Te Hookioi Issue 43

issue 43 | raumati 2013 | He PAANuiTANGA WAiKATO-TAiNui | iSSN 1173-7530

> TriMaaori Festival> Chiefs stay at Raungaiti marae> Te Ope Koiora - Whaanau Ora update> River Restoration and Research update> Museum celebrates an extraordinary Maaori Leader

2 |Te HOOKiOi - issue 43

aaHuataNGa 04 message from Kiingi tuheitia

08 Waikato museum celebrates an extraordinary maaori Leader

11 trimaaori Festival

18 Chiefs stay at raungaiti marae

KOOrErO PaKi07 raumati Editorial

14 te Ope Koiora - Whaanau ora updates

15 Waikato-tainui College updates

20 river restoration and research updates

FOr YOur KEtE22 St Stephens School paanui

23 Ngaa Poukai moo 2013

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raarangi upoko photoChiefs player pictured here during their marae stay. Courtesy of Peter Meecham, Fairfax Media.

Front cover photo Te Matara o te Haerenga opening, courtesy of Waikato Museum.


Ka huri raa te tau.

He tau whakaahuru te tau.

He tau pai te tau.

Kia hiwa ko te tau!

The New Year is now well under way and it is with a growing sense of optimism for the future that i write this message to you. it has been a very busy first quarter and there is much to tell.

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in January Kokohinau Marae at Te Teko celebrated the 50th anniversary of their Poukai. My party was hosted during our stay by Hemana Manuera and his whaanau who opened their home to us and made us all feel very welcome. My grandfather, King Koroki granted Kokohinau a Poukai in 1963. Their celebrations showed a strength of commitment to the Kiingitanga that was truly humbling. Hemana and his people also produced a commemorative book to mark the 50th Anniversary, which was presented to representatives from all Poukai Marae. i was very moved by their generosity and warmth. in fact, i have been humbled by the support and aroha that has been extended to me at all my Poukai visits this year.

in February, more than 1100 people answered my call for a Hui-aa-iwi to discuss a new way forward.

After five years of total disruption within our tribal parliament, enough is enough. We must now find a new way, a better way, a more efficient and effective way to

perform our duties and deliver better outcomes.

There were some thought-provoking presentations from the keynote speakers and some heart-felt korero from the floor over the two days. One of the speakers suggested that we should be mindful, in sharing our korero and whakaaro, of ‘preaching to the converted’.

i saw things a bit differently. First, we heard no preaching, we heard passion. And i didn’t see the converted; but there were hundreds of the committed. Committed to finding solutions to our internal division, committed to finding structures to deliver on the expectations of our whaanau, committed to our iwi, and committed to te Kiingitanga.

My commitment should never be doubted, or questioned. it is time, as my mother once said, ‘to get it right’. There was much korero about finding a unity of purpose and committing to a vision. Here is where te Kiingitanga provides guidance. Kiingitanga is a collective force that has as much

Photo: Maeroa school children planting at Tuurangawaewae Marae

Photo: Kokohinau 50th Poukai


relevance today as it did in Pootatau’s time – in some ways maybe even more. it is Kiingitanga that guides our tikanga. it is a force for mana motuhake. it’s in our whakapapa, and part of our history, but it is only when we let it into our hearts that we feed our wairua and draw inner strength from it. it nourished us and provided a guiding light during our dark times. it will be the korowai that provides shelter and shade in these lighter times.

in response to one of the strong recommendations from the Hui, i have now appointed a sponsors Group to operate under my mana. The sponsors Group comprises me, the chair of Te Arataura, the chair of Te Kauhanganui, the chair of Tainui Group Holdings, and Nanaia Mahuta. My KA Rep will sit in for me when i am unable to attend.

The sponsors Group will oversee the work of the Working Party. i have appointed the CeO of the Lands Trust, the CeO of Tainui Group Holdings, the CeO of the Office of the Kiingitanga and Tania simpson to this group.

Having taken this difficult first step i will not stand by and see others thwart or divert attention away from what is a critical kaupapa: the ability of this tribe to manage its affairs in a way that meets the aspirations of all tribal members. in appointing these people i made it clear to them that they are stakeholders in this process. i reminded them that they are obliged to do their best to improve the lives and futures of our people and i expect them to get the support of their respective organisations for this mahi. Assurances were sought that they would be able to put aside personal agendas and join with me at this critical time. As head of this tribe, and of the Kiingitanga, it is my job, just as it is theirs, to advocate for, and care for, our people. The difference is that theirs is a responsibility, whereas mine is a solemn duty.

