Rāapa 28 Hui-tanguru 2024 | Wednesday 28 February 2024

Nau mai haere mai ngā iwi ō Ngāti Tamaterā, Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou katoa i tenei wā.

2024 has truly guided our path with clear blue skies, renewed energy, and a collective sense of kotahitanga across the motu.

Our team at Tamaterā has hit the ground running this year with a lot going on in the taiao space, along with future hui and activities to implement.

Some of our mahi is focused on cleansing our registration and iwi database, so we have created a team to ensure our whānau details are up to date to receive messages and, more importantly, able to vote in future elections. Our validation committee is ready to validate as many whānau as possible this year, so let your whānau know to register by clicking the button below.

Caulerpa has been a hot topic over the summer period, with our iwi partners leading the way in mitigating this exotic pest species, and our Pou Taiao kaitiaki team is working tirelessly with our iwi partners to ensure this invasive species is eradicated. 



Our pou rāhui kaitiaki and whānau volunteers have been championing and promoting our no-shell fishing zone over the summer between Te Āputa and Te Mata, spreading knowledge on Caulerpa best practices and embracing technology like ROVs for underwater surveys.

Alongside these efforts, our kaitiaki have been actively collecting cultural knowledge, enhancing Ngāti Tamaterā’s Maramataka, and emphasising the deep connection between cultural practices and environmental cycles.

As we advance towards the coming year, we anticipate continued strategic relationships and partnerships, further collaboration, better understanding, and a shared commitment to mana motuhake.

The following information is in this pānui:

• Strategic Kōrero Hui
• National Iwi Chairs Forum
• Mātauranga - Education
• E-Pā Wars 2024
• Te Ōhanga - Economic Development
• Te Taiao - Environment
• Ngāti Tamaterā Storm Recovery Navigators
• Drivers Licence Kaupapa
• Marae Pānui
• Ngā pānui mo te wā kainga
• Niho Ora ki Hauraki
  

We appreciate the participation and engagement of all whānau in the Herearoha Skipper-led Strategic Discussions Hui held at Te Puru School Hall on December 10, 2023.

A great turnout ensued with presentations on:

• Historical Kōrero by Dr. Apanui Skipper
• NTTST Overview by Antony Royal
• Treaty Settlement Update by John McEnteer
• Cultural Monitoring and Practitioners by Dr Korohere Ngāpo
• Hauora by Tammy Dehar
• Education by Lisa Paraku
• Pou Rāhui by Mita O’Brien

It was great to reaffirm whānau moemoea and aspirations to ensure we listen to whānau voices, understand whānau needs, and that they are relevant in today's climate. 

Key highlights include building rangatahi capacity and capability to ensure:

• Succession planning,
• Te Oranga o te Taio
•  Matauranga (te reo me ona tikanga)
• Thriving and healthy whānau
• Kotahitanga
• Mana Motuhake
• Tino Rangatiratanga
• Future-proofing
• Mokopuna decision-making
• Housing
• Whānau desire to return to our ancestral lands
• Career pathways Whakatū Marae and Tamaterātanga.

The trustees and operations team are enthused that we are on the right path, and your feedback and responses reaffirm this.

“We have no choice but to fight.” These were the words of Rahui Papa, the Chair for Ngati Koroki Kahukura of the Cambridge area. Rahui was one of the 50-plus Iwi Chairs who attended the National Iwi Chairs Forum in Kerikeri, where the unanimous decision from the Iwi was to fight what is seen as the government's continued sustained attack on Maori.

“We attended and heard the korero at Turangawaewae and also Ratana. We support the outcomes. Our people want to know that we care about how they are feeling. They want to see action, and we support,” said Jamie Tuuta, the Chair for Ngati Mutunga of the Taranaki area.

