te hookioi issue 54

A Lifetime of Service for the Next Generation Coastal Erosion Threatening Our History

Te Tira Hoe o Waikato 2015 Getting Up Close and Personal

With Our Tuupuna Awa

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During the Waikato Land Wars of the 1860s more than 1.2million acres of our tribal lands were unlawfully taken. Our search for redress and justice for this act was vigorous and in 1995 a final agreement was achieved between the iwi and the Crown.

On 22 May 1995 Waikato-Tainui signed its Deed of Settlement, becoming the first iwi to settle its grievances with the Crown. The settlement included $170 million in compensation, the procurement of various Crown-owned properties and more importantly, an apology from the Crown acknowledging that the confiscation of our tribal lands was wrong and completely unjust.

Ko Wai

TAATOU

celebrating 20 years since settlement | 2

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High AchieversCongratulations to our second cohort of students to graduate with their MBA degree from the Waikato-Tainui College for Research and Development. Kei runga noa atu koutou!

The College’s MBA programme is designed for Maaori leaders as it combines academic teaching with traditional Maaori ways of learning. In 2011, the innovative programme was awarded the MBA Innovation Award from the London-based Association of MBAs (AMBA). To find out more about this innovative programme, see waikatotainui.ac.nz

Opportunity for RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSALWaikato-Tainui receives Right of First Refusal (RFR) on crown property as part of the 1995 Waikato Raupatu Settlement. These properties are commonly houses from Housing New Zealand.

If you would like to be on the email list for notifications of houses that become available, please email Karleen Turner-Puriri on [email protected] with ‘RFR’ in the subject line.

20 year RAUPATU CELEBRATIONSWaikato-Tainui are celebrating 20 years since reaching our lands settlement with the Crown and will be commemorating this milestone with a series of events being held over the year.

See page 14 for details on planned events near you.

In this ISSUE #5407 | A Lifetime of Service for the Next Generation The Mahuta whaanau share their story to commemorate 20 years since settlement.

14 | Commemorating 20 years of Raupatu Settlement To celebrate 20 years since reaching our lands settlement with the Crown a series of events are being held throughout 2015.

15 | Coastal Erosion Threatening Our History Coastal erosion is threatening the home of the Tainui Waka, Ahurei and also Maketuu Marae.

19 | Waikato-Tainui Housing Survey Snapshot

20 | $875k of Education Grants Awarded

Tai Tumu, Tai Pari, Tai Ao A Winner

22 | Getting Up Close and Personal With Our Tuupuna Awa Delwyn Abraham shares her experiences from Te Tira Hoe o Waikato 2015.

23 | Te Matatini 2015

24 | Kaumaatua Tipi HaereFront Cover: Amiria McGarvey, Ngaati Aamaru, celebrating the completion of Te Tira Hoe o Waikato 2015.

celebrating 20 years since settlement

Keep up-to-date with Waikato-Tainui online as we bring you current and dynamic content to keep you informed on tribal matters, events and activities.

Stay connected with WAIKATO-TAINUI

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We remember Harry Te Wherowhero Waikai – a man who dedicated much of his life to his whaanau, Waahi Paa, the Taniwharau Rugby League Club and the Kiingitanga.

Harry was married to Mangu and they were a tight unit and team. They are survived by three children: Koroki, Julia (Tuura) and James (Pareiho) Waikai and several mokopuna.

Harry worked hard to provide for his family and ensure that they had the best of what he could give. He took great pride in being able to dive for mussels, paua and kina and set the hinaki to fill the freezer with tuna.

He also instilled the love of league in his sons and grandsons, and he played a vital role as schoolboy and Club President for Taniwharau. If there was fundraising to be done for the marae or club, Mangu would be the right hand to any objective Harry set out to achieve.

He seemed to move through life effortlessly and nothing seemed too hard. In fact, whaanau recall him saying things like “Who’s got a problem? I haven’t got a problem, what’s the problem?” and the more familiar phrase which is now a whakatauki for the whaanau “Show me, don’t tell me”.

HE MAIMAI AROHATeeraa te uira

E hiko ana i te rangiE waahi rua ana naa runga o Taupiri

Koia nei ko te tohu o te mateE te tootara haemata

Kua hoki koe ki te marino o te atuaKi te maarire o ngaa ariki

Ki te maakohakoha o ngaa maatua tuupuna ki too hoa rangatiraE whanga ana moou

Te Wherowhero kua nguu too wahaKua whakataa ngoo ringaringa

Kua mahue mai nei ko ngaa tamarikiKo ngoo mokopuna hei whakatutuki i ngoo tini kaupapa.

Haere hoki atu raa ki a nunui maa ki a roroa maaPai Maarire

Right up until the time of his passing Harry continued to fundraise for the Taniwharau Schoolboys as a committed ‘old boys’ member of the club. He was a Trustee of Taupiri Mountain, for Waharau in Kaiaua and for a short time served as a trustee on the Maniapoto Maori Trust Board.

Harry touched many people in Huntly and beyond. He commanded respect because he was not a complicated man and saw things in a very simple and direct way. He was a man who could lead by example and he loved his mokopuna. He was a great support to Mangu and their union brought real meaning to Waahi and the sayings of Koroki who influenced their early years.

