A Monthly Newsletter of Kāi Tahu news, views and events.
Ngā mihi o te tau hou kia koutou katoa. Introducing Maia Octavia Ruri, born 11 September 2016 in Perth to proud parents Tane Ruri and Desire Hattingh. Maia’s dad is Ngāi Tahu through his koro from Kaikōura.
Ngā mihi maioha to our Ngāi Tahu iwi for gifting Maia with her pēpi pack and her unique and ataahua taonga when she was registered. We were totally delighted with all her taonga. [Read more…]
Te Rūnanga o Kaikōura had its annual general meeting on Sunday 9 October and would like to congratulate the new executive.
Henare Manawatu – Chairman
A lovely man, with a cheeky smile and a great sense of humour brings a wealth of knowledge and support to the role.
Major Timms – Deputy Chairman
Doing wonders as our back up man not only as our deputy chair but also has his guardian hat on as one of our cultural monitors and tangata tiaki.
Kiri Williams – Treasurer
Eager young lady wanting to give her all to her new role, she is also our friendly, helpful administrator here at Takahanga Marae.
Maurice Manawatu – member
Our whakapapa expert with that captivating voice who brings a great business background and the best stories.
Butch McDonald – member
The definition of man, he’s tough, he’s rough, he has a kind heart and a massive amount of knowledge of Tangaroa and the kaimoana that lives there.
Brett Cowan – member
Our DoC man, he is normally found out saving our native wild life, cultural monitoring, playing rugby or the blues on his saxophone.
Robyn McConchie – Mangamaunu Representative
Our lady with the beautiful smile is a teacher at Hapuku School and has many years of education under her belt, with many more to come no doubt.
Welcome Taukiri Manawatu
We would also like to welcome Taukiri Manawatu as our marae manager here at Takahanga. The man with a million hats. He has fitted in well, built up great relationships with the whānau here and is manning the pae when needed. You will sometimes find him helping out in the garden on the weekends and prepping kai from our vegie garden for whānau to take home. Ka pai it’s great to see the passion and dedication that you are bringing to your role.
Taukiri Manawatu – Marae Manager.
Congratulations to Poihipi Clayton and his Under 16 Nelson Bays Representative Rugby team for winning the plate final against Otago Metro. It was a hard-fought win with both sides giving their all, final score Nelson Bays 36, Otago Metro 19.
Poihipi Tupahu Clayton on the right, holding the winners plate with a teammate.
Congratulations to Rosie Clemett for making the Premier team and Ma-rea Clayton for being picked to umpire for the Te Waipounamu Māori Netball Team.
The 79th South Island Māori Netball Tournament (Pitama Cup) was held in Kaikōura on 24 September. It was a great day filled with fun, laughter, catching up with old friends and making new ones. The marching, netball and kapa haka was of outstanding quality from all the rōpū that attended. Te Tai Taonga MP Rino Tirikatene said he had a wonderful time and the manaakitanga from the host club was amazing.
The host club, Kaikōura Te Ahikaaroa, won the tuakana (senior) netball, teina (intermediate) marching and our pēpi (junior) had a wonderful time.
Chairman Peter Clayton said the event went well because the whole club came together to ensure the smooth-running keeping to the values of whanaungatanga and manaakitanga.
We would like to thank our amazing sponsors because without their support we couldn’t have made it the wonderful event that it was:
Also special mention to the whole Kaikōura Te Ahikaaroa rōpū “ka mau te wehi whānau”.
Alandra Pickstone and Maia Morgan-Harnett lead the team onto the court.
Tuakana netball winners.
Ma-rea Clayton, Rana Poharama, Che Tamaira, Sapphire Poharama, Justin Solomon, Che Solomon, Mark Solomon, Jackie Te Wani, Raki Solomon, Miri Furlong, Samantha Manawatu, Rose Clemett, Te Amo Solomon, Graeme Muir, Te Auhia Solomon, Lesley Anne Morgan, Ramari Ruhi-Manawatu, Mereana Hyde, Hari Manawatu, Natalie Walford, Suzanne King, Tina Smith.
Gemma Manson, Garry Grooby, Iwa Solomon, Heather Manawatu, Raquel Saunders, Angela Norton, Benay Aiomanu, Jah-Kaya Manawatu, Cowan Wards, Eliana Aiomanu, Gina Davis, Flo Smith, Maurice Manawatu, Israel Stone, Hineau MacKenzie, Jude Bond.
