Whāriki Te Tai Tokerau: Weaving Bonds of Whanaungatanga to Foster Business Success
with a community-centred social enterprise based in the Hokianga Their goal is intergenerational food security in Aotearoa
You are warmly invited to the official opening of Nukurei Nursery propagation hub, supplying fruit trees, regenerative companion plants, and of our economy will be shaped by those closest to the whenua, the whānau, and the kaupapa
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“The Bes
Northlander
George Dods share how a free bowe screening kit led to early cancer detection and second chance.
When a green envelope arrived in post not long after his 60th birt
Mr Dods didn’t think much of it many, he’d seen the bowel screening ad TV, but the idea of actually doing the tes was a different story
“I put it on my desk, then it got buried u paper found it, buried it again that happened a few times,” he laughs “I did avoid it on purpose, but life gets busy It a few months before I actually sat down did it ”
What changed? “Honestly,” he says, “I re how easy it was You do it at home, in p No one needs to know The most public posting it back ”
Mr Dods didn’t have any symptoms No history. No pressing reason to act. But t kit showed up, and thankfully, he follow through. The result: a positive test and a call from the medical team
“That moment triggered everything,” he “Suddenly I was booked for a colonosco I remember thinking, What even is a colonoscopy?’ I had no idea what I was in for but it turned out to be a lot less scary than I imagined ”
supported every step of the way
During the procedure, Mr Dods found himself watching the screen alongside the doctor “I laughed out loud The doctor asked what was funny, and I told him, ‘Doc, that’s a part of me I never thought I’d see!’”
The colonoscopy confirmed that there was something suspicious in his colon – and that it needed to be removed
For Mr Dods, the choice was clear
“I said, ‘I’m only 60 There’s more I want to do ’ So I committed fully Changed my diet, did all the prep, and showed up for surgery on the 27th of March ready to go ”
Fortunately, the surgery went smoothly
The cancer hadn’t spread Radiation wasn’t needed And his care team made sure he was
“There was always a plan That made a huge difference,” he says “I never felt left hanging ”
Ten days later, he got the news: the operation was a complete success “They got it all I was over the moon I told the doctor to thank the whole team everyone I dealt with was outstanding ”
Now, hes sharing his story to encourage others to do the test especially those who’ve put the envelope to one side
“Im not shy about it Its part of life We need to talk about it more If it wasn’t for that screening test arriving in the mail, I wouldn’t have known anything was wrong I had no symptoms Id never have gone to the doctor ”
He pauses, then smiles
“It really was the best birthday present I’ve had in a long time Yeah, I had to do a bit of work to get the benefit but it was worth it ”
For Mr Dods, the message is simple: “None of us need to die of bowel cancer Caught early, its treatable And this programme gives us that chance So do the test Don’t put it off ”
A Personal Mission: Kylah’s Mahi to Protect Whānau
For Northland health promoter Kylah Pere, the National Bowel Screening Programme is more than just a job it’s deeply personal
“I lost my aunty to bowel cancer at a young age She had no symptoms, no warning That’s why I do this mahi to help make sure others don’t miss the chance she never had ”
Kylah works at the heart of the programme in Te Tai Tokerau, encouraging people to take
the free test that could save their life She sees firsthand how early detection through screening gives whānau more time and more options
“It’s a simple test you do at home, in private It doesn’t cost anything, but the value it brings is immeasurable ”
Her message is especially important for Māori, who are more likely to be diagnosed later and face worse outcomes “This programme is a taonga for our people,” she says “Bowel cancer can hide without symptoms Screening helps us catch it early ”
Kylah hopes her work inspires others to look after themselves and each other “When you do the test, you’re not just protecting yourself You’re protecting your whakapapa Your tamariki, your mokopuna, your whānau ”
If you’re aged 60 to 74, you might have received your free bowel screening kit in the mail Do the test now, it’s quick, it’s easy and it could save your life. Have you done your bowel screening test?
