Pipiwharauroa - Kohitātea (January)2023

Pipiwharauroa

I tana hokinga mai ki Tūranga, ko te putanga tērā o tana ihu - āe mārika, te whiwhinga o tana tiwhikete whakangungu, ana, ko tērā te urunga atu ki Poverty Bay Electrical Power Board, mau ana mō te toru tekau tau.

I te tau 1972, ka moe ia i a Sharon, ā, ka puta ā rāua tamariki tokowhā. Nāwai, ka puta ngā mokopuna tokoono. E rua putanga he māhanga. Tino kaingākau tahi rāua a Fred me Sharon ki te taha mātauranga me te kaha whakatō i taua whakaaro me taua āhuatanga ki ā rāua tamariki, mokopuna me te hapori hoki

I noho a Fred hei heamana mō Te Reo Irirangi o Tūranganui ā Kiwa – Tūranga FM; nāwai, ka whakataungia a Fred hei kaiwhakahaere mō te teihana. Kātahi nei te tūnga tino pai rawa ki a Fred, ā, tino harikoa ko ia te kaiwhakahaere o Tūranga FM i te taonga i Te Pou Irirangi Toa o Te Tau 2016.

Ko Horouta te waka

Ko Puketapu, ko Mātiti ngā maunga

Ko Te Ārai te Uru, ko Maraetaha ngā awa

Ko Rongowhakaata, ko Ngāi Tāmanuhiri ngā iwi

Ko Ngāti Maru, ko Rangiwaho ngā hapū Ko Whakatō, ko Muriwai ngā marae.

Kātahi te tangata maha ngā tūmomo āhuatanga te kitea e te tangata, ko Fred. He tangata pono ki tana whānau, ki tana iwi me te hapori whānui.

He tangata koi te hinengaro, ka rangona tōna waha e hāparangi, e katakata ana ahakoa kei whea. Ka menemene tonu te tangata ki ana kōrero hīanga, ki ana kupu hātakēhi. He tangata hūmārie, ngākaunui, he tangata mahi ngākau pono, me te mahi tikanga pono, ka whakanuia e te tini, e te rahi puta noa i Te Tairāwhiti whānui.

Ko ōna mātua ko Hiwi Rori Maynard Jnr rāua ko Rina (Lena) Waipare Wyllie. Nā rāua, ka whai pānga a Fred ki ngā iwi o Rongowhakaata, o Ngāi Tāmanuhiri, o Te Aitanga a-Māhaki, o Ngāti Kahungunu me Ngāti Porou. I te matenga ohorere o tana pāpā, ka moea a Jack Robin e tana māmā, ā, ka noho pūmau, ngākau pono tonu a Fred ki a Jack Robin.

I kuraina a Fred i te Te Kura o Manutūkē me Te Kura Tuarua o Tūranga Tane. I te mutunga o te kura, i haere ia ki Tāmaki Makarau ki te Akoranga Mahi (Trade Training). I te mutunga o ana whakamātautau, ka eke panuku ki te taumata o taua akoranga o Aotearoa huri noa, kātahi ka tūtaki ki a Kāwana-Tianara Tā Arthur Porritt i Tūranga.

Pono mārika, kāre i tua atu, ko te whutupōro, ko YMP. Mai i te kaitākaro, ki te kaiako, pūmau taketake, hei kaiwhakahaere, tau tonu ana pūkenga hei whakahaere tikanga. I te tau 2015, i whakawhiwhia ia ki te Tohu Mema Toiora. He kaiwawao hoki ia mō Poverty Bay Rugby Referees mō te wā poto, ā, ka huri ki te āwhina i Te Kura o Manutūkē me ngā tīma whutupōro Māori o Tūranga.

I taua wā, ahakoa he nui ngā piki me ngā heke, i ārahi ia i Te Kura o Manutūkē ki te whakatū i te Rūmaki Reo Māori, ā, i noho ia hei mema kōmiti whakahaere mō ngā mahi whakanui i te rua tekau mā rima tau o te kura. He tangata patu, whakaweto ahi hoki i te Manutūkē Fire Brigade, ā, ka noho hoki hei mema komiti whakahaere o Maraetaha Incorporation; whai muri mai, i noho hei heamana mō Rongowhakaata Ngāi Tāmanuhiri Kōkiri.