The 79th South Island Māori Netball Tournament (Pitama Cup) was held in Kaikōura on 24 September. It was a great day filled with fun, laughter, catching up with old friends and making new ones.
The marching, netball and kapa haka was of outstanding quality from all the rōpū that attended. Te Tai Taonga MP Rino Tirikatene said he had a wonderful time and the manaakitanga from the host club was amazing.
The host club, Kaikōura Te Ahikaaroa, won the tuakana (senior) netball, teina (intermediate) marching and our pēpi (junior) had a wonderful time. [Read more…]
Sade Elle Gemmell celebrated her 21st birthday on 30 July. Her two sisters, Mariah and Aaliyah, decorated their grandparents’ home in Mangamaunu with balloons, flyers and ‘Happy Birthday’ streamers in Sade’s favourite colour, pink. Sade’s koro put a hāngī down and home-baked steamed pudding, pavlova and champagne were on the menu. The German chocolate cake was enjoyed by all. (For those who like baking, this recipe came from Māori Channel’s Cook-Up programme – it’s a must try).
Sade performed waiata with her Nana on the ukulele and whānau enjoyed songs, new and old from YouTube. Sade was winner of the ‘2014 Hollywood Immersive Contest’, her prize was a trip to Los Angeles. She was unable to go however, as she became hapū with her beautiful pēpi, Azayliah Grace.
Sade Elle Gemmell at her 21st birthday party.
Last year saw Mariah and Aaliyah Gemmell achieve excellence and merit respectively for their studies in NCEA. Aaliyah won three top awards for her final year at Glen Eden Intermediate School. Well done girls.
Jamie Harris
Jamie rowed in three finals in the Maadi Cup Regatta in Twizel, winning silver, 6th and 7th placings for Collegiate College in Wanganui. Jamie lost her Dad John suddenly in May this year. John was well-known for his outdoor pursuits such as the Coast to Coast. Jamie and John had a close and special relationship. During the last week of July, Jamie’s Mother Jo Ann (Gemmell) received the bronze award for ‘Best Builder’ in the Blenheim, Nelson and West Coast regions on behalf of Harris Construction Builders Ltd – a personal congratulations for both their efforts in the company.
Jamie Harris (left) at the Maadi Cup Regatta in Twizel.
Closes 4pm on 16 September 2016
Te Rūnanga o Kaikōura wishes to inform all members and potential members of the rūnanga of its intention to conduct a postal ballot. This postal ballot is for the purposes of electing the members of Te Rūnanga o Kaikōura Appointment Committee. Once elected, the Appointment Committee will be responsible for appointing the Representative and Alternate Representative of the rūnanga to represent their interests at meetings of Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu. [Read more…]
Nau mai haere mai ki Takahanga Marae.
Karanga me whaikōrero wānanga
10-12 June starting at 4pm.
Noho marae
We are having four noho marae here in Kaikōura on weekends of rūnanga hui.
All whānau welcome to join us, we would love to see you.
We also have other courses lined up for later in the year, if you are interested please contact us on 03 319 6523 or [email protected] for more information. These wānanga will include whakapapa, waiata and cultural activities.
We would like to wish everyone a happy Māori new year at the “rising of Matariki” for 6 June.
“Marewa ake a Matariki I te Whakarua, I mua tata tonu atu I te aonga ake o te raa.”
Matariki rises on the north-east horizon, on the same spot as the rising sun.
Jason and Te Ari Timms were married on the grounds of Takahanga Marae and the reception was held at Scarborough Street, Kaikōura.This was attended by many whānau from across Australia and New Zealand.
Jason and Te Ari Timms.
Lilah Anahera Jacobs was born at Burwood Hospital on 20 January weighing 8lb 14. She is the first baby daughter for Finn Adair-Jacobs and Estella Skinner. Lilah is the first grandchild for Brent and Kerrie Jacobs and much loved niece of Ruby Adair-Jacobs.
Lilah Anahera Jacobs.
Easter was a great weekend of whakawhanaungatanga at our hui-ā-tau held at Mangamaunu Marae. There were participants of all ages, ranging from four months to 80 years from all over Aotearoa, we had beautiful weather and a happy whānau.
A big mihi to our Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu kaimahi, especially Kiri Seaward (Whai Rawa), Takerei Norton (Cultural Mapping), Dr Terry Ryan and Maurice Manawatu (Whakapapa) for your contribution to our hui. The whānau really appreciated your time and skills.