The National Iwi Chairs Forum agreed to various options for fighting the different issues. These included supporting existing legal action, filing new legal actions, submitting complaints to the Human Rights Commission, submitting challenges to the United Nations, carrying out targeted protests, and taking other measures on specific policies covered in the Coalition Governments agreements and 100-day plan.

The National Iwi Chairs Forum met with the Prime Minister together with several Cabinet Ministers, including Ministers Willis, Reti, Bishop, Upston, Mitchell, Goldsmith, Potaka, Simmonds, Watts, Penk, Jones, Seymour, McKee, and van Velden.

It was clear that the government wanted to work with Iwi Māori to help create a better Aotearoa and some of those issues that the NICF will work together on range from social development to economic development. Housing and the review of Kainga Ora are issues we must work on together,” said Tuuta.

“We will fight for as long as it takes to stop this government from thinking that it is okay to attack Māori—their Tiriti partner,” said Papa.

Te Whare Pūkenga Award - Turoa Kiniwe Royal

Te Whare Pūkenga is an award that recognises Rangatira across Aotearoa who have made an outstanding contribution and impact to revitalising and enhancing our taonga and values that protect Te Ao Māori.

The National Iwi Chairs Forum's highly prestigious Te Whare Pūkenga Award was presented to the late Tūroa Kiniwe Royal. A contingent of the Royal whānau at Kerikeri on February 1, 2024, received the award. A heartfelt commemoration ensued as Margaret Mutu proceeded with her speech and Thomas Hohaia delivered the citation.

Tūroa Kiniwe Royal was a Māori educationalist who dedicated his career to improving Māori educational achievement. He was also involved in innovating New Zealand education and utilising aspects of Māori language and culture. He has been described as a ‘pioneer Māori educationalist’ and a ‘giant in Māori education’. In 2009, Massey University wrote the following about Tūroa:

"Few have sustained active leadership in the field for more than fifty years. As early as 1956...Mr. Royal was one...who argued that the Māori language should be a curriculum subject for teacher trainees. He had by then already embarked on a career that would ultimately facilitate the transformation of New Zealand’s approach to education. By identifying language, culture, and community voice as determinants of successful learning, he was instrumental in building a pathway for educational inclusion."

Tūroa taught at Tāmaki College as an inspector of Māori and Island Education. In 1975, he completed a master's dissertation in Australia, which Dr Kathie Irwin stated ‘should be required reading today for people opposed to the spread of Te Reo Māori.’

From 1978 to 1986, Tūroa was the principal of Wellington High School, where he introduced bilingual and whānau-based schooling. From 1986 to 1996, he was Foundation Director of Whitireia Polytechnic, Porirua, and was later appointed Senior Lecturer in Māori Education at Victoria University. From 1981 to 2011, Tūroa was heavily involved in establishing Te Wānanga-o-Raukawa, Ōtaki, and he was also a founder of the World Indigenous Higher Education Consortium (WINHEC).

Tūroa was made a Companion of the Queen’s Service Order in 2005 and, in 2009, was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Literature by Massey University. In 2013, he was made a companion to the New Zealand Order of Merit.

Tūroa Kiniwe Royal was born at Waimangō Point, Hauraki, in 1935. He passed away in late 2023 and returned to Waimangō to be interred in his ancestral urupā.

The National Iwi Chairs Forum recognised his significant contributions to the nation in education and his advocacy for Māori in education and cultural development.

With The Blake Trust, our newest partner organisation, we have been forming strategic alliances to present our Tikapa Moana and Te Moananui a Toi roadshow to Hauraki events and schools in 2024. This hugely exciting collaboration blends innovation and digital technology with traditional Matauranga Māori ideas. The survival of our marine biodiversity, which we all enjoy exploring over the summer, depends on education. Using virtual reality goggles, a dedicated team is teaching our rangatahi about the differences between our unhealthy and healthy marine ecosystems and what we, as a whānau, can do to help our Moana and Taonga species regenerate.