Make sure to check the expiry date of your test and if you need a replacement kit or help Visit timetobowelscreen.nz Free phone 0800 924 432 or talk to your doctor
Kua Whetūrangitia a Koro BOOK OF THE MONTH
BRIANNE TE PAA
Ayoung boy learns about the customs around celebrating Matariki from his grandfather They watch the stars from the top of a mountain, prepare their offering of food for the gods, and the boy learns about Te Waka o Rangi and the tradition of calling out the names of loved ones who have passed away so that they can become stars Just before Matariki the following year, the boys Koro suddenly dies
He gathers and prepares the food offering and asks each family member to come with him up the mountain when Matariki is due to rise, but they all make excuses, and he is disheartened But when he tells them what Koro taught him, they all climb the mountain before sunrise, follow the rituals Koro carried out and call out Koro’s name so that he can become a star
WINNER, Wright Family Foundation Te Kura Pounamu Award 2023
WINNER, Storylines Te Kahurangi
Kāterina Te Heikōkō Mataira Award 2022 Storylines Notable Book List, 2022
To enter, simply send us your name and postal address with “KORO” in the subject line, and let us know which language version you’d prefer to regionalcompetitions@nzme.co.nz
Entries close 12pm, Wednesday July 2, 2025
Winners prizes will be posted out
THE AUTHOR
rianne Te aa is an ssistant rincipal t Kaipara ollege he has a achelor of ducation nd a
Diploma in Te Pinakitanga ki Te Reo Kairangi She is connected to the people of Ngāti Kahu, Ngā Puhi, Te Rarawa, Ngāti Whātua, Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Te Aitanga-a-Māhaki and Te Whānau-a-Apanui Brianne is passionate about learning and working with young people, and she has always enjoyed writing poetry and short stories
Economic Mana Motuhake – Reclaiming
Self-Determination
Through Enterprise
By Manu Burkhardt Macrae, General Manager and Managing Director of The FNR Group.
FNR is a vertically integrated and diverse group of construction companies based in Kaitaia and Kaikohe FNR Employs more than 180 staff across our operations, this covers Civil, Commercial & Residential Construction, Engineering Consulting, Quarrying and Concrete Production FNR is proud to be a trusted supplier to many Te Tai Tokerau Iwi, Northland Regional Council Far North District Council, Ministry of Education, Kainga Ora, Waka Kotahi and Te Papa Atawhai among others
Our size, capability and diversity now affords our business with a growing sense of Mana Motuhake, or the ability to control our own destiny, this has been especially important for us in these uncertain economic times
In Aotearoa, the call for mana Motuhake has echoed across generations While often framed
in political or cultural terms, an equally vital front is economic mana motuhake: the power of Māori communities to shape their own financial futures, build sustainable wealth, and uplift whānau, hapū, and iwi from within
Around 70% of FNR’s staff are Māori, one of our core values is to build the capability of our staff, this in turn builds the mana of their whānau and hāpori FNR currently have 29 staff in various apprenticeships, 7 staff in cadetships, and numerous others in further education
Today, the Māori entrepreneurial spirit is clearly visible in Iwi and Māori-owned Pākihi, Ahu Whenua trusts and social enterprises, all of which are thriving The recent Te Ōhanga Māori 2023 report underscores this momentum, showing that the Māori economys contribution to New Zealand’s GDP has grown from $17 billion in 2018 to $32 billion in 2023, now
comprising 8 9% of the national GDP The Māori asset base has also seen dramatic growth, increasing from $69 billion to $126 billion over the same period
Government policy has a crucial role in supporting the continuation of this growth However, we now see that this can’t always be relied on. Therefore economic Mana Motuhake ultimately depends on our own initiative and collaboration. This means strengthening partnerships between iwi, strengthening Māori business networks, and creating investment funds that prioritise not just financial, but also cultural, social and environmental outcomes.
In a time of global uncertainty and local inequity, Māori economic development offers a pathway for a more inclusive and resilient Aotearoa One where the economy serves people and the tāiao - not the other way around
To achieve true Mana Motuhake, we must continue to back Māori-led innovation, invest in ourselves, celebrate our success, while we also support and uplift others on the same path
Many of FNR’s key client’s are Iwi businesses, and as they support us we also support numerous other Māori Pākihi to grow their own businesses We achieve this both by employing those Pākihi and giving them practical support in areas such as health & safety and operations FNR are also active members of the Whariki and Amotai business networks
Economic Mana Motuhake for Māori is a national opportunity. When Māori thrive, all of Aotearoa thrives
• Audit, Investigation & Forensic Research
• Office of the Auditor General Approved School Auditor
• Small to Medium Size Direct Business Support and Tax Services
• Advisor to Maori Land Court
• Maori Business Advisory & Mentoring
Scholarships awarded to six Northland tertiary students
Six Northland students have been named as the 2025 recipients of Northland Regional Council’s annual Tū i te ora Scholarship.