To the organisers and whānau, the kai was awesome and the programme showed our district of Kaikōura to the best advantage. The kōrero about historic sites of interest had whānau really buzzing. We will be having this event annually, so nau mai, haere mai.
Whānau at Mangamaunu Marae.
On Saturday 20 February at 1pm, whānau gathered to celebrate the marriage of Johnny and Michaela Te Wani.
Johnny Te Wani with his parents Garry and Jacqui Te Wani and his new bride Michaela in the Takahanga archway.
Kei Kaikōura me Ōraka Aparima ngā rūnanga. Ko Sade rāua ko Thomas ngā mātua. I whānau mai te pēpi hou i te 19 Oketopa 2015. Ko Azayliah Grace Moana tōna ingoa. Ko Bronwyn (nō Tāmaki Makaurau) rātou ko Henare, ko Moana Gemmell, ko Carol, ko Wayne Bates (nō Ōtautahi) ngā tīpuna. Aroha nui ki a Leianne O’Brien mō āna mahi whakawhānau pēpi. Nā Moana Gemmell. [Read more…]
Date: Easter 2016 (midday, Friday 25-27 March)
Venue: Mangamaunu Marae
Events: Kanohi, whakapapa, historical site visits, cultural mapping presentation, Whai Rawa kōrero, tamariki competitions, waiata and more.
Nau mai, auraki mai ngā uri o Mangamaunu. For catering/accommodation purposes, please RSVP to Lewis Boyles by 12 March. Ring 03 553 0220 or 027 705 0909; or email [email protected]
From 5-7 September, the Kaikōura Māori Wardens group hosted police training at Takahanga Marae.
Ōtautahi mahi coordinator, Jacqui Te Wani and warranted warden, Lennie Smith and Garry Te Wani (Jnr), brought eight of their trainees up from Christchurch for the training session.
The weather was perfect, the yummy kai was in abundance, and the views from the marae were breath-taking. The kāinga made us feel like we belonged there.
Ngā Wātene Māori katoa.
Karen Starkey was named the overall winner at the Kaikōura Matariki fashion show in late June. Here is a small kōrero from her.
The taonga was a moemoeā (dream) to make, using traditional processes with a modern and contemporary twist.
My mother, Lexie Starkey made the taonga I call, Mana Tāne from fibre and feathers for the opening of Ōmaka Marae. This was a very long process and it was a dream that her whānau would continue this mahi. This was the traditional taonga that lead us from the old to the new as per the whakaaro of Matariki that I believe in. [Read more…]
Te Rūnanga o Kaikōura would like to congratulate Manaia Tickell who is the daughter of proud parents Karaitiana and Alice Tickell and mokopuna of Rereao Tickell-Poharama and Michael Tickell.
Manaia was one of 30 recipients who received a 2015 Canterbury District Health Board Māori & Pacific Scholarship. She is in her first year studying toward a Bachelor of Health Science.
Manaia with He Oranga Pounamu CEO, Robyn Wallace.
Kaikōura Integrated Health Centre blessing
On 15 August, rūnanga members and the Kaikōura community attended the blessing of the Kaikōura Integrated Health Centre.
Te Rūnanga o Kaikōura were asked to gift a name for the new facility and it was agreed that the name would be, Te Hā o Te Ora.
Te Hā talks about aroha, the essence of a person, or their whole being. Ora talks about wellbeing, which is the essence of health itself. The name also has added meaning gleaned from the legend of Māui, who is said to have stood with his foot on the peninsula to draw breath (Te Hā) before he fished up the North Island.
Te Rūnanga o Kaikōura member, Raewyn Solomon says the gifting of the name is important. The whole site is of cultural significance because it is part of the original pā site of Takahanga.
“In addition to gifting the name, Brett Cowan blessed the Kaikōura health centre, Te Hā o Te Ora to ensure the protection of all who use the facility from now into the future.”
Prior to the first stages of the excavation, talks had begun with our environmental coordinator, Raewyn Solomon, who responded to their resource consent. Michael Trotter (archaeologist) along with Amelia Taylor (cultural monitor) attended the site during the first excavation period a year ago.
The rūnanga will contribute art work for the whānau room as well as a cultural gateway. The hospital and Te Rūnanga o Kaikōura had to upgrade the power supply which worked well with the timing of our new wharekai.
The rūnanga also gave the contractors permission to use our driveway for access to the site.
The new facility will be great for Kaikōura and although the old hospital holds many memories for whānau, we all look forward to the new hospital that will have breath-taking views from the mountains to the sea.