‘Manaaki ki te kaupapa’ was exemplified by the way Harry lived his life. He passed on the day that he was born, turning 68 years, and doing what he loved – setting the hiinaki.

We the whaanau at Waahi, his children and mokopuna remember a humble and uncomplicated man who had a great smile, an attitude of self-belief and a work ethic that has challenged us to “show him” just how much he has touched our lives.

Noo reira e te Paapaa, moe mai i roto i te ringa o Ihowa o ngaa mano.Paimarire


HARRy TE WHEROWHERO WAIkAI19 MARcH 1947 – 19 MARcH 2015

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“It’s always been about the people for

as long as we can remember – that’s the

way our parents spoke about the Kiingitanga

and their commitment to the kaupapa”

We always felt lucky being brought up at the paa. Dad used to say ‘if we can’t take Waahi to the world, we’ll bring the world to Waahi’. Back then we knew that mum and dad had work to do,

however it wasn’t until we were young adults that we realised the true significance of their effort.

Robert (Bubs) and Raiha (Rai) Mahuta advanced landmark treaty settlements for raupatu and the Waikato River for Waikato-Tainui, their contribution has transformed our tribe over the last 20 years. Yet our parents would be the first to admit that many people played an important role and they should be acknowledged and thanked.

It’s always been about the people for as long as we can remember – that’s the way our parents spoke about the Kiingitanga and their commitment to the kaupapa.

When people think about the settlement process there are so many aspects that deserve recognition and to do it justice will require a book. We will save that for another time.

We have pieced together some of the glue that made our parents the people they were and gives another generation hope that we have the capacity to do even more as we determine what the next 20 years will look like.

Early Years and a Humble FoundationAdopted from birth by Koroki, dad was raised between Waahi and Turangawaewae. This time was full of simple pleasures living at the paa, swimming and getting kai from the river, getting up to mischief, playing football and going to the local native school. Dad recollected that at that time everyone at Waahi spoke Maaori. He learnt English by reading the Best Bets paper for his father as they sat near the open hearth fire.

There was a serious side to his young years as well, for example going to poukai and listening to kaumaatua talk about important issues of the time. There was also socialising at the 5 acres and it was during these more informal conversations that dad gleaned an insight to the old people and their deepest thoughts. He carried these vivid memories with him throughout life, like it was a measure of personal success to fulfil the old peoples’ wishes.

Te Puea in part reached a settlement in 1947 to establish the Tainui Maori Trust Board – it was a start and even she knew at the time there was more to do. This may have been why Te Puea made sure that dad would get a good education. He left Raakaumanga Native School and went to Mt Albert Grammar which she believed could help advance her ambitions for the Kiingitanga. Dad had other ideas and always one to accept responsibility for his life choices, he left school at 14 years and secured his first job at the mines cleaning the coal chutes.

Some 600 kilometres away in a little valley called Karetu our mum’s upbringing was very different. Her parents were humble people who lived off the land – whatever they could grow or catch. To supplement the household income mum’s father Hamlin would build roads and do some manual work where he could find it.

These early years were full of equally simple pleasures like swimming in the creek, catching tuna which offset the long hours she and younger sister Susie spent tending to the cows and the vegetable patch. The local school was about two


kilometres up the road and she loved learning, reading and finding out about new things, her other passion was playing tennis.

For as long as she could remember, working was a necessary part of life, mum got her first paying job at 8 years old cleaning for the local pakeha farming family up the road. She would divide her shilling, half for her parents and what was left would be enough for a treat for her and Susie.

Mum was encouraged by her parents, in fact she was the only child of six who demonstrated an academic interest and received a scholarship to attend Queen Victoria School for Girls’. Mum left the valley for the big city lights of Auckland and her life would never be the same.

While at school mum continued to play tennis and netball and she excelled in her academic pursuits. Her parents worked hard to keep her at Queen Victoria often calling on the support of the extended whaanau if things got tight. Mum was forever grateful for this sacrifice and she didn’t put any additional burden of expectation on her parents as a young girl. Mum was strong willed and her sense of purpose was driven by a very simple ethos ‘that you had to work hard for what you get’ and the ability to ‘give back’ was a responsibility.

These early childhood experiences left an impression on our parents, one steeped in a commitment to the aspirations of the Kiingitanga and the other encouraged to explore the world through education and personal pursuit.

By the time mum and dad met, they had taken two very different paths which shaped their character, passion and motivation. When they decided to get married, mum and dad were able to determine a future that made sense of their own experiences.

They absolutely believed that a well-educated family – and tribe – was the path to mana motuhake, which dad referred to as simply being ‘the architects of our own future’. Dad often said that our future would be about ‘what we carry between our ears’. He revelled in debate, challenging and pushing the boundaries and thrived in an environment that created possibilities.

A Commitment to the KiingitangaIn the years before the raupatu settlement, mum’s passion for education transformed our father’s approach to life. That story has been well told, the important part was that dad challenged himself to seek new knowledge, new experiences and meet people who saw the world in a different way.

In order to understand the Kiingitanga, he challenged its institutions, he sought the deeper meanings of Tawhiao’s tongikura, he studied whaikoorero and Te Paki o Matariki, he listened to the old people to help him piece together so much of what remained a mystery. He was influenced by Maaori thinkers and kaumaatua of the time; notably, Pei Te Hurinui Jones, Maharaia Winiata, Te Whati Tamati, Piri Poutapu, Dave Manihera and Te Puea.