The recipients are Aakash Chatterji (Te Uriroroi, Te Parawhau, Te Mahurehure ki Whatitiri, Ngāpuhi), Nehana Griffiths (Ngāti Wai, Ngāti Rehua, Te Rarawa, Te Waiariki, Ngāti Korora, Ngāpuhi), Riana Lane, Issac Morrow, Raine Ross (Ngāti Te Tarawa, Ngāti Hine), and William Trubshaw, who were selected from a pool of 26 applicants
Each recipient receives $4000 and paid work experience at council from mid-November 2025 to mid-February 2026 They will join council’s Biosecurity Partnerships, Climate Action and Natural Hazards, Hydrology, Māori Relationships, and Water Quality teams
This is the sixth year council has awarded the scholarship, which recognises, encourages, and supports students to undertake study that relates to council’s environmental and regulatory functions
It also aims to build Māori capacity within Te Taitokerau and encourage Mātauranga Māori research and education, with half of
the scholarships earmarked for Māori who whakapapa to Te Taitokerau
The scholarship provides value for both recipients and council; recipients gain hands-on experience and can apply the knowledge they have learned during their studies, while council receive extra support during the busy summer period
It also enables council to tap into talent early and create a pipeline for future employees, with several former scholarship recipients now employed at council
To find out more about the Tū i te ora Scholarship, visit www nrc govt nz/scholarship
20256TūiteoraScholarshiprecipients Therecipients–AakashChatterji(topleft), NehanaGriffiths,RianaLane,IsaacMorrow, RaineRoss,andWilliamTrubshaw.
The People behind KMR
Meryl Carter and Sarah Rewi / Whatitiri Resource Management
The Whatitiri Resource Management Unit is looking forward to an enduring and reciprocal relationship with Kaipara Moana Remediation (KMR).
Having already partnered with KMR to repair and stock proof 755m of fencing, the focus is now moving to the possible next steps which could involve riparian weed control and the planting of appropriate native species at the Waipao Springs - also known as Porotī Springs
Whatitiri Resource Management spokeswomen Meryl Carter and Sarah Rewi are helping front foot the drive for environmental restoration Whatitiri Resource Management spokeswomen Meryl Carter and Sarah Rewi are helping front foot the drive for environmental restoration
“Our hapū have been driving the restoration for over 20 years We are so grateful to follow in the footsteps of so many kaitiaki,” they say “These waters are a sacred taonga to our hapū, sustaining us spiritually, culturally, and physically for generations Mana whenua have long been kaitiaki of the Porotī springs and hold it in very high significance as a sacred and culturally important place
“Our connection to Waipao is deep and enduring Flowing from the womb of Whatitiri maunga, these waters are our life force (mauri), historically used for drinking, healing, and providing kai like watercress and kēwai “This spiritual and ecological relationship
is documented through oral history and research, so restoring Kaipara Moana cannot succeed without healing these sacred spring heads as Waipao is a major input to the Wairua and Wairoa Rivers, which ultimately feed the harbour ”
Sarah is currently studying a PhD at Waipapa Taumata Rau, The University of Auckland, and she is using the Waipao Springs as a key part of the PHD
“The project is centred around the aspirations of our people and revitalising the mauri of our ancestral waters My training is as a terrestrial ecologist and Kaupapa Māori scientist and with these skills I am focusing on groundwater dependant ecosystems and how they can improve the quality of our waters,” says Sarah
“Scientific and mātauranga Māori knowledge align in showing that restoring native vegetation along waterways significantly improves water quality Invasive weeds often dominate riparian zones, outcompeting native species and failing to stabilise banks or filter runoff effectively Their presence allows sediment and nutrients especially nitrogen and phosphorus from farming activity to enter waterways unchecked, contributing to algal blooms, low oxygen, and habitat loss ”
SarahRewiofWhatitiriResourceManagementishelpingleadeffortstorestorethemauriofWaipao Springs(PorotīSprings),asiteofdeepspiritualandecologicalsignificancetoherhapū.