Trengrove Architects Ltd artist impression of the centre.
The original hospital facility.
Rūnanga member, Brett Cowan and project mananger, Tim Fahy.
Brett Cowan leading rūnanga members and members of the Kaikōura community.
Takahanga has been buzzing over the last month with plenty of bookings. We have had received bookings from Kaikōura High School, the Hurunui District Council, representatives from China hosted by Whale Watch, the Kaikōura Information Centre, members from the University of Florida, the Manawhenua Working Party, Nelson/Marlborough Institute of Technology, the Ahu Whenua Trust, the University of Canterbury, Te Puni Kōkiri and Braugher College.
Thank you to those who have kept our paepae warm. Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou.
Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu representatives, Gina Solomon and Amelia Taylor attended the Nelson/Marlborough Conservation board hui which was followed by a field trip to the Abel Tasman National Park.
We took a boat to the park from Kaiteriteri Beach and stayed overnight at the Anchorage Hut, a spacious 34 bunk hut built in 2013.
One of the Department of Conservation (DoC) support staff talked about ‘good nature’ – 24 self-resetting traps that are being used by Project Janszoon and Abel Tasman Birdsong Trust to control rats. Each gas-powered trap will reset itself up to 24 times.
One morning we walked along the golden beach at Anchorage to see where Motueka High School students have planted a range of dune species for dune restoration.
Another boat ride and walk brought us to Onetahuti Bridge. This bridge and boardwalk were completed in late 2013, allowing all-tide access across the Richardson Stream. The bridge has been built to reflect the design of a waka. It’s a wonderful example of working together with mana whenua to incorporate symbolic elements into the park infrastructure.
Minister Nick Smith attended our board meeting in Motueka and Minister Nicky Wagner attended the field trip with the Nelson/Marlborough DoC board.
The board at Anchorage Beach.
The group visiting the Onetahuti Bridge.
Minister Nicky Wagner and a DoC staff member.
One of our education pou leaders, Rawiri Manawatu has been successfully holding weekly te reo classes at the marae.
We are proud of Rawiri’s achievements and his drive and passion to keep the language alive. He has a strong rōpū of 35 people who have been attending ranging from pēpi to rangatahi and pakeke to kaumātua.
Rawiri has a humble and encouraging approach when teaching, which is reflected in the positive feedback from the participants who have been attending the classes.
Ka mau te wehi Rawiri.
Mō tātou, ā, mō kā uri ā muri ake nei – For us, and our children after us.
Te Rūnanga o Kaikōura Inc is calling for nominations for directors for Te Rūnanga o Kaikōura Ltd (charitable company). Elections will take place at our Te Rūnanga o Kaikōura Ltd shareholder annual general meeting on Sunday 11 October at 10.30 am, Takahanga Marae, Kaikōura. All enquiries are to be directed to Gina Solomon, secretary of Te Rūnanga o Kaikōura Inc, phone 027 516 1715; or email [email protected]
Te Rūnanga o Kaikōura celebrated Matariki in full force this year.
Friday kicked off with various kura around the rohe performing kapa haka at Takahanga Marae with an outstanding attendance of around 800 people.
Organisers, Robyn McConchie and Rawiri Manawatu were pleased with the stunning performances from all the kura. To have our community come together to celebrate Matariki with our tamariki was heart felt throughout our community. [Read more…]
Te Korowai members and supporters have been celebrating after being named the winners of the 2015 Green Ribbon Award for protecting our oceans and coasts.
The award winners were announced on Thursday 4 June at the Beehive by the Minister for the Environment and Minister of Conservation.
Te Korowai was a finalist for the third year in a row and our hopes were high. This year marks 25 years since the establishment of the awards and more than 170 individuals and groups have been recognised as part of the Green Ribbon Awards since their inception in 1990. [Read more…]
Born in Ōaro in 1922, Cyril Kerei Keepa (Gray) died peacefully on 7 May 2015.
He was a special kaumātua, dad, granddad and great-granddad to all his moko, husband to Pat, trusted friend and a special uncle to many.
He was the last of the 14 siblings of Henare Kerei Keepa (Harry Gray) and the graceful and lovely Mahalla (Ali Grace Norton) to leave us.
Apart from time spent in the Pacific during WWII, Cyril spent nearly all of his working life in Westport, mainly in the transport and fishing industries, where his five children Dennis, Ken, Tony, Janice and Dale were born. [Read more…]