the AGM has been confirmed as Room 10, Akaroa Area School, Akaroa.

The key agenda items will be as follows:

  • Election of the chair
  • Present and accept the financial budgets for 2014/15
  • Appoint an auditor for 2015/16
  • Approve the annual report of the officer
  • Confirm dates of general meetings for 2015/16.

Nomination forms for executive chairperson will made available upon request to the secretary: [email protected] or phone 027 222 2825.

The Ōnuku Rūnanga Inc Soc general meeting will begin immediately after the AGM. All whānau are welcome. Ngā mihi nui, Donna Tainui.

Onuku logo

New address

Please be advised the post office box address for Ōnuku Rūnanga has changed. If you wish to send physical mail to us, send it to Ōnuku Rūnanga Incorporated, PO Box 32-116, Linwood, Christchurch 8147.

Congratulations to Josh Blair, who received the Te Ngātoroirangi Te Awara award at his senior prizegiving, on 3 November. It is an award presented to a senior Māori male student in recognition of overall academic success. [Read more…]

Congratulations

Bonnie Robinson, daughter of Nige Robinson recently graduated with a Diploma of Floristry.

Bonnie has displayed a natural talent from a young age and today she incorporates a Māori edge in her floral designs. She was one of the top students in her class and after graduating she gained permanent employment with a well-known Christchurch florist. Well done Bonnie, we are all very proud of you.

Christmas office hours

The last general meeting for this year will be held on Sunday 14 December and the office will close on Friday 19 December. [Read more…]