Kia ora e te whanaunga

On behalf of the Rūnanga Board of Trustees I’m pleased to share the 2019 Annual Report with you.

Please share with your whānau and encourage them to contact us so that we can send directly to them in the future.

View Annual Report 2019 here

Registered members over the age of 65 should have received a hard copy with their voting packs. All registered members over the age of 18 should also have received their voting packs for the Trustee elections. We are lucky to have a number of exceptional candidates for our Trustee positions this year so I encourage you all to vote.

If you haven’t received a voting pack, please phone Election Services on 0800 922 822 or email info@electionservices.co.nz and they will see you right.

Nāku noa, nā

Olivia Hall
Chair

Our latest pānui is going to print and here is an advance copy!

Here's what's inside:

• That we are coming out to see you all soon to discuss our Trust Deeds,      beginning this weekend in Te Tauihu - Friday evening in Wairau, Saturday      morning in Nelson and Saturday afternoon in Motueka.
• Our Kaiwhakahaere Matua / CEO position is advertised on Seek, Trademe and      Facebook, so get on and have a look and forward on to anyone you think      should apply.
• Grants available for all manner of things including being a kaumatua, kapa haka,      sports, te reo and whakapapa wananga.
• Te Ipukarea and AGM details including support for those who live out of the rohe.

Mauri Ora!

Click here to read the full pānui

Nau mai, haere mai to Te Pātaka o Wairau. 25 October 2019. This is the fourth event to be held and the organisers have been busy improving after each one so come along and share in a few hours of excellent Māori entertainment, kai, crafts and culture!

Kia ora whānau

Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori 9-15 Mahuru 2019

Māori Language Week 9-15 September 2019

As the theme suggests, let's make the Māori Language Strong by getting to an event near you. For those in Whakatū (Nelson) here are some of the opportunities the Nelson City Council have arranged.

Events

ANZ are offering our members a variety of benefits. See the flyer for more information.

View the full flyer here.

Westpac are offering our registered members a variety of benefits.

View flyer here

View FAQs here

Our Glasgow Island kaitiaki, Kowhai Pacey sent us this video of his recent trip to the island with Te Atiawa.

https://youtu.be/fsTcyBbtxPg

If you would be interested in a kaitiaki position with Ngāti Rārua, please contact the office

Tēnā koutou e te whānau

It is with regret that the Board of Trustees of Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Rārua have accepted the resignation of Chief Executive Officer, Hemi Toia. Hemi took over the leadership of the Rūnanga as General Manager in 2012, then moved into the role of Chief Executive Officer in July 2013. Prior to that, Hemi held a principal role in Strategy, Governance, Policy and Management as a consultant with Māori corporates, in central government and in the education sector.

After six years with Ngāti Rārua, Hemi has left to concentrate on other projects that he wishes to pursue.

Board Chair Olivia Hall, praises the contribution of Hemi as CEO: “Hemi played a significant role in the political, economic, social and cultural advance of the Rūnanga, demonstrating strong political acumen with representatives of the Crown. He was instrumental in our Treaty of Waitangi Settlement ratification process and the establishment of Tokomaru House, a commercial property which accommodates our offices and blue-chip tenant”. (Picture Insert) Hemi Toia, pictured in 2014 outside the then new Rūnanga offices at Kinross Street, Wairau. Photo by Derek Flynn.

Hemi announced his decision to move on to the Board early October. He often mused that leading the Rūnanga for five or so years would be sufficient time to embed a new strategy and structure to ensure the Rūnanga would succeed into the future. That time has come and the decision to move on has been a big one. The Rūnanga has been a huge part of Hemi’s life. Through all the highs and low, challenges and wins everyone should be very proud as many successes, seen and unseen, have been generated over this time.

During his time at the helm, the iwi has seen major developments in the strategic direction for the Rūnanga. Hemi set the path for this post-settlement development with a strategic plan for 2012 – 2040 which outlined in broad terms the stages of settlement and development to ensure ‘a viable Ngāti Rārua culture, economy and society’. This strategic plan process inclusive of setting or re-setting the mission, vision, unique value propositions and strategic capabilities of the organisation was capably led by Hemi in a manner that reflected both our cultural and corporate responsibilities.

Hemi leaves behind a rich legacy that will be held high, in many different ways, across the members of Ngāti Rārua whānau, the Board and staff. The Board wishes Hemi well as he moves on to new challenges. His courage as a leader means he still has much to contribute to others.