In later years, his university connections brought him into contact with a range of influences like; Hoani Waititi, Hugh Kawharu, Bruce Biggs, John Rangihau, Miria Simpson and James Ritchie. Dad continued to surround himself with people who possessed a thirst for knowledge of the Maaori and Pakeha worlds.

Travelling to study at Oxford University provided a physical separation from Waahi and the Kiingitanga that allowed him to explore his own passion. He gained insight into British culture which ironically became a reflective point for understanding the Waikato experience of raupatu, colonisation and the

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pursuit of justice. This in turn helped dad to seek the resolution of past wrongs and the return of raupatu lands.

Dad’s military background had a bearing on how he treated us as young children and his love for Waahi remained intact as he wanted our brother to be brought up there with the old people. For us girls, we saw mum’s leadership in our early years as she worked while dad studied and in fact, we can’t remember many times when she wasn’t working to make sure we had the best opportunities.

There was a quickening of intent when we returned from England. Our parents immersed themselves in the life of Waahi and the tribe. Mum being the right hand to dad’s vision saw her get more involved in creating local employment and training initiatives at Waahi and this quickly augmented itself through the Tainui Maori Trust Board.

Dad, while working at the Centre for Maori Studies and Research, was keen to capture the development experience and coined the phrase that there should be ‘no research without development’. He was scathing of academic pursuits that did not improve the lives of people. This resulted in the utilisation of the Centre to generate iwi related research projects as pre-cursors to Waitangi Tribunal claims.

In hindsight, our parent’s lives seemed to be for the sole purpose of supporting the Kiingitanga ambition – to advance the aspirations of tribes that were seeking their own models for development. Some people called it self-determination or mana motuhake. Everyone recognised that the process for seeking justice required a steely resolve. Others will tell the story of how the settlement was reached, for our part; we believe that these building blocks towards the settlement process was vital.

What remained absolutely necessary was that the negotiations kept faith with the legacy aspirations of the old people, that unity of the tribe was crucial, that the intellectual rigour informing the raupatu claim and negotiation method was the very best, that faith above all else would provide direction in uncertain times.

We recall endless meetings both private and public, numerous conversations, meetings with consultants, lawyers, opinion leaders. However, the most important conversation that mum and dad had through both their periods of negotiating with the Crown was with Te Ata. Her wise counsel, faith and consistent guidance remained a touchstone in the most challenging of times. It was always about the people.

The unique principle of a ‘land for land settlement’ instead of a cash pay-out significantly challenged the Crown in the raupatu settlement and this alone drove a negotiation benchmark for dad that assumed everything was on the table until he could get enough consent to agree.

In addition to the substance of the redress package, the transfer of Hopuhopu and Te Rapa as gifts, the interest earned on the settlement, the relativity clause and the preservation of outstanding claims are pillars to the settlement that delivered important benefits to the tribe.

In the river settlement the concept of co-governance and co-management and a greater stake in the on-going management of the Waikato River provided an intergenerational advantage for the river and the people – hence the clean-up fund.

The Crown agreed to establish the Sir Robert Mahuta Endowment Fund and acknowledge that the tribe would develop its own research knowledge base about the river, its environs,

“Early childhood experiences left an impression on our parents, one steeped in a commitment to the aspirations of the Kiingitanga and the other encouraged to explore the world through education and personal pursuit”


preservation and sustainable management. They are nonetheless hard fought and won gains for Waikato-Tainui and became models for other tribes who wanted to innovate redress options for their settlements.

Unfinished BusinessLittle will be said about the years directly following the raupatu settlement as they were the most challenging and contentious. Internal divisions, bitter disputes and fundamental conflict about the role of the Kiingitanga to the tribe started to see much of the tribe’s business affairs being conducted in the front of the media and in the Maaori Land Court. We would like to say that a lot can be learned from this time, as memories fade, some of the real lessons from a painful part of our experience are very rarely discussed without acrimony.

The raupatu and river settlements specifically set out footprints for future generations to follow. Our parents were clear about the nature of their sacrifice to achieving these settlements, they did not want the burden of the past to reach their grandchildren but rather the optimism of the future and a better life. We collectively do our little bit to uphold the vision that our parents had whether it is on the marae, amongst the tribe or in the broader Maaori development context. We know that making sure that the next generation are at the forefront of our efforts, the intergenerational benefits will be realised.

Dad did not want to receive the KNZM award and was convinced by Te Ata and mum that he had to accept ‘for the old people’. Perhaps dad thought that there was still a lot of work to do. When we think about the issues that were on his mind they include;

• Resolving the Waikato River and the outstanding claims• Evolving and improving the tribes governance structure• Developing responsible commercial imperatives that would grow the tribal asset base and ensure those benefits reached the people• See the active contribution of the Endowed College to growing thought leadership• Maintain marae life and development aspiration• Create employment, training and entrepreneurial models• Pursue a Tainui vision for health and wellbeing in an ever changing world• Create the foundation for Kiingitanga relationships both from a cultural, social, political and commercial context.

As a modern evolving tribe, we have 20 years of experience to look back on. Mum picked up where dad left off and it was no surprise that she achieved what she did. Our mother remained staunch to the ideals held by dad and Te Ata – she mended bridges that were damaged so that people could try to move forward from the pain of the early years of settlement.