I te tau 1986, ka noho ia hei kaitiaki, hei kaihautū mō Rongowhakaata i Te Rūnanga o Tūranganui ā-Kiwa, hei kaitohutohu i Cedenco, me te mahi mutunga kore i ngā komiti o te rūnanga i mua i te nohanga hei heamana. Pono tonu a Fred ki te wawata a Te Rūnanga mō te kaupapa o Te Tino Rangatiratanga

E ai ki a John Ruru, te heamana o mua, mā te tino tangata ka kitea te huarahi e puta ai te ihu i te raruraru, āe mārika, ko Fred tērā - te para huarahi e tau ai te puehu, e oti ai te mahi. He mema ia o te poari kaitiaki o Te Kura Tuarua o Tūranga Tane, he kaitautoko hoki i ngā kerēme a Tūranga ki Te Arawhiti. Mai i te tīmatanga o Rongowhakaata Iwi Trust, hiaroa a Fred e pono tonu ana ki te kaupapa.

E ai ki a Ronald Nepe, te Kaiwhakahaere Matua o Te Rūnanga o Tūranganui ā Kiwa, tika tonu kia whakanuia a Fred, te kaipara i te huarahi o te nuinga o ngā kaupapa puta noa i Te Tairāwhiti me ana mahi ki Te Whakaruruhau o Ngā Reo Irirangi Māori me te mōhio hoki e whai pānga ngā iwi o Tūranga ki ngā take ā-motu, ā-tōrangapū.

I te pō poroporoaki, ka whakapuaki ana kaimahi i tō rātou arohanui me tana taha maroke, tana tikanga ‘kaua e pā mai’. Ki ngā whakaaro o Fred, he tangata ia nā ngā tāngata, he tonotono. He tangata ngahau, he tangata atawhai, he tangata tino pono ki tana whānau, ki tana iwi me te katoa i tautoko i a ia i ngā tau kua pahure. I tua atu o ana hoa tata, ko Willie Te Aho tana hoa i kōrero mō ana pūkenga ki te ārahi, ki te tautoko, te tohu o te maire tū wao.

E kore te aroha

E maroke i te rā

Mākūkū tonu

I aku roimata e

Tūranga Tangata-rite

Tūranga Makaurau

Tūranga Ararau

Tūranga-a-Mua

Tūranganui-ā-Kiwa

Kohitātea 2023 Pukapuka: Toru Tekau Panui: Tahi

He punenga, he hoa, he pononga, he pāpā

TĀMANUHIRI TŪTŪ POROPORO TRUST

PipiwharauroaPipiwharauroa

TĀMANUHIRI TŪTŪ POROPORO TRUST

Founded October 1898

Pukapuka: Toru Tekau

Pānui: Tahi

Te Marama: Kohitātea

Te Tau: 2023

ISSN: 1176-4228 (Print)

ISSN: 2357-187X (Online)

Pīpīwharauroa takes its name from ‘He Kupu Whakamārama Pīpīwharauroa’, which was printed in October, 1899 by Te Rau Print and edited by the late Reverend Reweti Kohere. Pīpīwharauroa was re-launched on 20 October, 1993.

Produced and edited by:

Te Rūnanga o Tūranganui-ā-Kiwa

Tūranga Ararau

Printed by: The Gisborne Herald

Email: pipiwharauroa@ta.org.nz

Phone: (06) 868 1081

NGĀ PAKEKE O TĀMANUHIRI

Our first Pakeke hui was held on Friday 27 January, it was great to see everyone after the Christmas and New Year break. The hui was transferred to Rangiwaho Marae at the last minute and the Pakeke and Trust were grateful to our ringawera for hosting us.