Recently i approved the release of a summary Document, which collated all the korero from the Hui-aa-iwi. This Report will provide the reader with a very good understanding of the issues and concerns as discussed at the Hui.

in February we met with a party led by the President and CeO of Hawaiian Airlines, Mark Dunkerley, and his wife. The occasion was the announcement of the commencement of direct flights between Honolulu and Auckland, by Hawaiian Airlines. The linkages between ourselves and the Pacific, nurtured by Te Puea Herangi in the 1930s and 1940s and built upon by my mother are an essential element of the Kiingitanga. They will only grow more important as we look outwards and seek to chart a course within the global community of indigenous nations.

We are hosting a large party of Hawaiians at the Tuurangawaewae Regatta which, as i write this, is just a few days away. There is no other event in our tribal calendar that showcases the Kiingitanga, and our whakapapa as a river people better than the Regatta. However, with drought now gripping much of the country, Kaumaatua tell me they have never seen such low river levels. An unwelcome result of this was the exposure of rubbish and erosion along the river bank. The floating barge was also left on a precarious angle that would have made it unsafe for use during the Regatta. i want to thank the people who helped me refloat the barge to make it useable – and thank you to those whaanau who came along to watch and tautoko our mahi.

To those – including Maeroa school pupils and teachers and Progress to Health – who planted some 1000 plants around the barge area and surrounding riverbank to make the area more attractive and help prevent further erosion, we thank you. The demands made on the river for things like watering pastures, irrigating crops and for power generation cannot continue unchecked. The health of our awa and our health as a people are inextricably linked, and if we are to grow and prosper as a people, so too must we protect and sustain our River. i take heart from the fact that the supreme Court, in its recent judgment acknowledged that Maaori rights over water do exist. We may have lost the battle to stop the sell-off of state power generation assets, but the war is far from won and i have no doubt that ‘right’ will ultimately prevail over ‘might’.

Paimaarire Kiingi Tuheitia KCLJPhotos supplied by the Office of the maaori King

Photo: Hui-aa-iwi Photo: Kiingi Tuheitia

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invaluable resource and has been in need of revamping for a few years now. Later in the year, the tribal Development team will be holding hui with marae to demonstrate the new look register and seek feedback on how marae would like to access the database. individual tribal members will also be able to access the register under strict security protocols to update their details ‘on-line’.

Finally, on a serious note. maaori have the highest rates of suicide in New Zealand (16 per 100,000 or put another way, approximately 100 people a year). in 2010, the maaori youth suicide rate was more than 2.5 times higher than non-maaori. this unacceptable level reflects that some of our rangatahi are not coping and need help. it highlights the importance of improving services, especially rangatahi to maaori, who are vulnerable to self-harm. it is also the reason why we are supporting the campaign “riders against teenage Suicide – it’s Not Okay to Go that Way”. they are riding into Hopuhopu on Saturday 23 march, 10am.

Ngaa manaakitanga Parekawhia mcLean - Chief Executive

tribal Pride is one of our organisation’s strategic priorities. it means celebrating and acknowledging success – be it at an individual, marae, hapuu or collective level. matatini 2013 for Waikato-tainui was certainly cause for celebration with the outstanding and inspirational performances from te iti Kahurangi, te Pou o mangatawhiri and Ngaa Pou o roto. te iti Kahurangi finished third best equal overall (out of 41 groups) and brought home a raft of individual prizes along with te Pou o mangatawhiri who also made the top nine. We should all be proud of their achievements. Ngaa mihi nui ki a ratou. i look forward to matatini 2015 hosted by Ngaai tahu and perhaps we - Waikato-tainui/tainui waka should make a bid for matatini 2017 – definitely food for thought.

the end of this month also marks the end of our financial year. Over the past few months, the Waikato raupatu Lands trust and the Waikato raupatu river trust have been preparing its annual work plans for the next financial year. We have a number of initiatives underway and some in the pipeline. We look forward to sharing these with you and following consideration later this month by te Kauhanganui of our budget.

One particular project we are eagerly looking to complete is the upgrade of our tribal register (our beneficiary roll) in June. the tribal register is an

tE HOOKiOi CONtriButiONS & PaNui if you would like to add a Marae or tribal event to the calendar, please email Renee Renata on [email protected] for advice on submitting articles (500 word limit), images, closing and publishing dates.

All correspondence will be considered, we can not guarantee all stories will be published due to printing deadlines.

All Marae are welcome to submit material for a Marae Panui Feature. There is a 500 Word limit and accompanied with a photo of the (at least 300dpi, JPeG) and include a caption.

Marae Panui submission must be approved by Marae Chair and then emailed to Renee Renata on [email protected].