Mum was also able to bring foresight within the context of the river settlement, understanding that even if it took one generation to clean up the river, it was an ideal worth committing one’s life work to. It was also a legacy that she and dad would be proud to leave their mokopuna.

Finally as a little family the saying that best captures the contribution of our parents is that of Sir Christopher Wren who built the St Pauls Cathedral in London. There is a small plaque with a simple epitaph that reads: If you seek his monument, look around you. We are proud of mum and dads legacy of achievement through the settlements and acknowledge all who helped and committed their lives to its fruition.

Pai Maarire

“They did not want the burden of the past to reach

their grandchildren but rather the optimism of the

future and a better life”Naa te whaanau Mahuta eenei koorero.

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Raupatu Community2015

NAU MAI, HAERE MAI

Claudelands Arena, Hamilton TICKETS AT WWW.TICKETEK.CO.NZ

2-6pmMay30th

Saturday

Waikato-Tainui invites you all to join us to commemorate the 20th Anniversary of the Waikato Raupatu Claims Settlement

Featuring:• Raupatu Exhibition & Stall• Raupatu Rangatahi Production• Local Talent Featured• National Performances by: Josh Leys, Leon Wharekura, Rewa

Ututaonga, Jamey Ferguson, Annie Crummer & Three Houses Down

PREMIUM TICKETS:$50 Family (2 adults x children) $35 Adult $25 Student

GENERAL ADMISSION:$40 Family (2 adults 2 children) $25 Adult $15 Student $10 (child over 5 years)

Prizes & Giveaways

Celebrationeveryone welcome

ENJOY A FAMILY FRIENDLY CELEBRATION WITH FANTASTIC PERFORMANCES, ENTERTAINMENT, RAUPATU EXHIBITION AND STALL


On 22 May 1995 Te Arikinui Te Atairangikaahu signed the historic Deed of Settlement on behalf of Waikato-Tainui, reconciling 132 years of injustice and pain. In 2015 a range of events are being held to mark this significant 20-year milestone.

Commemorating 20 years ofRAUPATU SETTLEMENT

Raupatu Community2015

NAU MAI, HAERE MAI

Claudelands Arena, Hamilton TICKETS AT WWW.TICKETEK.CO.NZ

2-6pmMay30th

Saturday

Waikato-Tainui invites you all to join us to commemorate the 20th Anniversary of the Waikato Raupatu Claims Settlement

Featuring:• Raupatu Exhibition & Stall• Raupatu Rangatahi Production• Local Talent Featured• National Performances by: Josh Leys, Leon Wharekura, Rewa

Ututaonga, Jamey Ferguson, Annie Crummer & Three Houses Down

PREMIUM TICKETS:$50 Family (2 adults x children) $35 Adult $25 Student

GENERAL ADMISSION:$40 Family (2 adults 2 children) $25 Adult $15 Student $10 (child over 5 years)

Prizes & Giveaways

Celebrationeveryone welcome

ENJOY A FAMILY FRIENDLY CELEBRATION WITH FANTASTIC PERFORMANCES, ENTERTAINMENT, RAUPATU EXHIBITION AND STALL Rahui Papa, chairman of Te Arataura, says 2015 is a year to

remember and commemorate the people lost and sacrifices made, struggles endured and overcome, and the opportunities for development that the settlement has enabled.

“The last 20 years have seen huge strides in our development across the board. We are investing record levels into educating and improving the lives of our members, assisting kaumaatua, supporting the development of marae, protecting our environment, retaining our cultural knowledge and practices, and in building our economic prosperity,” says Rahui.

“We have much to be thankful for and it is proper that we take the time to remember all those who are responsible for what we have today; none more so than our courageous tuupuna who fought and died defending our lands and honour, and those who continued the fight until apology, resolution and recompense was achieved.”

Raupatu commemorations began at Hopuhopu on 21 December last year with an event to mark the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Heads of Agreement. The day included the unveiling of a pou haki, an official launch ceremony and a formal dinner.

Tribal members will have the opportunity to attend commemoration events throughout this year, including:

Commemoration of the Signing of the Deed of SettlementThis will be held at Turangawaewae Marae, Ngaaruawaahia, on Friday 22 May 2015. The programme includes poowhiri, waka taua salute, rangatahi raupatu production, and a raupatu exhibition. A highlight will be the debut performance of specially-commissioned waiata and haka created for the anniversary. These items have been composed as a collaborative effort by the groups who represented Waikato-Tainui at this year’s Te Matatini festival.

The poowhiri will commence at 10am followed by Hakaari and Raupatu Commemorative Celebrations.

Raupatu Community Celebration Open to the public, this celebration festival will be held at Claudelands Events Centre, Hamilton, on Saturday 30 May 2015 from 2pm to 6pm. It is a whaanau day of entertainment aimed at raising awareness of the Raupatu. A great line-up of entertainers has been confirmed and will feature Josh Leys, Leon Wharekura, Rewa Ututanga, Jaime Ferguson, Annie Crummer and Three Houses Down. The Raupatu Exhibition will be on-site and branded merchandise available for sale.

Tickets are $40 for 2 adults and 2 children, $25 individual, $15 Student, $10 Child and can be purchased from Wednesday 27 May 2015 at ticketek.co.nz.