Uncle Nuna Wyllie shared with our pakeke some video footage of Tāmanuhiri pakeke from the 1990s discussing our Mana Whenua and Mana Moana with regards to Te Kuri. This was great as we got transported back 30 years and were able to see the faces and hear the voices of our pakeke who have been gone a long time.

http://www.facebook.com/pipi.wharauroa

TĀMANUHIRI TŪTŪ POROPORO TRUST TRUSTEES SETTING US UP FOR THE FUTURE

Tāmanuhiri Tūtū Poroporo Trust Trustees held a two day wānanga at Rangiwaho Marae to prepare themselves for the 2023 year and begin to shape the future of Ngāi Tāmanuhiri whānau whanui.

Day One was focused governance training tailored to the skillsets and personalities of our board using Peter Allen of Business Torque Limited.

Day Two was a focus on financial literacy of the board and developing a social procurement strategy to create value for uri of Ngāi Tāmanuhiri. The two days were hugely beneficial as the trustees began to understand one another and how best to work as a team.

Parekura Brown Jr reciting a karakia to open the Pakeke hui at Rangiwaho Marae

Uncle Nuna Wyllie sharing his mātauranga and video footage of pakeke from the early 1990s.

Tāmanuhiri Tutu Poroporo trustees engaged in governance training at Rangiwaho Marae

Kei Tūtū, Kei Poroporo, Hei Oranga o te Iwi, The prosperity of Tāmanuhiri is in our whenua, moana and whānau

Pipiwharauroa

Tairāwhiti Community Law Centre

Our Rights when Returning Goods and seeking Refunds or Replacements

Here we are in 2023! Christmas is just a recent memory.

Now that we are over the seasonal gifting frenzy, we may realise that some of the things we have bought or received have not been fit for purpose. We either don’t like them, or they aren’t what we expected from the photos on the websites, or they came broken or were soon broken after we received them.

So, what can we do?

If we purchased an item from a private seller, either in person or online, we may have no guaranteed rights to seek a refund other than asking for one. When we buy privately, we are buying “as is”, the fact that we paid for it means we have agreed to accept it in its current state.

If we purchased a product from a trader (a retail shop or website such as Trade Me) that is faulty or not of acceptable quality, the Consumer Guarantees Act gives us powerful aftersales rights.

The Act says products must match their description, be of acceptable quality and fit for purpose. If a product has a minor fault, the retailer can choose to repair the item, replace it or refund our money.

If the fault is major, we can choose whether to opt for a replacement or refund. A major fault means a reasonable consumer would not have bought the product had they known about the fault.

We have the right to take the item back to the shop and have it fix the problem. The retailer cannot just fob us on to the manufacturer.

A sign put up by a retailer that says “No refunds or exchanges” is meaningless as we have full rights under the Act.

What if I no longer want it or I have just changed my mind?

We do not have the right to return goods just because we have changed our mind, or our circumstances have changed when there is no fault with the goods.

For example, we bought a smartphone. What if:

• Our partner bought us one as a surprise on the same day. Can we take one of them back?

• We really wanted a purple one. Can we swap?

• The same phone is $100 cheaper in the shop next door. Can we get a refund?

The answer to all these questions is “no”. The retailer is under no legal obligation to exchange the product or give us our money back. However, some retailers will do so in the interests of good customer service, so it is worth asking.

Some stores have a no-questions-asked exchange policy for customers who have changed their mind. This usually means we can swap for another item or a credit note. Occasionally, a store returns policy lets us get a refund, but it is up to the store.

Ask the retailer when you buy if it offers exchange cards or that you can get a refund. There are exceptions to this rule:

Credit Contracts

For example, if we buy a washing machine through a store finance deal. We have five working days to cancel the credit contract if we have second thoughts.

Door-to-door Sales

We also have five working days to cancel a door-to-door sale. We can cancel for any reason. The trader must give us a full refund if we cancel.

References:

Returns and refunds - know your rightsConsumer NZ Consumer Guarantees Act - know your rights - Consumer NZ

Gillian Creach General Manager

Fred (Freddy) Renata Maynard

16 April 194929 January 2023

Aroha mutunga kore

Nā te whānau te mihi kau nei, te mihi nui Mai i te manawa

Fred’s whānau sincerely acknowledges all of you who supported him particularly so in more recent years including Gisborne Alzheimer’s, the Sherwood Club, his minder at Sherwood Wendy as well as his caring and dedicated carers.