Note: Opinions expressed may not necessarily reflect the policy or views of Waikato-Tainui Te Kauhanganui inc. (including agents and subsidiary groups).


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The incredible story of their fundraising is the inspiration for an exhibition, Te Matara o Te Haerenga – Te Puea and Te Pou o Mangatawhiri at Waikato Museum. Full story on page 10...


in 1920 Te Puea Herangi left Mangatawhiri on a barge with her band of workers and headed to Ngaaruawahia to build Tuurangawaewae. With work in short supply, Te Puea created Te Pou o Mangatawhiri, a touring performance troupe to raise funds.

The incredible story of their fundraising is the inspiration for an exhibition, Te Matara o Te Haerenga – Te Puea and Te Pou o Mangatawhiri at Waikato Museum.

A leader and a visionary, Te Puea Herangi, granddaughter of King Tawhaio inspired those around her to persevere as she did, against the odds and always for the people says Waikato Museum Tangata Whenua Concept Leader, Moana Davey.

“Te Pou o Mangatawhiri walked to and from most of their venues, with no transport and no backing. They travelled a long hard road, experiencing severe hardship in the name of Tuurangawaewae and raised thousands of pounds at a time when there was very little money,” says Ms Davey.

“We can look back at this extraordinary feat with admiration at their resolve.”

Waikato Museum Director Cherie Meecham says “the exhibition was developed in collaboration with Waikato-Tainui and the Tuurangawaewae Trust Board”.

“Waikato Museum is dedicated to working with our community, telling their stories and celebrating the dynamic history of the Waikato region.

“Te Puea and Te Pou o Mangatawhiri are a vital, engaging and very lively part of our local history Waikato-Tainui and the Tuurangawaewae Trust Board have been invaluable in helping us to bring this story to life,” says Ms Meecham.

Visitors to the exhibition will hear the rhythms and voices from the 1920s; see photos and moving images of Te Pou o Mangatawhiri’s performances and experience the story of these extraordinary fundraisers and their visionary leader, Te Puea Herangi.

The exhibition marks the 60th anniversary of her passing.

Te Mata o Te Haerenga – Te Puea and Te Pou o Mangatawhiri opened at Waikato Museum, 1 Grantham street, Hamilton on 26 October 2012.

The exhibition is sponsored by Creative New Zealand, Waikato - Tainui and Trust Waikato.

Colour photos and article courtesy of Waikato Museum Black and white photo: courtsey of Tuurangawaewae Trust Board

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Full story on page 12...


in October 2012 Waikato Tainui and Mighty River Power hosted the inaugural TriMaaori Festival with over 800 participants and 2000 spectators gathered on the shores of Lake Karapiro. People came from all around the motu to celebrate whaanau, reconnect with our awa and whenua and participate in physical activities. From kaumaatua to tamariki, there was something for everyone!

The main physical activity at the Festival was the standard Olympic distance triathlon (1.5km swim, 40km bike and 10km run), however other physical activities included 2km, 5km and 10km hiikoi/oma races. spectator options included browsing through the stalls at the Poutama Business Centre and the Whaanau Hauora Village, eating nice healthy kai, listening to smooth entertainment, watching cross-fit demonstrations, attending education seminars, or joining in on a Zumba session! Tamariki were also kept busy with magic shows, bouncy castles and face painting.

Festival organisers, Ariana and Tama Potaka had both been involved in triathlon events as spectators and/or participants and believed that there was an opportunity to create a festival that focused on the entire whaanau. “We wanted to involve everyone in a festival that celebrated ‘whaanau hauora’ from our tamariki to our kaumatua.

Parekawhia McLean (CeO - Waikato Lands Trust) was a key advocate and wholeheartedly supported the kaupapa from beginning through to the end. Launching off this tribal support we were able to gain other support and financial assistance from major sponsors including Poutama Trust, Westpac, Te Waananga o Aotearoa, Trust Waikato, Waipaa District Council, and many others who we had had no or little association with prior to the Festival!

We were also fortunate to have a wonderful committee and advisors that dedicated their own time to help organise the festival and it was through this committee, our sponsors and others that we were able to run such a successful inaugural event,” says Ariana.

“We had such a vast range of participants, from our nanny and koro novices to elite athletes, but even the elite athletes, like Te Kawa Robb and Katrina Whaanga who represented NZ in the 2012 Triathlon World Championship, enjoyed themselves! They had never heard so many “Chur bro!” Or “Way to go cuzzie!” remarks during a triathlon! But the absolute highlight for me was seeing so many people coming together and supporting one another,” Ariana continues. “All day long i could see people having a great time! We’ve received so many wonderful comments about how well the Festival went and i really can’t say enough about everyone who helped to pulled it all together. We know that people’s lives have changed. TriMaaori is only one event that whaanau can work towards and we know there are other great events that keep our whānau motivated and inspired to keep training, including ironMaaori and Kura 2 Mount.”

tEStimONiaLS

“i wanted to say thank you for putting on a fantastic day….an awesome job. My body is still recovering but want to do better next time.”