Rangatahi SummitThis biennial event is aimed at empowering our rangatahi to be future leaders, re-engage with their whakapapa and the Kiingitanga, and to embrace whakawhanaungatanga. This year’s theme for the two-day summit, which will be held in South Auckland, is Raupatu. Keep watching our tribal Facebook page for date and venue details. Royal Assent AnniversaryA tribal leadership delegation will host an event in Wellington on Tuesday 3 November 2015 to commemorate the passing into legislation of the Waikato Raupatu Claims Settlement Act 1995. This remains the only settlement legislation to date signed by Queen Elizabeth II.

Raupatu Anniversary Official ClosingA whaanau day will be held at Hopuhopu to officially bring to a close the Raupatu anniversary year. This event will be open to all tribal members and entry is free. Details of venue and date will be confirmed soon.

Mementos including a commemorative book, branded merchandise and apparel, and a commemorative pin are in production and will be available for purchase at most events.

Enquiries can be forwarded to Events Manager Aroha Te Kanawa via email, [email protected]

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Natural causes and human activity have caused the mass erosion of land and sand banks along the northern stretches of the Kaawhia Harbour which is home to the Tainui Waka, Ahurei and also Maketuu Marae.

The extent of the erosion was highlighted by local hapuu Ngaati Mahuta who have taken it upon themselves to monitor and protect these sights of cultural significance. Speaking at the Maketuu Marae poukai in March, marae chairperson Horahaere Scott stressed that it’s an issue that’s become bigger than the erosion of land, it’s now about protecting our tribal history.

“The haukainga has always been concerned about erosion, but before there was only a little bit of erosion from the walls which was manageable. Now, the land is coming away right along the coastline from Paringatai, passed the marae and Ahurei, right down to Matatua Point, and even around to Te Puia Springs,” says Horahaere.

“The erosion is causing a lot of the land to wash away into the moana. Sand dunes are becoming small sand banks and the retaining wall that we have needs strengthening as the movement of the sand is happening faster than expected. It’s got to the point now where the erosion is threatening our marae, our whenua and our waka.”

In an effort to combat the erosion, whaanau from Kaawhia set up the Onepu Charitable Trust. Established in 2009, the Onepu Trust has taken responsibility for monitoring the effects of the erosion and also carrying out measures to help prevent or slow down the process.

Horahaere says, “We’ve found there are a lot of factors that are causing it, but the three main causes are Tangaroa; boats and their size and speed; and, vehicles that go up and down the beach. We can’t control Tangaroa, but we can certainly look at doing something about the other two.”

By doing something, Horahaere is proposing that the beach access way below Maketuu Marae be closed to those who aren’t on foot. “Before, we didn’t want to stop the traffic because at the time we had some of our elderly locals going around on their bike to the lagoon to fish and we didn’t want to stop their access.”

Now, Horahaere says, “It’s come to the point where we might have to look at blocking it off because there are others that aren’t listening and continue to abuse the land and we’re sick of it. People are doing wheelies and running over and killing the plants that are holding the banks up which is causing more problems for us.”

She says, “If we do nothing, the land will be washed away, the pa will be gone, Ahurei will be no more and the waka will end up out there somewhere and our whaanau here in Kaawhia don’t want to take that risk by waiting to see what happens so it’s time for action now.”

To date, the Onepu Trust along with volunteers and whaanau from Kaawhia and surrounding districts have been planting pingao and spinifex along the banks. “The plants are a natural way to hold the sand and stop the soil from eroding. It also stops the wind from taking the sand away too,” says Horahaere.

“We’ve also been building fascines – it’s like a fence that is interlined with branches. Using our natural resources is working, but more needs to be done. We’re trying to do our best, but we’re only just the little people and it’s a really big job. We need more manpower and funding – big time!”

The Onepu Trust is currently receiving assistance from Opus. Horahaere says, “Opus have been really good. Their engineer volunteered his time and expertise, and also provided us with a report that looked at other erosion prevention options. Their help is very much appreciated – at long last there is action being made.”

The options being considered by the Onepu Trust is the construction of a seawall made of gabion baskets, rock rip raps or wooden groins. All three seawall options are costly, but will offer a permanent solution to stopping the erosion.

“To protect our waka we need to build an effective seawall, but to make it happen we need help and support from all our whaanau who belong to Tainui Waka,” says Horahaere. “People have to realise, that caring for our waka is a collective responsibility as the waka belongs to all of us who descend from it.”

After crossing the oceans from Hawaiki to Aotearoa, the Tainui Waka made landfall in Kaawhia to its final resting place at the base of Ahurei.

Today, some 700 years later, this resting place is under threat by the impacts of coastal erosion.


“If we do nothing, the land will be washed away, the pa will be gone, Ahurei will be no more and the waka will end up out there somewhere and our whaanau here in Kaawhia don’t want to take that risk by waiting to see what happens so it’s time for action now”

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The Waikato-Tainui Housing Survey was created to find out about our tribal members current housing situation and their aspirations, with the intent of guiding how we develop our future tribal housing initiatives.

The survey has been open for more than two months and has received approximately 2200 responses so far, revealing the following information:

HOUSING STATUS48% Renting or Boarding33% Home Owners15% Live in Whaanau Owned Home2% Live in Papakainga2% Live in Transitional Housing

Sales

1st Qtr

2nd Qtr

3rd Qtr

4th Qtr

Sales

1st Qtr

2nd Qtr

3rd Qtr

4th Qtr

Tribal Engagement Hui to discuss the findings and direction of the tribal housing strategy will be held in May 2015.