We also sincerely acknowledge and thank all of you who supported us throughout his tangihanga including our kaikōrero, kaikaranga, kaikarakia, kaiwaiata, our cooks and the many of you who gave so generously of your time and for your expressions of sympathy and your generous koha.

Sadly we were not able to have all of you who wanted to be with Fred at his nehu at Hurimoana urupā due to safety concerns but know your thoughts were with us.

E kore e hekeheke, he kākano rangatira.

Rangi Puano Moeke

Pipiwharauroa

I was born in 1947 at Waipiro Bay to Sam (Hamiora) Moeke and Wahinengaroroamatekitewhenua (Hine) Moeke, nee Houia of Reporua. In my early years we lived on Moeke whānau land just out of Ruatōria.

I’m the oldest in the family, my siblings are Kessie, the late Tau Korea and my two beautiful whangai sisters.

My mother and father were hard workers and frequently camped out to take on jobs like scrub cutting while our Nan, my mother’s mother Keriana nee Gerrard looked after us. Once a year she caught the Road Services bus to Gisborne and on arrival immediately headed off to the Barwick’s auction where she bought clothes and cut them down to fit us tamariki. She also cut down and refitted my father’s trousers for me and my brother. I usually only had two pairs, one for swimming and the other for wearing everywhere else, if the second pair got dirty playing rugby I was in real trouble.

I was the only one in my whānau to have a bicycle and we rode horses or walked to school some four kilometres away. I never once got boils even though we always rode bareback. I went to Manutahi and Huriharama Schools but schooling just didn’t interest me as I got the strap for speaking Māori, imagine the public outcry

with the most creative ones being, “I lost my pencil” or “My family cannot afford one.”

For entertainment we had the local picture theatre, we could catch the bus for a shilling or ride one of the horses, that was if Edward Keelan had not taken off with it. When we hit town we took off its bridle and it turned around and trotted off back home. Once there it grazed along the fenceline until we returned to let it back into the paddock. Going to the beach was a favourite pastime. We were taught by the old people to mimi on the collection kete and, once in the sea, easily collected kaimoana from its abundant storehouse of kina, kutai, paua, koura and octopus.

From the shore we gathered pipi and bubu. We always only took enough kaimoana for our needs. When we arrived home Nan shelled the paua then dropped them into a bucket of

rendered mutton fat to be preserved before being cooked and eaten up to three months later. Fishing was always an adventure catching herrings, kahawai and shark that we stripped, salted and hung out to dry to also be eaten at leisure.

We made our own hinaki to catch eels, Mum gathered worms for bait shredding each one into long strips that we attached to six lengths of flax tied to a Mānuka pole before dipping them into the water. As soon as we felt the slightest of tugs we flicked the lines to the side while the helpers ran around excitedly yelling they had caught it in the bag. Quite often though we heard a plopping sound as they fell to the ground, boy did Dad get mad with them.

We had a house cow, a pretty wild thing that had to be chased into the corner of the paddock and baled up by tying a rope from one fence to the other before she could be milked. We also had a horse called Rising Fast that Mum broke in. It too was a wild thing that reared up and pranced from side to side whenever anyone tried to mount her. She was from an ambler we had and a stallion owned by the local headmaster.

When he was away one time Dad popped the ambler into the stallion’s paddock and couple of days late told me to sneak down and see if it had any markings on her back. I duly reported that her back was covered in mud and was left wondering why he immediately took off to retrieve her. Perhaps, I thought to myself, it just needed a wash.

The paddocks around us were leased to local pākehā farmers and were an occasional source of mutton and my parents swapped firewood for a mutton with a Chinese man when he was in the district. We also enjoyed a reasonably regular supply of mutton during shearing time when my parents worked for a local pākehā by the name of McCosh, Mum was a fleeso and Dad a presser. Dad had been hit in the leg during World War 2 with machine gun fire as he dived for cover into a foxhole.

This is probably why he never became a shearer and refused to consider taking up the offer of having it amputated and replaced with a prosthetic leg despite the pain he suffered. From his war experiences Dad was pretty good at sneaking through the bush surrounding Ruatōria successfully hunting for wild game including wild pigs. He was a master at skinning and preparing carcasses for the dinner table.

