Edition
Huaki
“To bring to Light”
Whānau Building Whānau in Business -
Four Thriving Pakihi in Kensington, Whangārei
Ask Kylie and Kelly where their businesses began and they’ll point to their nanas From Pipiwai to the Cook Islands and Niue, their whakapapa anchors Lil Nana’s –the seed that grew three pakihi: Kensington Barbers, Moko Rua Studio, and Pearled Up Teeth Whitening All are proudly Māori and Pasifika owned
Lil Nana’s carries the names and recipes of formidable kuia: Nana Leslie Hempel Dhal, the baker who fed the whānau; Nana Vaughn Chapman (née Shortland), whose Māori kai travelled through generations; Kirianu Rata (née Strickland) bringing Cook Islands flavour; and Nana Soilini of Niue Their legacy isnt just in food – it’s in values: share uplift and serve te hāpori
gain recognised skills without being forced through systems that dont fit They spoke openly about the need for Whāriki – a yearning to understand what the ecosystem looks like for pakihi Māori in Whangārei, and a belief that Whāriki can and is doing that Identifying access to supports, and recognising Whāriki’s role in enabling that has been key
Kylie and Kelly started with a simple spark – a love for kai and people – and launched in a recession Real talk: hiring and working with
The sisters run the mother ship – that is Lil Nana’s – and whānau, friends, and friends who have become whānau make up the kaimahi across the other three pakihi Setting up under Māori lore also means tikanga guides how the spaces are used – with walls dividing where moko is carried out, where hair is groomed, where teeth are whitened, and where kai is prepared Those cultural rituals are carried through every corner of the space, grounding the mahi in respect and tapu
whānau can be tough They learned to hold aroha and accountability together, grounding decisions in tikanga Premises were blessed with local mana whenua, and operations reflect Māori lore every day
Their impact goes beyond the till – creating pathways for rangatahi, offering training and
For anyone sitting on an idea a recipe a design a dream – start where you stand Build on your whakapapa, let tikanga guide the mahi, keep your community close, and when the headwinds come remember the sisters’ simple advice: GO HARD
Talia Rikihana
The Songs
APIRANA NGATA
Translated by Pei Te Hurinui Jones (Vols. 1–3) and Hirini Moko Mead (Vol. 4)
The definitive treasury of Māori waiata, preserving the essence of language, culture and soul in Aotearoa.
Over a period of forty years Sir Apirana Ngata, distinguished leader and scholar, collected and recorded hundreds of songs and chants from the iwi of Aotearoa, which became the four volumes of Ngā Mōteatea, with translations and annotations by Ngata, Pei Te Hurinui Jones (Vols 1–3) and Hirini Moko Mead (Vol 4)
This national treasure is the largest and most comprehensive collection of Māori waiata and a unique contribution to New Zealand poetry It is a rich resource for continuing research and scholarship in many fields, offers prime texts in the teaching of Māori language, literature
and tribal history and serves as inspiration for contemporary composition and performance
In 2005, these landmark editions were completely redesigned and republished in association with the Polynesian Society, preserving the integrity of Ngata and Jones’ original work while updating typography and language conventions, correcting errors, and adding macrons for modern usage These editions also includes audio CDs of selected waiata from the Archive of Māori and Pacific Music at the University of Auckland, bringing the voices of the ancestors to life
We have a copy of Ngā Mōteatea The Songs
To enter, all you need to do is send your name and contact details, with “THE SONGS” in the subject line, to regionalcompetitions@nzme co nz
Entries close 12pm, Wednesday Nov 5, 2025
Winners will have their prizes posted out after Nov 13, 2025
From Tikipunga to the Navy: Jordan Kingi’s Journey of Determination and Community Support
The age-old proverb “it takes a village to raise a child” has found new life in the inspiring journey of Jordan Kingi, a Tikipunga High School student whose dream of joining the Royal New Zealand Navy has become a reality thanks to unwavering support from whānau, educators, and a hauora Māori employment programme