South Auckland Wednesday May 13, 6-8pm Pukekohe Thursday May 14, 6-8pmHamilton Sunday 17 May, 10-12pm Hopuhopu Wednesday 20 May, 6-8pmTe Awamutu Thursday 21 May, 6-8pm

* Venues are still to be confirmed. Updated information will be posted to waikatotainui.com

Saving towards home ownership

intend to buy a

rental or investment property

say finance is the

greatest barrier to home ownership


Waikato-Tainui has awarded $875,000 in tertiary education grants and scholarships to tribal members in its latest round of distributions.

The grants and scholarships have given 657 tribal members a financial boost towards their undergraduate and graduate studies. The majority of recipients are studying at undergraduate level while 71 are completing their masters degree or higher.

Grants & Distributions Adviser, Jackie Haggie, says “Waikato-Tainui grants and scholarships are about acknowledging the excellence and academic success of our tribal members. It’s also about building the capability of our people by providing opportunities that support them in reaching their full potential.”

Priority for distributions was given to those studying in the areas of environmental science, health and medical science,

engineering, business management, and early childhood education. “Distributing grants in these areas aims to encourage the completion of qualifications and development of skills required to fill the gaps in the employment market by meeting the needs of in-demand industries and sectors.”

Jackie says, “The tribe also supports educational achievement in Te Reo and maatauranga Maaori with more than $90,000 of moneys distributed to tribal members studying in this area.”

Awarded annually, the Waikato-Tainui Tertiary Education Grants and Tumate Mahuta Memorial Scholarships are open to all registered tribal members living and studying in Aotearoa.

More information on these opportunities as well as other grants can be found on our tribal website, waikatotainui.com, or by contacting Jackie on 07 858 0440 or via email at [email protected]

The Waikato-Tainui environmental management plan – Tai Tumu, Tai Pari, Tai Ao – has won the New Zealand Planning Institute Best Practice award for Excellence in Strategic Planning and Guidance.

Announced in April the plan, which was launched in 2013, has been hailed by the NZPI as an environmental plan that is inclusive and innovative and which crosses the cultural, linguistic and legislative divides to create transformation change for Waikato-Tainui, the region and the environment.

Richard Douch, chairman of the Waikato branch of NZPI, nominated the plan for the award and says it provides clear high-level guidance on Waikato-Tainui environmental objectives and policies to resource managers and users, activity operators, and regulators.

“The Plan supports and promotes a consistent, coordinated and collaborative approach to natural resource and environmental management across the Waikato-Tainui rohe,” says Richard.

Waikato-Tainui Chief Executive Parekawhia McLean says the award recognised the tribe’s commitment to the protection and restoration of the environment. Its work to restore the health of the Waikato River was a specific focus.

“Tai Tumu, Tai Pari, Tai Ao is inspired by the maimai aroha of Kiingi Tawhiao. While exiled in the King Country, he lamented the loss of the tribe’s fertile lands, river and pristine natural resources following the Land Wars of the 1860s.”

She says, “The overarching purpose of this Plan is to restore the environment, in a modern day context, to the state that Kiingi Taawhiao observed.” Objectives and policies in the Plan were crafted with his maimai aroha in mind.

Parekawhia says the award also recognised and acknowledged the staff, advisers, partners and tribal members who contributed to its development.

Tai Tumu, Tai Pari, Tai AoA WINNERsay finance is the

greatest barrier to home ownership

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te hookioi | 54


Easter is generally a time for me to chill and relax after a very busy couple of months leading up to it, however this year I did something quite different. This year I participated in a journey of discovery along the Waikato River – Te Tira Hoe o Waikato 2015.

The official documentation I received after enrolment was the ‘tira’ is an opportunity for the people of Waikato-Tainui to take a journey on the Waikato River aimed at reinforcing the relationship between the people and their awa – that being my people and my awa.

I have whaanau and friends who had already taken this journey in previous years, all coming away saying how truly awesome it was for them. With that said, I entered into the tira with an open mind and without any expectations, but there were places along the journey that I wanted to rediscover, if only to rekindle some wonderful childhood memories growing up under the guidance of my grandparents on the awa and the stories they shared with me.

Upon reflection, my grandparents taught me that the awa will provide strength and direction for us throughout our lives. It flows through us, just as we flow through it. With every turn, there is a purpose and with every purpose there is knowledge to be gained or lessons to be learnt. The awa must be respected and we must look after it, so the awa can continue to look after us long after we have physically left this life.

The journey covered a distance of 125km by river and 300km by road, from the source of the awa at Waikato Iti to the mouth at Port Waikato, and it truly was an uplifting experience - physically, spiritually, socially and emotionally. Connections reclaimed. New relationships formed. New knowledge gained. Lessons learnt. Tears shed. Laughter had. Respect confirmed. Purpose delivered!

I am very humbled to have been a part of this journey with the other 70 plus whaanau who came along with me. It’s an experience that I am proud that I lived, that I loved and more importantly, that I learnt.

I thoroughly encourage all Waikato-Tainui whaanau who are registered with the tribe to take on this journey. It will be one of the best investments into your future you will ever make.