The date is locked in, and the stage is set for the second E-Pā wars to be held in the Civic Centre Thames on Friday 23rd, and Saturday 24th August 2024.  This hugely successful event will unite our Māori digital technology and innovation practitioners, Sir Peter Blake Trust, with VR headsets on climate change and the Moana in conjunction with our Pou Rāhui team.

Schools from across Hauraki will converge at the event Friday morning for the day's activations, and we will have Saturday available for our wider whānau to engage and participate.

Book this date in now whānau. Nau mai haere mai, register now by contacting admin@tamatera.iwi.nz.

Creating drivers for change and building our Iwi business database is vital to our success. We have a range of businesses, from project management to civil works.  Part of this year's programme is to ensure our businesses are ready for procurement opportunities and support the creation of business profiles where required and/or referrals to business support partners. Using procurement as a lever, we can make a real difference for whānau, the environment, and our communities. 

Our advocacy for procurement with local/central government and corporate development is paramount, and this is a priority area for the team in 2024.

Please let your whānau know to register their business by clicking the button below. 

Pou Rāhui

Tamanuiterā has begun his long ascent, the domain of Tangaroa is beckoning & he tohu wherowhero from our Pōhutukawa has been the best I can recall; the gift of te paki o Matariki is here! Tīhei mauriora! Fishing, diving and harvesting activity along Tikapakapa steadily increased as haukāinga set up for the festive season, and our manuwhiri hararēi began their annual exodus to the shores of te rohe moana.

A massive shoutout to ngā uri ō Ngāti Tamaterā who volunteered to tautoko, uphold the mana & maintain the integrity of our rāhui at Tapu, Waipatukahu & Te Mata- ngā mihi nui kia koutou, me he tē. To the general public, rāhui are frequently disregarded, often misrepresented & seldomly understood- even amongst tangatawhenua. At a pou rāhui wānanga held at Te Āputa, we determined that the dearth of discernment concerning rāhui is a real problem; revitalising that knowledge is coming soon.

Tēnā koe Tāwhirimātea. A repeat of the '22 cyclone season was improbable; Aotearoa finished per annum strong, with December being the busiest month. The last confluence of school, work & family for '23 was eventful, keeping the schedule strict and all in a state of momentum. As it was, for our Ngāti Tamaterā Pou Rāhui taiohi & kaiwhakahaere, the first two weeks of December were dedicated to training & living in Tauranga, learning dive physiology & frenzal technique with SSI Freediving Instructor, Joe Paul-Burke. Our taiohi completed their qualification in SSI International Freediving, on 16 December 2023. This tohu will become invaluable as we begin survey diving the marine areas identified (pātaka kaimoana) at the mātauranga mapping wānanga held at La Casa Lodge (Te Āputa Pā) Te Puru. The hīkoi to reclaim that which has been lost will be long; we're steadily walking the right path. Whāia kia tika.

Nei ra te mihi ki a Ngāti Paoa Iwi Trust who are trialing alternative eradication methods at Waiheke Island.

Ko Ranginui ki runga, Ko Papatūānuku ki raro. The Pou Rāhui Project has four major mātauranga Māori components- Pou Tangata, Pou Moana, Pou Whenua, Pou Rangi. This month we focused on the sky, the sun & stars- the celestial embodiment of our Maramataka. The esoteric depth of knowledge that was shared by Apanui Skipper, Charles Royal & Korohere Ngapo was received by our taiohi well and put into practice beneath a super clear starlit nightsky. The aim of the teaching experience was to collate a body of observational knowledge of te taiao that will help recalibrate our local Maramataka with that which we see today. The Pou Rangi wānanga was held at Tangiaro Retreat on 7-10 January 2024.

Partner Storm Recovery Navigators in Tāmaki Makaurau connecting communities with support

AUCKLAND EMERGENCY RECOVERY

The Ngāti Tamaterā Treaty Settlement Trust is supporting the Tāmaki Makaurau Recovery Office by bringing on board two Storm Recovery Navigators. The Tāmaki Makaurau Recovery Office welcomed new Partner Navigators to boost support for under-served communities affected by severe weather events in 2023.