In his final year at Tikipunga High, Jordan’s time in the school’s forces academy sparked a deep ambition to serve in the RNZN Recognising his potential, careers teacher Rina Hudson reached out to Tawhana Terry, Kaiwhakahaere
of Ngā Ara Tōnui – Successful Pathways Ltd
Tawhana’s Mauri Mahi, Mauri Ora programme had already helped many rangatahi transition into meaningful employment across hospitality, retail, and trades
A meeting was arranged with Jordan, his grandparents, and Tawhana to explore how the programme’s holistic approach could support Jordan’s aspirations
Jordan enrolled in the eight-week Mauri Mahi, Mauri Ora intensive programme, joining five other rangatahi The first phase focused on building self-reliance: budgeting, cooking, nutrition, mental and physical wellbeing, first aid, and driver licensing The second phase zeroed in on career development, mapping out a clear pathway for Jordan to achieve his goals including literacy training, physical fitness, and employment readiness
By the end of the programme, Jordan had earned his restricted driver’s license, passed his first aid and Site Safe Passport, and secured a night shift job at a local grocery company With momentum building, his sights were firmly set on the Navy
To prepare for RNZN entry requirements, Jordan was supported with an online training portal to sharpen his cognitive and numeracy skills For the physical component, Ebann from Victory Bodies Fitness crafted a tailored fitness plan to boost Jordan’s aerobic capacity for the beep test Jordan committed fully, ticking off each milestone with determination
Multiple hui with Jordan, his whānau, and Tawhana followed discussing trade options,
• 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
interview prep, and final medical and background checks Jordan’s interview was successful, earning him a spot on the waiting list as a Store Accountant
Then came the call: Jordan was officially accepted into Basic Common Training for the RNZN, starting 25 August 2025 “I’m grateful because they supported me, pushed me to be better, and I was able to join the Navy,” Jordan shared
His Poppa echoed the sentiment: “It’s a life changer in a positive way Jordan’s got his head screwed on right, his attitude is more positive, and we are very happy for him ”
Jordan’s story is a testament to what happens when rangatahi are uplifted by a village that believes in their potential
Closestseated(L–R), TawhanaTerry,Ebann Malae. Furthestseated (L–R),ScottRahiri Kingi(Jordans’Papa), JordanKingi,SandyKingi (Jordans’Koro) Picwas takenonsiteatTeOraHou Northland
From school halls to whānau homes, fitness gyms to career workshops every step was guided by aroha, purpose, and a shared commitment to his future And now, Jordan Kingi stands ready to serve his country, carrying with him the mana of his journey and the village that helped him rise
JordanKingi
The grounds of Te Houhanga a Rongo
Kaipara ākonga connect with mātauranga Māori and te taiao KMR: Empowering communities to restore the Kaipara Moana
Marae in Dargaville recently came alive with the energy of nearly 70 ākonga from six local schools, along with kaiako and whānau, as they gathered for the He Tirohanga Māori event
On October 14, the group of years 4-8 students from Arapohue, Dargaville Intermediate, Kaihu Valley, Otamatea High, Selwyn Park and Te Kopuru schools immersed themselves in a day of hands-on learning rooted in te ao Māori and te taiao
The programme offered three interactive rotations – Ngā taonga tākaroa (traditional Māori sports and games), Te Ao o te tuna (the world of the eel), and Te mana o te whakairo (the mana of carving) Each activity was designed to spark curiosity and deepen understanding of te taiao through a Māori lens
The day began with a pōwhiri, setting the tone for an enriching day of learning on the marae Ākonga and their kaiako engaged not only with the activities but also with marae tikanga, fostering a sense of connection and belonging Northland Regional Councils Education Manager, Susan Karels, reflected on the event’s impact
“He Tirohanga Māori is about empowering our
young people to see themselves as kaitiaki. When learning is grounded in culture and place, it becomes deeply meaningful.