Through my grandparents, and now through Te Tira Hoe o Waikato, my connection to the awa remains strong. It has, and always will continue to nourish me physically, socially, emotionally and spiritually. It’s now my turn to ensure I repay that commitment.

Naa Delwyn Abraham, Turangawaewae Marae, te koorero nei.

te hookioi | 54

Premier kapa haka from around Aotearoa and Australia came together for Te Matatini held earlier this year in Otautahi. Four teams represented Tainui Waka, including Te Iti Kahurangi, Te Pou o Mangatawhiri, Ngaa Pou o Roto and Mootai Tangata Rau.

Te Iti Kahurangi and Te Pou o Mangatawhiri made it to the finals, placing fifth and eighth respectively. First time Te Matatini performers Mootai Tangata Rau were also named the winners of the Mobil Oil Te Reo Excellence Trophy, which recognises excellence in Te Reo Maaori (written and performed).

However, this year’s competition was not without controversy as Te Iti Kahurangi sparked debate among the masses with its haka criticising Māori Television and the way in which they report their news items. Their criticism prompted Māori Television to edit out the roopuu’s haka from its online coverage, outraging kaihaka and kapa haka fans.

Te Arataura Chairman Rahui Papa said that while Māori Television had since reversed that decision, the matter had served as a reminder to protect not only the right to freedom of speech but also the age-old Maaori customary practise to openly discuss and debate issues.

“Censoring Te Iti Kahurangi not only impinged on the right to freedom of speech but did not align with an important tikanga that has been practised for generations,” said Rahui.

“Speaking our minds openly is an integral part of Maaori custom and the kapa haka stage is an acknowledged cultural forum for the expression of views and opinions on issues that affect us all.”

Rahui said the issue had been robustly discussed and debated at the poukai at Oowairaka Marae with speakers endorsing the right of Te Iti Kahurangi to freedom of speech and expressing concern at the decision Māori Television had taken.


In March, Tainui Group Holdings – the commercial arm of Waikato-Tainui, hosted some of our kaumaatua at the Auckland Airport Novotel Hotel as part of their TGH Kaumaatua Asset Tours initiative.

Initiated in 2014, the tours are an opportunity for our kaumaatua to check out some of the tribe’s key assets and also learn more about how TGH intends to generate wealth for the benefit of the tribe now and in the future. Preparations are already underway for more Kaumaatua Asset Tours so watch this space!

Kaumaatua TIPI HAERE

PoukaiHARATUA 23 Ngaati Pikiao

PIPIRI 14 Poohara

HERE-TURI-KOOKAA 31 Whaataapaka

MAHURU 13 Tauranganui

KoroneihanaHERE-TURI-KOOKAA 19 Kawe mate o Tainui 20 Kawe mate o te motu 21 Raa Koroneihana o Kiingi Tuheitia 22 Haakinakina, Kapa Haka 23 Haakinakina, Kapa Haka

See kiingitanga.com for more information.

Financial Literacy WORKSHOPS Do you need help managing your money? Together with BNZ, we're holding Good With Money workshops to assist people of all levels with money management.

The workshops cover setting your money goals, budgeting and taking control of your money, dealing with debt and preparing a savings plan. The following workshops are available to tribal members:

BE GOOD WITH MONEy – HAMILTON Tuesday 5 May, 5pm-8pm Tuesday 9 June, 5pm-8pm

BE GOOD WITH MONEy – SOUTH AUCKLAND Tuesday – 19 May, 9am – 12noon Thursday – 25 June, 1pm – 4pm

To register your interest for any of these workshops, email [email protected]

Tainui Secondary Schools KAPA HAKASecondary schools from around the Tainui Waka rohe will gather to compete in the biennial kapa haka competition being held at the Claudelands Arena in Kirikiriroa on Saturday 16 May.

Career Opportunities a Click Away

Nurturing young Engineers Sharing our Stories

with The World

facebook.com/Waikato.Te.Iwi

The careers website project was led by Waikato-Tainui Employment Broker, Kawena Jones, who sees the new site becoming a vital tool in helping our tribal members connect with meaningful employment and training opportunities.

“Our goal as a tribal entity is to grow and develop future iwi leaders who are strong in their reo and tikanga, well connected to their marae and hapuu, living healthy lifestyles and are outstanding performers in their chosen field, and this website is a step towards achieving this goal,” says Kawena.

“Waikato-Tainui has established meaningful partnerships with various organisations and tertiary institutions which will enable us to support the development of employment opportunities that aim to enhance and further the career development of our people.”

The tribal careers website will feature job vacancies as well as training opportunities such as cadetships and internships. It will also have similar functionalities as that of seek.co.nz – New Zealand’s leading employment site. “Like Seek, users of our careers website will be able to register to receive alerts on employment and training

opportunities and upload or submit their CVs,” says Kawena.

Partner organisations will also have the opportunity to utilise the recruitment services Waikato-Tainui offer. These services include, creating job descriptions; advertising; screening and shortlisting of candidates; interviews; candidate testing; presentation and negotiation of offers; employment agreement support; assistance with induction processes; and, post-placement follow up.

“The intent behind waikatotainuicareers.com is to make the search for jobs or training opportunities more efficient and easy for our tribal members, and also provide a platform for our partner organisations to highlight opportunities they may have that are specific to our people.”