Photos courtesy of TriMaaori organisers

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“Mean day yesterday…really appreciated it as it forced me to get off my butt!”

“We are working on extending ourselves for next year’s Tri Maaori event.”

“The organisations from when the website went up to the time of the event - was nothing but professional. You guys certainly made the racing bit a lot easier for the competitors with the easy - well organised event you ran.”

“Awesome venue! Beautiful surroundings, parking was well organised and easy, wharepaku were clean and available, the location and set up was perfect.”

“The general atmosphere was truly amazing.”

“Huge mihi to all organisers, helpers and volunteers. Had really positive encouragement from them on course which helped immensely.”

“Just wanted to say, and no doubt everyone else feels the same. the event was really really mean, so much sooooo a lot of friends and whaanau, are going to be taking up the challenge next year and taking part, others are taking the plunge and will be participating in all 3 events - in the Tri events.”

CHaritaBLE aCtivitY

One of the key outcomes for the Festival was to support other charities and as part of the Festival, all athletes were asked to put their timing chips in one of three buckets at the finish line being named Westpac Rescue Helicopter, Ronald McDonald House / starship, and Canteen. Once the timing chips were tallied, the following amounts were donated to each charity - $350 (Westpac Rescue Helicopter), $250 (starship), $150 (Canteen). “We consider it vital to show support for charities that are helping whaanau,” says Ariana. “Without the amazing support we received from Waikato-Tainui, Mighty River Power, Westpac, Poutama Trust, our awesome committee members and others who believed in this kaupapa, we would never have been able to organise a Festival that inspired and motivated so many people to be part of a positive movement in ‘hauora’, as well as give participants the opportunity to give back to other charitable organisations through the selection of their choice.”

2013

Tama and Ariana are beginning preparations for 2013 and 2014. The 2013 Festival will be back at Lake Karaapiro (23rd November), which Ariana believes is one of New Zealand’s premier landmarks to hold a Festival of this sort. “We’re so fortunate to have such a beautiful location for the Festival. The Waikato River is definitely the centrepiece of the location and the natural surroundings frames the awa perfectly,” she says. “Next year we aim to improve TriMaaori and will also hold a Cross-Fit competition for those who don’t like the thought of wearing lycra or a wetsuit! We hope to create the same atmosphere that we had this year. We feel that TriMaaori has a special character and intimacy and we don’t want to lose it.”


Te Ope Koiora is 1 of 24 Whaanau Ora Provider Collectives nationally to implement a Programme of Action (POA) over a 2 year period that will focus on creating transformational change on a number of levels.

The Program of Action outlines what the collective hopes to achieve over the next 2 years, now six months in Te Ope Koiora are able to announce 2 key outcomes to date, the first is the signing of a Kawenata between Te Ope Koiora and Te Arataura and the second is the implementation of the Whaanau Ora Navigation service.

SiGNED KaWENata

On Friday the 15th of February 2013 Te Arataura and the Te Ope Koiora Provider Board Chairs formally signed off on a Kawenata. The Kawenata is a strategic document that goes towards supporting the rollout of Whaanau Ora across the Waikato Rohe and it brings 8 independent providers of Health, education and social services into a unique relationship with the Tribe.

it also opens up opportunities for both parties to leverage of each other’s strengths and capabilities to ensure that services are delivered to tribal members in a way that best suites them and to ensure that the Crown are responding to the needs of Tribal members appropriately.

Both Te Ope Koiora and Te Arataura are very aware of the growing gaps that have been occurring for whaanau over the past 20 years and the increasing demand this has been put on health, education, housing and other social services and we are clear that we will need to work a lot closer together to provide appropriate solutions.