As  Storm Recovery Navigators, we connect individuals and whānau with resources, services, and information to help navigate their recovery journey. We have the added advantage of being based in existing non-government organisations or iwi partner groups with strong ties to their local communities. 

Partner Navigators assisting with storm recovery and support are working with a range of demographics (old and young), ethnicities, and Treaty partners such as:

• Te Kawerau Iwi Tiaki Trust
• Ngāti Tamaterā Treaty Settlement Trust
• Huakina Development Trust
• Te Mahurehure Cultural Society Incorporated
• Aunty Lou’s kitchen
• Vahefonua Tongan Methodist Methodist Mission Charitable Trust (Siola)
• South Seas Healthcare Trust
• Affirming Works
• Age Concern
• Global Hope Missions
• New Settlers Family and Community Trust
• MPHS Community Trust
• I am Māngere
• Visionwest Community Trust.

Ngāti Tamaterā Storm Recovery Navigators:

Tui Barbarich-Tawera

Storm Recovery Navigator

Ko Taniwha, Ko Makomako,

Ko Te Korapatū ngā marae

Ko Ngāti Mahuta,

Ko Ngāti Tuahuru,

Ko Ngāti Peehi ngā hapū.

Ko Waikato, ko Ngāti Paoa, ko Ngāti Maniapoto ngā Iwi.

Tui has a professional background in primary and intermediate teaching. She has recently moved to working in academia supporting researchers with Māori engagement. Her qualifications are in Education and Māori and Indigenous development. Tui volunteers her time to support her whānau at governance levels as a board member on a Kura Māori board, marae committee, marae trusts, and iwi board.

Dr. Te Wai Barbarich-Unasa

Storm Recovery Navigator

Ko Taniwha, Ko Makomako,

Ko Te Korapatū ngā marae

Ko Ngāti Mahuta,

Ko Ngāti Tuahuru,

Ko Ngāti Peehi ngā hapū.

Ko Waikato, ko Ngāti Paoa, ko Ngāti Maniapoto ngā Iwi.

Te Wai has a background in Māori Health with a specialisation in rangatahi hauora and wellbeing. She has a passion for ensuring the voices of rangatahi are heard and their health needs are being met. Te Wai also conducts research across the rangatahi space and in family violence prevention. Te Wai currently volunteers as a firefighter with the Kaiaua Volunteer Fire Brigade, is the Presiding Member (Board Chair) at Kaiaua School, and is a board member for E Tipu E Rea Whānau Services.

If you live in Tāmaki please get in touch with our Storm Recovery Navigators if you require any support.

The Ngāti Tamaterā Treaty Settlement Trust and the Hauraki Primary Health Organisation teamed up with Te Ara Haepapa- a road safety team via Auckland Transport. They supported whānau to secure their driver’s license while increasing their road code knowledge.

Over the weekend of the 2nd and 3rd of December, a cohort of 33 whānau aged between 16 and 60 (comprised of 7 Learners, 12 Restricted and 14 Full) travelled to Kaiaua to attend the two-day workshop. This included a combination of theory and practical mahi.  Along with the facilitators from Te Ara Haepapa, we had two fantastic driving instructors take the whānau on mock tests in preparation for their restricted and full license tests.

The seven learners sat in an intense two-day theory workshop to better understand the road code, laws, and rules to ensure safe driving on our roads. Through all their hard work and determination, all seven of the group sat their tests and passed. We are so proud of their efforts and achievements. 

Three people have passed their restricted licence, while five have sat and passed their full driver's licence. Congratulations to those whānau. In the interim, while whānau wait for the following training dates in February and March 2024, our instructors will work closely with them to hone their skills and provide them with a vehicle to use on testing day. Whānau will take their restricted and full licence tests in Pukekohe and Wiri. Since this experience has given whānau knowledge and confidence, they feel supported and at ease when taking their tests. 