“We feel honoured to support kaiako in weaving these experiences into their local curriculum planning for 2026.”
This Kaipara hui is the first of three, with 100 ākonga attending each of the Whangārei and Far North events at Waimanoni Marae and Pehiāweri Marae respectively
Te Tirohanga Māori draws on the Enviroschools kaupapa that continues to grow across Te Taitokerau, nurturing a generation of environmentally conscious and culturally grounded rangatahi
The Whenua Whānui Fund, offered by Kaipara Moana Remediation (KMR), is helping communities across the Kaipara Moana catchment take meaningful action to restore the health and mauri of the Kaipara harbour. Designed to support projects led by groups, the Fund enables iwi/ hapū, marae, community groups, landcare and catchment groups, schools and trusts to lead sediment reduction projects that protect waterways and regenerate native ecosystems.
KMR contributes up to 70% of project costs for eligible activities, including fencing to exclude stock from waterways, riparian planting, wetland protection, and retirement of steep, erosion-prone hill country The Whenua Whānui Fund also supports some project management, engagement and education costs.
To access KMR grants, groups will work with one of KMR’s local Field Advisors to develop a sediment reduction plan. Once approved, projects are contracted and funded in stages, with final payments made upon project completion and verification To date, KMR has supported 116 Whenua Whānui Fund projects across the
The Whenua Whānui Fund offers:
catchment, each one playing their part in restoring Kaipara Moana.
Project leaders see a variety of benefits in working with KMR:
“The support from KMR has made it possible to do things we’ve dreamed about for years. It’s not just funding—it’s partnership.”
Brandon Edwards, Huruiki
“Our goal is to foster the manu of Manukapua through wetland restoration and pest management. It’s about bringing life back.”
Tāpora Land and Coast Care Group
Get in touch if you or your whānau have a farm block with multiple ownership, or if your marae or catchment group is looking to protect the land and help local waterways flourish The KMR Whenua Whānui Fund offers a pathway to make a lasting impact in your community.
By working together, we can safeguard the future of Kaipara Moana come and join us!
Learn more and apply at kmr.org.nz
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.
• 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.
‘TeAooTeTuna’wasoneofthreeinteractiverotationsattheHeTirohanga MāorieventatTeHouhongaaRongoMarae.
AUNTY’S GARDEN
AuntyHanuiLawren andTR
TR’s
Chow
Mein
Ingredients:
• 2 red onions
• 1⁄2 cabbage
• 1 cauliflower
• 3 carrots
• 2 broccoli
• soya sauce
• 4 pork finger piece
• spaghetti noodles
Method:
Roast cube-sized pork and set aside when coo Cook spaghetti noodle set aside
Prepare all veges by fin slicing and tossing in a with cooking oil, and co slowly turning all the ti
Add cabbage last Add and roasted pork piece
Add soy sauce and any seasonings to your tas desire
Really nice served immediately with hot s rice and home made fried bread and butter
Rustic Potato Bake
Thischowmeinisgreatwithhome madefriedbreadandbutter
Rusticpotatobakeisa deliciousquickmeal.