WHaaNau Ora NaviGatiON SErviCES

The role of Whaanau Ora Navigation services is to work alongside whaanau to develop Whaanau Ora Plans that:

• support whaanau to develop their Whaanau Ora Plan • To support the whaanau with the implementation of their Whaanau Ora Plan • Facilitate a range of services to meet the needs of whaanau • To assess the needs of whaanau to participate fully in whaanau ora

There are now 6 Whaanau Ora Navigators in place across the Waikato rohe, 2 in south Auckland with Kotahitanga education services and solomon Group education services, 1 with Waahi Whaanui in Huntly, 1 with Nga Miro Health in Ngaaruawaahia, 1 with Raukura social services in Hamilton and 1 with Te Hauora O Ngaati Haua

in Waharoa. You can access anyone of these Whaanau Ora Navigators by contacting the provider directly.

since their appointment we are also able to report the following:

Key Points

• 33% of whaanau are aged between 5-14yrs and 23% are Pakeke • 60% are male • 45% are of Waikato descent, 23% are from Ngapuhi and 15% are from Maniapoto • 97% have identified as Maaori • 41% live in the Te Riu Marae Cluster, 21% in Whaimanawa, 24% in Kei Te Kei and 8% in Te Puaha o Waikato • Most whanau have had access to an

education Provider (30%), Health Organisation (mainstream), Health Organisation (Maaori provider), Housing and Marae

WHaaNau Ora OutCOmES aCHEivED:

• Children that are in a domestic violence situation are now in safe and stable environment and are enrolled in new school • Many whanau now have access to new housing arrangements - for disabled/elderly couple – they have been removed from a sub-standard living environment; • Whaanau connected with a mortgage broker and are in the first step towards purchasing thier own home • Whaanau identified a need for counselling/therapy and have engaged willingly in those services • Whaanau successfully relocated with support from Housing NZ and WiNZ • All school age tamariki enrolled and attending school • Pre-schoolers now enrolled in eCe on account of WO plan • Rangatahi enrolled in LsV training; • All whaanau committed to attend marae gatherings as often as possible • All participating tamariki are fully immunised • New housing for 5 whaanau to address overcrowding and or poor housing; • Whaanau utilising community services for parenting programmes (Plunket) and other programmes such as HeeT • One whaanau discharged from CYF status on account progress and identifed wrap around support now available.

Clearly we are very happy with the outcomes acheived so far and we certainly look forward to rolling out the rest of our Whaanau Ora Programme of Action over the next 18 months.

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in this issue of Te Hookioi, we share with you our MBA study tour to Canada and welcome the recruitment of ten interns over the summer break.

see full story on page 16...


mBa StuDY tOur tO CaNaDa

To strengthen international ties, the College took a delegation of 23 participants to Canada in October, as part of its international MBA study tour. The nine-day tour was a joint collaboration between the Waikato-Tainui College for Research and Development, the university of Waikato & Ch’nook of the sauder school of Business at the university of British Columbia, Vancouver.

The tour provided opportunities for participants to reflect on their learning in the MBA through the experiences of First Nation tribes engaged in business. During the nine day tour, the delegation attended classes, listening to guest speakers heavily involved in indigenous business, enjoyed a mix and mingle sponsored evening hosted by MNP – a leading accounting firm in Canada – which was also attended by sophie Pierre, British Columbia Treaty Commission Chair, students from the Aboriginal executive MBA from simon Fraser university, members of the NZ Trade and enterprise Vancouver office and Kea Vancouver. The delegation also went on field trips to tribal owned businesses of the Osoyoos, sts’ailes and squamish First Nation tribes.

For Ch’nook, who organised most aspects of the tour to Canada, the tour was a resounding success as “it has facilitated on-going learning exchange opportunities between indigenous business groups ” says Dr. Rick Colbourne, Assistant Dean of indigenous Business education at the sauder school of Business and Director of Ch’nook.

“The study tour will lead to greater cooperation between the two institutions as we are now discussing having Ch’nook scholars being hosted by the Waikato-Tainui College and the indigenous community in New Zealand” he added.

“One of the roles of the College as stated in Whakatupuranga 2050 was to build strategic relationships that will positively contribute to tribal development” said the College’s Academic Director, Dr. sarah-Jane Tiakiwai. “While the focus of the tour was indigenous business, we

also experienced how indigenous business is grappling with business that also enables and enhances social and cultural wellbeing. These are real issues for us and so having international learning exchanges means that we can learn from these experiences.”

tHE COLLEGE GrOWiNG LEaDErS

Ten Waikato-Tainui graduates and postgraduate students started a ten week internship programme with Waikato-Tainui College for Research and Development.

The ten interns, all of whom affiliate to Waikato-Tainui, are spending their summers working on a range of projects including a review of the MBA programme, cultural connection and wellbeing, Whaanau Ora, documenting River research and a profile of the tribe’s engagement with tertiary education.

The programme was established to give Waikato-Tainui graduates and post-graduate students an opportunity to test their skills and to increase their work experience. The internship is part of the enduring vision of sir Robert Mahuta to produce a stream of future leaders. Academic Director, Dr sarah-Jane Tiakiwai, says “the internship programme gives interns the opportunity to apply some of their learning in their chosen field or in an area of interest. By providing these opportunities for our students, we hope to give them a taste of what it is to work for the tribe and a view of how they might participate in its future development.”