Kia ora e te whanaunga

On behalf of the Rūnanga Board of Trustees I’m pleased to share the 2018 Annual Report with you.

Please share with your whānau and encourage them to contact us so that we can send directly to them in the future.

Download / View Here

Registered members over the age of 60 will receive a hard copy shortly. All registered members over the age of 18 should also have received their voting packs for the Trustee elections. We are lucky to have a number of exceptional candidates for our Trustee positions this year so I encourage you all to vote.

If you haven’t received a voting pack, please phone Election Services on 0800 922 822 or email info@electionservices.co.nz and they will see you right.Nāku noa, nā

Olivia Hall
Chair

By Aneika Young

Kaitiakitanga in Practice Project: Sustainable Seas National Science Challenge

Kia ora rawa atū koutou e te whānau whānui o Ngāti Rārua,

He Pou Tokomanawa is an iwi-led project led by Tiakina te Taiao, which aims to understand the manawhenua iwi kaitiakitanga priorities for Te Tai o Aorere the Tasman Bay. Our research team is made up of Frank Hippolite (project lead), myself (Project lead, iwi researcher), Jenna-Rose Astwood (iwi researcher), Charlotte Sunde (Cawthron social scientist), and Robyn Crisford (GIS analyst). We are guided by our Kaitohutohu or iwi advisory rōpū made up of representatives from all of the iwi entities we are working with.

For the last few months the research team have been conducting wānanga across Te Tau Tau Ihu with whānau from Ngāti Rārua, Te Ātiawa, Ngāti Tama in Wakapuaka, Manawhenua ki Mohua, Ngāti Koata and our entities Wakatū Incorporation and Ngāti Rārua Ātiawa Iwi Trust. We held a wānanga at Te Āwhina Marae with all the whānau of manawhenua ki Motueka. It was a productive and successful wānanga with a good turn out of whānau of all ages.

We broke out into groups and completed a mapping exercise where we would ask them specific questions about issues with respect to the moana, and what kind of obstacles limit their role as kaitiaki. We had some hearty kōrero after the mapping exercise and came away with some valuable perspectives. The most recent wānanga was held at Onetahua Marae with the Manawhenua ki Mohua (MkM) whānau, which was also a valuable experience and important to hear the MkM whānau views. In the next few months we will be looking for whānau who can assist with individual interviews, so feel free to contact me if you have an interest in this type of mahi or know of someone aneika.young@cawthron.org or you can call me on 027 457 7844.

The highlight of this mahi for me is having the privilege to listen to the rich histories and pūrakau that have connected our whānau to the moana for many centuries, and the intrinsic relationship we have with Te Tai o Aorere, represented by our values and customary practices of kaitiakitanga. We are a people of the moana, ngā tāngata ō Te Tai o Aorere.

This story is part of the September 2018 Ngāti Rārua Pānui. To review the stories in the September edition click here.

Makaawhio, aka Bruce Bay is located in South Westland, on Te Tai o Poutini (the West Coast) of the South Island, not too far from Aoraki, Mount Cook in the bottom
half of the Island. Kāti Mahaki ki Makaawhio are resident there and are a hapu of the wider Ngāi Tahu and Ngāti Mamoe iwi of Te Waipounamu.

Due to the marriage of Ngāti Rārua fighting chief Te Naihi and Toiwi of Mahaki, our connection to the region is still strong through whakapapa, and some of our Trustees (Olivia, Lorraine and Des) along with Lee and Molly Luke recently visited the Makaawhio Marae, Te Tauraka Waka.

The intention of the visit was to reestablish links with the whānau and Rūnanga of Makaawhio so that our connections can be strengthened further in the years to come. It was a great opportunity to share dialogue, learn about the history of the region and their beautiful Marae, and lay a foundation for a return visit with many more of our whānau.

Here is a photo of us proudly sitting in front of our Ngāti Rārua pou, Te Naihi.

This story is part of the September 2018 Ngāti Rārua Pānui. To review the stories in the September edition click here.

It’s a fabulous treat catching up with Ngāti Rārua whānau hearing about their lives and sharing in their memories. Recently, we sat down with Auckland-based whānau member, wahine toa and business woman extraordinaire, Zella Morrison. We talked everything from family, love and business to keeping well in mind and body and inspirational thoughts. We were thoroughly inspired by her responses, her whānau and mokopuna. Here is what she had to say about her life’s story.