Ingredients:
• 250gms mince
• two red onions
• 2 tbs soya sauce
• 2 tbs sweet fruit chutney,
• Salt and Pepper
• 2 sachets of Maggi Creamy
• Chicken soup or sauce
• 2/3 Cup of Milk
• 4 medium to large potatoes
• 2 cups of Grated Chees
Method:
• Preheat oven to 180C and prepare an medium to large oven dish
• Finely slice the onions
• Wash and chunky cut your unpeeled potatoes
• Steam cook your potatoes whole till just cooked through and set aside
• In a large pan saute the onions, mince and add soya sauce and chutney
• Season with salt and pepper and remove from heat and set aside
• In a bowl mix your sachets with milk
30 Rathbone St, Whangārei (next to Westpac) - 09 988 9414 - www naturestherapeutics co nz
Arthritis pain
Tūpākihi (also known as Coriaria arborea) is a native New Zealand shrub traditionally used by Māori for its powerful medicinal properties Its leaves and bark are commonly used in mirimiri (healing massage) to support joint, muscle, and nerve health. Tūpākihi is known for its warming, penetrating effects that help ease tension, stiffness, and pain The plant is toxic if ingested, and must be prepared with expert knowledge Tūpākihi continues to be valued in traditional healing practices, particularly in external applications such as therapeutic oils and poultices under trained supervision
Tūpākihi Mirimiri Oil is deeply therapeutic due to its powerful warming and penetrating properties It supports healthy circulation, relaxes tight muscles, eases nerve discomfort, and helps release deep-seated tension Used in mirimiri, it brings relief to stubborn aches and pains
Actions of this product -
Warming and Circulation Stimulating - Tūpākihi creates a deep internal warmth, improving blood flow to muscles and joints This warming effect helps loosen stiffness and enhances tissue oxygenation
Analgesic (pain relieving) - Applied externally, it helps reduce pain in sore muscles, joints, and nerves. Particularly effective for deep, persistent or "locked-in" pain
Anti-inflammatory - Reduces swelling and inflammation associated with injuries, arthritis, and repetitive strain. Soothes hot, puffy, or tender areas when used appropriately.
Antispasmodic and Muscle Relaxant - Relieves tight, cramping, or spasming muscles, making it useful in mirimiri for chronic tension Encourages relaxation of both superficial and deep tissue layers
Nerve Soothing - Can calm irritated on inflamed nerves (e g sciatica or neuralgia) Its penetrating nature allows it to reach nerve pathways through topical use.
Ailments that may benefit -
Arthritis (osteoarthritis & rheumatoid), muscle strains and sprains, tendonitis and bursitis, sciatic (nerve pain), back pain, neck and shoulder tension, fibromyalgia, muscle cramps, chronic pain (general, ongoing pain conditions such as chronic muscle pain or joint pain, rheumatism, poor circulation, headaches and migraines, sore feet (plantar fasciitis or heel pain), carpal tunnel syndrome, frozen shoulder.
and half of your grated cheese and set aside
• In an oven dish, place your mince, then layer with chunky potatoes
• Pour over sachet mixture and top with the rest of the grated cheese
• Bake in oven for 25 minutes or until cheese is golden
This is a delicious quick meal
Serve with a fresh green salad and a glass of ice water and a slice of lemon Enjoy!
R NSFORM O R SP CES I H E PER ISE
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Additionally,ourgraffitiremovalservicerestores theintegrityandaestheticsofyourspaces, helpingtomaintainawelcomingenvironment
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AtMcNabbDecorating,webelievetherightcolourcancompletelytransformyour home–notjusthowitlooks,buthowitfeels Fromcalmingneutralstorich,earthytones,ourteamhelpsyouchooseshadesthat reflectyourpersonalityandcreateawelcomingatmosphere Whetherit’safreshcoattobreathenewlifeintoamuch-lovedroom,afullrenovation oraboldfeaturewall,wecombineourtechnicalskillwithaneyefordesigntoensure everyprojectfeelsbothstylishandtimeless Ourservicesinclude•Interior&exteriorpainting•Specialistfinishes&featurewalls •Wallpapering&textures•Colourconsulting&designadvice•Waterproofing& protectivecoatings•Commercial,industrial&residentialprojects
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Asasmall,longstandingfamilybusiness, weunderstandtheimportanceofpersonal touchandcommunityconnection Our teamispassionateabouttransforming yourvisionintoreality withacommitment tosuperiorserviceandresultsthatspeak forthemselves.
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ngā karere o te tai tokerau te kūkupa - connect, engage and be informed with te ao Māori news from te tai tokerau #tekukupa listen on-air,