The intern programme started on Monday 10 December and concluded on Friday 1 March. interns are expected to complete a defined work programme that contributes to one of the Colleges academic or research programmes.

Most of the students are from the university of Waikato, with the others from Massey, AuT and Otago.

Photo: MBA tour delegates with Chief Clarence Louie and tribal members of the Osoyoos indian Band

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College interns: Back row: sada Charlie, Anaru Turner, Ayla Jenkins. Front row: Whitney Hippolite, Tiana Tiakiwai, Thea King and Rimutere Wharakura.

iNtErN maraE FiELD

sada Charlie Taupiri Management studies Whitney Hippolite Horahora Policy, Political science Ayla Jenkins Rukumoana Psychology Thea King Te Kooraha Psychology Te Wairere Ngaia Puurekireki Communication studies Karaitiana Ripaki-Tamatea Maungatautari Health and science Renee smith Mootakotako Psychology Tiana Tiakiwai Rukumoana Te Reo and Tikanga Maaori Anaru Turner Turangawaewae History and Geography Rimutere Wharakura Turangawaewae Arts, Consumer and Applied sciences

2012 has been a busy year for the College where it has taken on board two MBA cohorts, continued with the Masters of Maatauranga Maaori, hosted the international project team for Te Mana o te Whaanau and strengthened our working relationships and research partnerships with Raukura Hauora o Tainui, Waahi Whaanui Trust, Te Toi Tupu, Te Waananga o Raukawa and the universities of Arizona, Adelaide, Toronto, Otago and Waikato.

“By providing opportunities to connect the interns with the College’s growing local, national and international work programme, we hope to contribute to growing stronger leaders and inspire new leadership amongst our people” said Dr. Tiakiwai.

John Heremia, Chair of the Waikato endowed Colleges Trust, voices strong encouragement and support for the interns, saying that “there is strong talent amongst the intern group and we look forward to hearing about their achievements in the future”.

College intern: Renee smith College intern: Te Wairere Ngaia College intern: Karaitiana Ripaki-Tamatea


in December 2012, Waikato Tainui sports Coordinator, Heremaia samson made contact with Raungaiti Marae Komiti to ask if we could host the Waikato Chiefs for a night in January 2013. As part of their pre-season training The Waikato Chiefs are doing a two day training programme consisting of running, biking kayaking etc. across the Waikato region, starting from Waihi Beach and head to Kawhia.

When we were advised of this opportunity we were all honoured to have the Chiefs stay at our marae. The rest you could say is history, they came, we saw them, we feed them, they stayed and we fed them again, before they left for Kawhia.

it was truly an honour and privilege to host Dave Rennie, Craig Clarke and the Chiefs. Our marae got a makeover second to none, all in preparation of hosting 32 players and 15 coaching/management staff. .

The working bee teams started a week before our guests arrived. The mood amongst the Whanau at these working bees, where, of excitement, focussed toward a positive event and really one of smug proudness to know that “The Chiefs are coming to stay at our marae”.

On the 17th January 2013 Dave Rennie and the Waikato Chiefs arrived at Raungaiti Marae. They were welcomed by our Ngaati Hauaa and Ngaati Te Oro Kaumatua. We were fortunate to have four other Ngaati Haaua Marae with us at this time, namely from Tauwhare Marae, uncle Rewi Rapana and Waimakariri Marae Andy Raupita who sat with us at the Powhiri. While our Ngaati Werewere Whanau, led by Rev. Hake Wirihana brought the Chiefs on. Ora Kihi was with the Chiefs as support for them.

The whanau got to have heaps of hariru, heaps of kihi, heaps of photos and rubbed shoulders with the best super 15 Team in 2012 The Chiefs, it was our time to have our Whakawhanautanga, (he kaupapa tuarua) with The Chiefs. The Chiefs player’s and management, although physically exhausted from their day of training, were fully obliging and paid to us every courtesy in doing whatever our kids or whanau wanted of them.

We fed The Chiefs a hangi, a hakari with all the trimmings, to honour their visit and man were they hungry. Richard Kahui (Centre and All Black) said that all they got for kai that day was a bun, so they really appreciated what we had done for them. i don’t think the iTM Waikato team has been here before, i know i haven’t, actually i think we are the first super 15 team to sleep on a Marae, man this is amazing.

Robbie Robbinson (utility back) said “it was one of the best hangi he has ever had in his life”

Brendon Leonard said he was “broken” from the days training and he couldn’t wait to have a kai and then rest his body, i know it won’t take much for me to go to sleep, i’m broken…..