What does it mean to be Ngāti Rārua to you?

That’s a really cool question. It connects me with my koro, Hare Rore Stafford, my whakapapa and my whānau. Ngāti Rārua adds the enrichment to my life. It makes me who I am. I am proud to say I am part of Ngāti Rārua.

So, the story goes, my koro, Harry Stafford came up to Otorohanga, Ngāti Maniapoto, when he was quite young, about 13. He lived in Maniapoto for a long time, farming. That is where he met, fell in love with and married my grandmother who we knew as “farm nanny.” I always feel proud that I can whakapapa back to the whenua in the south because my pāpā is there. The connection is strong when you know you can feel the bloodline there and that connection with his whānau. And, it’s that sense of being that makes, me Zella.

What makes you, you?

What shapes me and who I am, is that my papa had a great sense of humility. He taught us humility. That was a great learning that shaped me.

What advice can you give to whānau?

There are always lessons that we learn. It’s how we treat the lesson. Some of those lessons I learnt in business, in starting my own cultural tourism business. Coming from a family of entertainers and singers, and performers in kapa haka, when I
started my own business in Auckland and I would work with people passionate about cultural tourism I’d expect that everyone understood what professionalism was. Professionalism to me, turning up to work, having all your gear – poi, piupiu,
bodice, deodorant, and your little towel in your bag. My paternal grandmother always said to us if you look after your piupiu then your piupiu will look after you. The lesson was about valuing your belongings and yourself and then they will bring
good things back to you.

It was a privilege and an honour to sit with Zella Morrison in her beautiful home on a beautiful day. We look forward to catching up with more of our whānau over the coming months.

This story is part of the September 2018 Ngāti Rārua Pānui. To review the stories in the September edition click here.

In 1977 when Wakatū Incorporation was set up to look after the Nelson Tenths Reserves and provide benefit for its owners through dividends, much of the Reserves were unaccounted for, as was any proceeds that had been gained from selling them.

In 2017, a decision by the Supreme Court has enabled Rore Stafford, on behalf of all of the customary owners, pursue redress for the reserves, pā, urupā and cultivations which were not set aside by the Crown as per the 1845 Spain award. This has been a long process which has been led by Wakatū Incorporation and there is still a long way to go till customary owners will see any benefit coming their way.

Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Rārua have been in discussions with both Rore and Wakatū to formulate an agreement to work collaboratively to ensure that maximum benefit can be gained for the customary owners of the tenths reserves. Part of this process is ensuring all rightful customary owners are part of the picture when it comes to decision making and benefits, and we look forward to working with the other two parties to ensure this outcome.

This story is part of the September 2018 Ngāti Rārua Pānui. To review the stories in the September edition click here.

Karanga mai kōanga!

As we farewell winter and move towards the warmer months, we think of all of those who have struggled recently due to cold, increased heating costs, illness or the passing of loved ones. Matariki is a reminder that colder months, whilst necessary, are always followed by new life and increased activity. With spring at our doorstep, there is a lot to be shared with you in this edition of the pānui.

In reviewing activity nationally, it is becoming obvious that iwi are being treated as less of a Crown partner, and more of a stakeholder. Whilst this is worrying, locally we are beginning to make traction with our government agencies as well as other institutions which we engage with including schools, industry and research entities. They are beginning to understand the history of our region and the history of the iwi and Māori entities within it.

Thank you to those who completed our iwi survey. Preliminary results are already having an impact as whānau are looking for the Rūnanga to provide support for whakapapa in particular, as well as an expectation around looking after our environment. Next month in Waikato, we will be holding a whakapapa wānanga with whānau to provide an opportunity for some sharing of Ngāti Rārua history and whakapapa. Details for the wānanga are explained further in this pānui and on Facebook.

We are coming to the end of our audit and pulling together our Annual Report so that you are able to see the activity and performance of the Rūnanga during the 2017/2018 financial year. As always, we are looking forward to our Hui-ā-tau, Annual General Meeting, which will be held on 17 November in Wairau. It is an opportunity to not only present the activity of the Rūnanga, but also an opportunity to come together as Ngāti Rārua and celebrate whānau achievements as well as articulating whānau aspirations for our Rūnanga, our iwi, our whānau and our generations to come.

Aku mihi ki a koutou,
Olivia Hall

This story is part of the September 2018 Ngāti Rārua Pānui. To review the stories in the September edition click here.