Sarah says native riparian species like tī kōuka, upokotangata, and wīwī play a vital role in filtering contaminants, shading streams to reduce temperature, and providing habitat for native aquatic species
“Studies across Aotearoa show that where these plants are well-established, they act as natural buffers, reduce E coli levels, and increase biodiversity However, these benefits are only realised when initial weed removal is done thoroughly otherwise, new plantings are quickly overwhelmed ”
KMR’s Griffin Hope says KMR’s Whenua Whānui Fund supports groups to protect waterways like the Porotī springs
“The projects we fund include fencing off waterways to protect them from stock, weed removal and management, and native planting with appropriate riparian and culturally important species We are excited about the opportunity to support Whatitiri Resource Management to achieve their aspirations,” says Griffin.
ENDLESS MUSIC. ALWAYS
KMR supports groups to protect and restore the Kaipara Moana
Kaipara Moana Remediation’s Whenua Whānui Fund supports groups to participate in projects that protect the Kaipara Moana
Our projects support people, places, and nature KMR invests in projects to restore wetlands, fence off rivers and streams, plant trees and regenerate forest on erosion-prone land
Our projects:
• Help valued species to thrive
• Restore mahinga kai
• Diversify on-farm income
• Help meet environmental standards
• Increase resilience to storms and extreme weather
The Whenua Whānui Fund is open to all groups including iwi/hapū, marae, landcare groups, catchment groups, kaitiaki, schools and trusts administering land with multple ownership.
The Whenua Whānui Fund offers:
• A Site Visit - a KMR Field Advisor walks the whenua with you to understand your aspirations and sediment reduction options and priorities
• Project Funding – KMR can fund up to 70% of the estimated project works including fencing, site preparation, planting and plant release costs.
• A Sediment Reduction Plan – your Field Advisor prepares a Plan to unlock KMR funding Once a contract is signed, the mahi can begin and a first instalment invoiced and paid
• Community engagement and project management – KMR can assist with some of the costs of running your project
Advice & Support – your Field Advisor can assist you through the project to help the mahi stay on track.
If you are thinking about planting near waterways or on erodible hillsides this winter, get in touch with KMR as soon as possible.
1 (verb) (-hia,-tia) to peck (as a bird), to nibble 2 te kūkupa news headlines from te tai tokerau
An
Ngātiwaitowelcome HinemoanaIIatMatapōurifor kaupapamoana
Ngātiwai are preparing to welcome waka hourua Hinemoana II to Matapōuri tomorrow afternoon, marking a powerful milestone in iwi-led moana advocacy Spanning 14 8 metres, the double-hulled canoe was built in 2017 and will now tautoko Ngātiwai kaitiakitanga, especially efforts to protect tohorā Ngātiwai says the arrival of Hinemoana II is grounded in its mana-to-mana relationships with Te Whānau a Apanui and the Tongan Voyaging Society Master navigator, Aunofo Funaki, is leading a crew of rangatahi and mana wāhine from Tauranga including Ana Ngamoki and Joelene Busby
Concernsraisedascontract forcoronialservicesinTeTai Tokerauduetoexpire
Concerns are mounting across Te Tai Tokerau over plans not to renew the Whangārei Hospital coronial post-mortem contract, which is set to expire in August 2025 In a formal letter to Te Whatu Ora's Interim Chief Executive, the Kaipara Hapū Advisory Committee has warned that transferring services to Auckland would significantly impact and disrupt the grieving process for whānau Chair Lye Sydney says while Māori make up nearly 40% of the region's population, the closure could impose hardship on whānau needing to travel over 300km to remain with their tūpāpaku Hapū leaders are demanding an urgent consultation hui and an immediate pause on any decision to end the post-mortem services
World boxing champion, Lani Daniels (Ngāti Hine, Ngātiwai) displayed the quiet confidence of 'The Smiling Assassin' as she faced off with American heavyweight, Claressa Shields at a press conference in the US this week The event was a build-up for their upcoming bout on Saturday 26 July at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit to contest Lani s undisputed women s light heavyweight world title Meanwhile, supporters from Lani's hometown of Pipiwai are gearing up to film her official walk-out video tomorrow at Tau Henare marae, ahead of the world-title clash