The memories from their visit will stay with us, Ngaati Hauaa for a lifetime, and i am sure if you talk to the whanau that were there that day, you would get that feeling, as well.

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A huge thanks to the whanau from our Marae, your contributions and koha helped make the occasion a really special, Ngaa mihi nui ki a koutou katoa ngaa whanau whanui o Raungaiti Marae, Ngaati Hauaa.

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WHitEBait maPPiNG since mid-2012, the WRRT have been working with the Regional Council to progress a mapping exercise at Te Puuaha (the Waikato River delta) to map and photograph all structures along that part of the River. These structures are often associated with whitebait season – e.g. benches and baches, as well as stands. The teams started the mapping exercise on the River in December last year, and will be completing the mapping at the end of February. Members of our fisheries kaitiaki roopu and Huakina Development Trust have been involved in the project to assist us in identifying traditional fishing areas, traditional structures, whitebait spawning areas, and also waahi tapuu.

The outcome of this project is to build a final map showing all of the points mapped, and to use these in discussions with the relevant management agencies and local communities as we work towards improving the status of the whitebait fishery and our traditional interests and practices associated with it. information about spawning habitat will also be used to inform restoration of inanga habitat under a newly funded Waikato River Authority project – Whitebait Habitat Restoration (see below).

WHitEBait HaBitat rEStOratiONin 2012, the Waikato River Authority (WRA) funded a joint bid from WRRT and NiWA for a 5-year whitebait habitat restoration project. The project looks to identify areas in our Awa where improvements can be made to the habitat and/or movement of our native ‘trout,’ the Galaxiid fish. These fish are the group of fish that make up our whitebait harvest every year and include at least five species of Galaxiid – the koaro, inanga, giant kokopu, short-jaw kokopu and banded kokopu. in this instance, habitat restoration if not only about returning the wetland habitat that our inanga like to lay their eggs and live in, but also about trying to remove the barriers that prevent the other fish – the three kokopu species and koaro - from being able to move into the tributaries and lakes of the River.

As part of the project, there will a number of hui conducted over the five years with tribal members to give feedback on the research. Our fisheries kaitiaki and Honorary Fisheries Officers will also undergo training

in a number of areas related to the restoration of these important habitats, and in environmental monitoring. These training programmes are pilot programmes, which will assist us to build training packages that can then be shared with the wider tribe, and our Regional communities via the Waikato River Authority.

if you are interested in the whitebait research programme then we would like to hear from you! We’d like to build a communication database of tribal members from right across the rohe, from Taamaki, to Mookau, from the West coast to the east, who we can invite to hui about the research and to share our collective learnings. Please email Cheri van schravendijk-Goodman: [email protected], or phone: 07 858 0400 for more information and to register your interest.

rivEr iSLaND rEStOratiONsince 2010, the WRRT have been part of a wider wetland restoration research programme led by Dr Bev Clarkson at Landcare Research and focused on the wetlands of the lower Waikato, Canterbury, and southland areas of Aotearoa/New Zealand. This has led to a successful intake of two tribal members to the 2012 WRRT-Landcare Research-WiNTeC wetland scholarship programme – Joshua Ormsby (Puurekireki Marae), and Jonathan Brown (Maurea Marae). This year, our third scholarship student, Rimutere Wharakura (Tuurangawaewae) will begin her qualification in the Diploma of Technology (science), and begin work experience with the Department of Conservation (DOC) in Whangamarino focusing on animal pest control (mainly stoats and feral cats). As part of the research, a number of new and exciting tribal initiatives have arisen: (1) a pilot training programme for tribal members in restoration; and (2) a new restoration project on one of the River islands returned to the tribe within Te Takapuu o Waikato.

PiLOt traiNiNG PrOGrammE iN rEStOratiONThe training programme started in February, and was an opportunity for 30 tribal members; including rangatahi and staff/community members from four schools – Te Kauwhata, Rakaumanga, Nga Taiatea and Tuakau. The programme is being run to test its potential as a NZQA-course in the future and is split into three waananga to be run over the next three months. These focus on:

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(a) Native plant identification and understanding the structure and function of a healthy native ecosystem;

(b) Pest plant identification and techniques for their control, both chemical and non-chemical;

(c) Learning how to use scientific monitoring and surveying tools to monitor the health and well-being of restoration projects; and, finally;

(d) Completing the programme by putting into practice skills learnt by undertaking a vegetative survey on the western Maurea island – one of two in the stretch of the Awa known as “Te Takapuu o Waikato”.