Gaining your full driver's licence is a prerequisite for many jobs today, and we are very happy to have provided this opportunity in partnership with Auckland Transport for our whānau. We are very excited about the relationship built with Te Ara Haepapa, and there are plans to see how the team can support our wider community and further promote road safety. 

Some feedback from participants:

"I am extremely appreciative of this opportunity as it included the theory and practical components and built my confidence in getting my license. I especially enjoyed the driving lessons, and that it is fees free, and encourage others to take part in 2024" 

“Just letting you know I went for my restricted today, and I passed it. Thank you so much for putting me onto that driver's course. It actually really helped”

 “Thank you, I would have still been driving around with no license if it wasn’t for this opportunity” 

 “We all appreciate all the mahi that goes on to give our whānau these opportunities”. 

 “The course is mean as. We have gone from learners and now getting ready to sit our full. Would never have done that scary license journey without this support”. 

The trust is scoping further driver license kaupapa in 2024 for whānau and potential opportunities to undergo wheel tracks and rollers, truck driver licensing, and other whānau requirements.

Te Pai o Hauraki Marae

Our recent working bee at Te Pai o Hauraki Marae showcased our whanaungatanga and mahi tahi among our iwi. Whanau enjoyed coming together to beautify our marae so much that we have planned another for this weekend 17th Feb 2024. May its beauty continue to inspire and bring us together for generations to come.  No reira, Te aroha, Te whakapono me te rangimarie Tatou, tatou e.



Taharua Marae

On behalf of the wider iwi, we extend our warmest congratulations to Kuia Lois Williams from Taharua Marae on her remarkable 94th birthday celebrations. It is truly a great feat and well-deserved for the whanau to come together and acknowledge the immense contribution she has made to her whānau, hapū, and marae. May this special milestone be a time of joy, reflection, and appreciation for all the love and wisdom she has shared with us throughout the years. Happy 94th birthday, Kuia Lois!

Rangatahi Iwi Leadership Group

Ngā Rangatahi-ā-Iwi Wānanga

"Kauhangaiti i te kauhangaroa" 

We invite rangatahi ā iwi to Te Whakatōhea (Ōmarumutu Marae) to wānanga the collective action of Rangatahi Māori in Aotearoa. Building on the progress made in 2024 and looking forward to the next century, this wānanga is an opportunity to look at how we balance perseverance and prayer, persistence and patience, as we continue to realise the aspirations of Ngā Rangatahi-ā-Iwi: 

"Kia niwha te ngākau ki te whakaū ki ngā mahi ātawhai i te iwi" 

Where: OMARUMUTU MARAE, 

When: 22-24 March, 2024

Pōhiri: 4pm Friday 

Poroaki: 12pm Sunday 

Please register for planning purposes: https://wkf.ms/3SA95zT

In collaboration with Te Whatu Ora and Dental Planet, Te Tara o Te Whai launched their free mobile dental initiative, Niho Ora ki Hauraki!

Funded by Te Whatu Ora, Niho Ora ki Hauraki offers free dental treatment close to home for people living in Hauraki for 2024.

Throughout the school holidays of 2024, Niho Ora ki Hauraki will be stationed across the region, so keep an eye out on our socials for updates.

They will be servicing Thames first, beginning Monday 22nd to Friday 26th January.

To be eligible for this initiative, you will need to meet the following criteria:

• Be committed to attending both the initial dental screening and treatment appointments
• Aged 19 years and over
• Eligible for a Community Services Card
• Living in Hauraki

If you would like to participate, please fill out the expression of interest form listed below, and they will be in touch with you later this week. Spaces are limited!

Expression of interest form 

https://forms.monday.com/.../df4e28212d79f34c1f54f49bfc3a...