Plantingmarksprogressin NgātiHinenativerestoration project
Local Ngāti Hine whānau, kura and tamariki gathered with Ngāti Hine Forestry Trust at Te Pae Tata Pāmu in Maromaku for its Ra Whakato Rakautree planting day Native trees, grown in the Forestry Trust’s nursery were planted along the Ramarama Stream as part of a pilot project to support native forest regeneration He Ringa Ahuwhenua, He Hanga Mahi is an initiative which aims to contribute to a broader transition strategy focused on restoring parts of the forestry block which are currently in pine CEO Heidi Mackey welcomed the tamariki to the whenua which she says serves as a reminder of the whakapapa connections and the collective efforts to support long-term environmental and cultural well-being
‘Kōrero: the Podcast’ was named Best Te Reo Māori Podcast at the NZ Radio & Podcast Awards in Tāmaki Makaurau last week The first season, hosted by Marcia Hopa, Luke Bird and Phoenix Ruka, celebrates Te Reo Māori through entertaining and thought-provoking discussions with a myriad of kaikōrero across Te Tai Tokerau Marcia Hopa looks forward to “keeping the vibes high and kōrero flowing” for Season 2, while creating a space where everyone from confident speakers to brave beginners feels encouraged to give te reo a go: “It’s about celebrating the journey, not just the destination ”
Coby Warmington (Te Mahurehure, Ngāpuhi), Farm Manager at Waima Topu Beef Ltd in Te Tai Tokerau, has been named the 2025 Ahuwhenua Young Māori Farmer Award winner in the sheep and beef category The announcement was made on Friday at the Ahuwhenua Trophy awards ceremony in Palmerston North Coby was recognised alongside finalists Grace Watson and Puhirere Tau The award, sponsored by Te Tumu Paeroa, celebrates leadership and excellence in Māori agriculture A pōwhiri will start the celebrations being planned at Otatara Marae in Waima for Thursday afternoon
Four students have been selected to represent Te Tai Tokerau at the National Ngā Manu Kōrero speech competition to be held in Whānganui later this year Last week, Kaitaia College hosted the three-day Te Tai Tokerau Regional Manu Kōrero Speech Competition at Te Ahu Centre in Kaitaia The event, featuring prepared and impromptu speeches from secondary students across the region has been running nationally since 1965 to promote excellence in spoken language Four regional winners were selected to represent Te Tai Tokerau at the national finals They are: Sir Turi Kara (Junior English): Pou Ariki Hemara-Daniels Korimako (Senior English): Fahren Capri May Rapana Rāwhiti Ihaka (Junior Māori): Taiahoaho Smith Pei Te Hurinui Jones (Senior Māori): Mihi Te Rauhi Daniels
Warrant of Fitness’ health checks for tāne was a focussed initiative at the Matariki celebrations held last week at Te PuaWaitanga Hou Marae in Otangarei Te Hau Āwhiowhio ō Otangarei organised the community hauora event which included performances by Te Kura ō Otangarei kapa haka, kaitahi from local providers and hauora checks for tamariki to pakeke The Warrant of Fitness checks were a hit, with an incentivising Kingfisher fishing charter for four also up for grabs One local encouraged more tāne to get checked “because your whānau depend on you” describing his free WOF process as ‘easy as’ TeHauĀwhiowhioōOtangarei
A new rangatahi-led environmental fund will be launched next Monday to support kaupapa across Northern Kaipara Te Māhuri o Te Taiao (TMOTT) is a participatory grant-making initiative led by a panel of six rangatahi from across Te Tai Tokerau selected by iwi and hapū leaders from Te Roroa, Ngāti Whātua, and Te Uri o Hau The fund will back projects that protect and restore the environment including awa restoration, kai sovereignty, and kaupapa grounded in mātauranga Māori and kaitiakitanga TMOTT supports the Northern Kaipara district covering areas from Waipoua to Tangiteroria, Oruawharo, and the East Coast The initiative is backed by Foundation North and the Clare Foundation, with additional support from the SKYCity Community Trust Applications are open from 23 June 2025