Waananga 1 was a huge success, although there were some tired brains! A big mihi to our trainees for the fantastic wairua, whakaaro and eagerness to expand your kete Maatauranga. Thank you to our kaumatua - Fred Graham and George Katipa, and guest speakers - Donna Kerridge and Rob McGowan - for sharing their koorero. And finally, thanks to our amazing hospo/catering team – Aunty Maryann, Aunty Amu and their crews, and to Dan Goodman for pulling off a mean BBQ.

rivEr iSLaND rEStOratiON – maurEa iSLaNDS, tE taKaPuu O WaiKatO When our training is complete on the western Maurea River island, the next step is to begin a major restoration project to test zero, or low-chemical pest plant control techniques for restoration. Due to a successful application to the Waikato River Authority in 2012, the WRRT, alongside a project team including Maurea Marae, NiWA and Landcare Research, will be undertaking techniques using native plants as competition against key pest plants

like yellow flag iris, reed sweet grass, alders and others. The native plants that we will use to test the theory of plant competition will be harakeke, and purua grass (a wetland plant). We will also experiment with the addition of kahikatea seed balls to release on the island and build up the native seedbank.

This project has also gained some traction with our other agency partners, and as a result, the Waikato Regional Council’s pest plant team has also undertaken chemical control on the eastern island which will provide us with a comparison for our non-chemical methods of restoration. The entire project is for two years, and we are hoping to involve the wider tribe, schools and Regional community within planting days so that we can work towards revegetating both of the islands. This in turn, will reduce the on-going impacts of yellow iris along our Awa, and work to restore River stem habitat for our native birds, insects, fish and shellfish.

Members of Maurea Marae will be involved in the upkeep and care of the island, and monitoring of the projects on a daily basis for at least the next two years. Please respect our kaitiaki, Jonathan Brown (Maurea Marae), if moving around that part of the River and be sure to give him a friendly wave and smile!

HaraKEKE DONatiONS PLEaSE!!!!We are seeking assistance in getting harakeke fans (parts that can be replanted) to take onto the islands for their restoration. We are looking for a selection of harakeke varieties, especially those varieties that can handle flood events in the River, and so can be planted as the korowai around the outer edge of the two islands. if you, and/or your whaanau have healthy harakeke fans that you would like to donate to the island restoration project, then please contact Cheri van schravendijk-Goodman: [email protected] or phone: 07 858 0400.

aND WE NEED YOu! if you are keen to register your interest for future planting days and information days on the island, we would like to hear from you! Please contact Cheri anoo at the above email and give your name, and contact details so that we can add you to our restoration mail list. First planting days will kick off around November 2013….


st stephens school old boys’ are issuing a rallying cry to all former students to attend a national hui in April.

With a feasibility study on the reopening due for completion in November this year, st stephens old boy Mr Harawira is calling on the school's greatest resource; it’s alumni.

"As old boys we need to provide a unified position in relation to the feasibility working group. We need to feed into them so they understand our thinking."

Talk of the once proud boarding school reopening could be the proverbial Phoenix of Maori education.

established in 1844, st stephens sits empty since its closure in 2000.

Mr Harawira is part of a small band that has kept the school’s reopening "in the consciousness of the Anglican Church and school's trust board since 2003".

With a date set for 6 April at Tatai Hono Marae in Auckland, Mr Harawira says electing a national committee "will formalise and strengthen the cause for reopening the school".

“The old boys' are the backbone of our school and we need to consolidate under one umbrella. There's many ways that a national association can support both the trust board and a school in the future.”

For more information contact Adrian evans 027 522 7227 or email [email protected]

©Te

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i soc

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2013

. (Te

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Photo: St Stephens School, auckland. Photo Supplied.

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(all dates are correct at time of printing - dates may change)

HaaNuErE01 Horahora19 Kokohiinau

PEEPuErE02 Taniwha 06 Waitangi09 Hukanui23 Maurea

maEHE02 Poutuu09 Paaraawera10 Oowairaka11 Raakaunui12 Waipapa13 Maketuu14 Ookapu

maEHE16 Regatta 18 Tuurangawaewae30 Marokopa31 Te Tokanga nui a noho

aPErira06 Huria10 Te Papa o Rotu21 Ngaa Tai e Rua25 Tainuiaawhiro

mEi23 Ngaati Pikiao

HuNE16 Poohara

aKuHata21 Koroneihana31 Whaataapaka

HEPEtEma15 Tauranganui

OKEtOPa08 Waahi Paa12 Mangatangi

NOEma02 Ngaatira24 Te Awamaarahi

tiiHEma07 Waikare15 Reretewhioi

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Te Hookioi Issue 43