To see the new careers website go to waikatotainuicareers.com. Kawena says, “Check it out and if you see where we could make improvements or you want to know more about something let us know. We want to ensure that what we are providing our people is relevant so any feedback is appreciated.”

Waikato-Tainui recently launched its careers website, waikatotainuicareers.com, to the masses. The fresh and innovative site allows tribal members to access information on employment and training opportunities that will enhance and further their career development


Sports Grants are available to registered tribal members who are participating in sporting and recreational activities.

Supporting Sporting

ExCELLENCE


Last month, more than 120 tauira from Te Wharekura o Raakaumanga and Te Kura Kaupapa Maaori o Bernard Fergusson took part in the Young Engineers Programme which teaches rangatahi about science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) subjects through the use of Lego.

Waikato-Tainui Education Adviser Raewyn Mahara says, “The programme was run as an engineering challenge, where our tauira had to design and build a power plant model using Lego toolkits, and then present their solution to a panel of judges.”

Separated into groups of 7-8, the tauira were asked to find a solution to the following issue: Waikato-Tainui has decided to build a power plant at Hopuhopu; however, they can’t decide if it should be coal, hydro, wind or solar.

Raewyn says, “Critical thinking, team work, collaboration and analysis are just some of the skills our tauira were required to

Nurturing

yOUNG ENGINEERSutilise during the programme, and these skills were evident in the models they presented, which included portable windmills and turbine-like devices.”

An education goal for Waikato-Tainui is to develop pathways for our rangatahi that will help steer them towards studying STEM subjects and pursuing a career in the sciences.

“A key outcome from this programme was about opening up new pathways and possibilities to our tauira and their whaanau,” says Raewyn. “Future trends show that careers will be heavily reliant on STEM knowledge and skills so it’s important that we engage rangatahi in these subject areas now.”

More Young Engineers Programmes are planned in Te Awamutu and Waharoa during the second school term with the aim of extending it to other kura throughout the rohe over the next two years.

An initiative aimed at sparking rangatahi interest in the sciences is proving successful following the recent launch of the Waikato-Tainui Young Engineers Programme.

Te Kaahui Rangatahi is a rangatahi driven initiative that is committed to enhancing rangatahi engagement and connection with the Kiingitanga. To get involved go to facebook.com/TeKaahuiRangatahi

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Hone-Haunui Rapana is living his dream as a news reporter for Māori Television’s Te Kāea, his inspiration being his passion for Maaoritanga and sharing our histories, our stories and our traditions on screen.

Sharing our stories with

THE WORLD“Telling stories about who we are and how far we’ve come as a people is something I’ve always wanted to do,” says Hone of Ngaati Mahuta. “My passion and experience has come from listening to koorero from the paepae, the way our kaumaatua both koroheke and ruruhi use descriptive kupu to share our stories and convey their feelings.”

This form of storytelling is what led him to his current job. “I was interviewed on TV about my thoughts on Kiingitanga while I attended Koroneihana in 2014 and it was from there that I was fortunate to get a position with Māori TV,” says Hone.

And his first assignment: the Deadlands movie premier. “It was a movie with only Te Reo Maaori being spoken and it also featured our art of patu and taiaha. I also got to meet and interview the stars themselves who were all Maaori,” says Hone.

“I had concerns about whether or not our traditions, our history and our culture would survive the modern world of technology, but after covering the Deadlands movie, it made it clear to me of the kinds of things we can do if we work hard to combine both worlds together – Maaori and media.” As a news reporter Hone is responsible for researching story leads, interviewing, script writing and editing the day’s footage in time for the Te Kāea news bulletin at 5.30pm. “I went to WINTEC to do Radio Broadcasting and learnt the art of using your voice and being specific with information, and then on to South Seas Film & Television where I learnt to script and identify how to visually enhance a story.

“Both institutions gave me the knowledge and understanding around how to tell stories effectively, but it is my reo, tikanga and wairua Maaori that set the foundations for what I’m doing now,” says Hone. “I care about how hard our ancestors fought to ensure our reo and culture would survive so the least I, or we, could do is ensure it survives during and beyond our times, and I believe using media appropriately is one way to do it.”

Hone’s passion for Maaoritanga is also evident in what he does in his spare time as he’s an active member of Te Kaahui Rangatahi – a rangatahi driven initiative that is committed to enhancing rangatahi engagement and connection with the Kiingitanga.

“It’s really important for all of us to ensure that we uphold the kaupapa of Kiingitanga in a humble manner. Kiingitanga is what has grounded me,” says Hone. “And rangatahi are the leaders of tomorrow so we need to step up, follow, listen, learn and support our leaders of today.”

Looking ahead, Hone says, “Eventually I want to come home and do this kind of work for our iwi, documenting and telling our stories for our people. For now though, I’ll add as many tools as I can to my belt and learn as much as I can from the experts we have working at Māori TV.”

So for those rangatahi wanting to pursue a career in film and television, “Practise in the mirror and learn from your role models. Once you figure out exactly what it is you want to do in media or in life, work hard and do it!”, says Hone.

“I care about how hard our ancestors fought to ensure our reo and culture would survive so the least I, or we, could do is ensure it survives during and beyond our times, and I believe using media appropriately is one way to do it”

te hookioi issue 54

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