My parents had a connection to the Ringatū haahi on my mother’s father’s side. I have a vague memory of him baptising

Me as a baby

Young Rangi Puano and sister Kessie

Rangi and his moko Xaya

Pipiwharauroa

bread that had been spoiled by being cut crookedly. They only cost five pence each and were very filling.

From the boarding house we moved to live in a house nestled behind the Fish and Chip shop in Childers Road. Mum grew the potatoes for chips and washed the dishes for the owner of the shop. He was Dutch and when he decided to return to Holland he offered to sell her the house. Not trusting banks she had her savings hidden in the house and he accepted what she could find hidden away.

Nan Keriana also moved to Gisborne not long after us and lived in a bach with a washhouse behind it on a large section in Aberdeen Road opposite the Botanical Gardens. Later on, after many years working for the Holdsworths on Paringahou Station, her daughter and sister to Mum, Maraea Houia was helped by the Holdsworths to build a new home on the section where my wife and I now live.

kitchen chairs made from a plank on top of a couple of boxes. We did not have electricity and relied on kerosene for lighting, a wood stove and open fire for cooking and outside there was a large copper set up on steel bars and surrounded by large rocks for heating water and bathing in. Two to three of us could fit in the tub at a time and we bathed every couple of days.

When I was about ten years old Mum decided to move to Gisborne and sold our two horses and our cow to meet the cost. Dad joined us three months later. This was the first time ever I travelled outside of my birthplace and where I spent my formative years. Our first place of residence was in a boarding house in Lowe Street around about where The Warehouse now stands, we all lived in the one small room. From there we watched the local pākehā boys jag for fish such as mullet that came in at low tide seeking the pea and corn waste dumped into the water by Watties Cannery.

Some of the workers from the GRC freezing works came over to swap ‘leftover’ meat from their job for fish. Findlay’s Bakery was just down the road and sold loaves of freshly baked

In earlier years we were frequent visitors to their place and spent much of our time gathering pipi and catching kahawai, flounder and eels from the Taruheru River that ran alongside the gardens. The current was quite strong and dangerous and we had to take care when swimming in it and one time built a boat out of scrap wood and attempted to sail across it.

At times I would take off with my cousins playing around town and over in Kaiti. Mum was strict and really tough and made it clearly known that I was to be home by 4 in the afternoon otherwise there would be hell to pay. If I did not reach her deadline she came after me on her bike. Spotting her my auntie would say, “Boy, I think you are in trouble.” That was me, while Mum was greeting Auntie I took off, knowing she was in close pursuit I fast-tracked it and beat her home. One time, trying to protect me, my father hid her whacking stick but that only made matters worse and she grabbed an even heavier branch from the peach tree to lay across my hands. That was lesson 3.

After a time in town we connected with the Apostolic Church, a group of the congregation were singing on the footpath so we stood and listened and eventually accepted an invitation to join them inside. Pastor Bert Robinson led the congregation and Charlie Nikora was one of his supporters who later took over the Pastor’s role. We sat at the back and joined in the

choruses of the waiata we knew. I joined its youth group led by Ian Tasker, the Renata and Baker whanau were also members and we all had an awesome time.

At about this time I made my first foray into rugby which was a real experience. Whenever I received the ball I gapped it to the corner and easily scored a try. My coach had to point out to me that I should really head for between the goal posts making for an easier conversion, all I wanted to do was get clear of the opposition players and avoid being tackled.

One time we travelled by bus to Napier and were told to take our gear and a gift as we were to be billeted by the family of our opposite in the home team, I thought perhaps we would stay at a marae. Billeting was a term I had never heard of but soon to experience. Fish heads were certainly not on the menu for tea, sitting down I noticed the knife and fork but wondered what the spoon was for as there were no such thing as puddings at home.

It was a real shock starting at Gisborne Intermediate, I had to wear a uniform and again speaking Māori was forbidden and the cane was in frequent use. It was just the same moving on to Gisborne Boys High School. All we were taught that I remember was English and history about Captain Cook. If I had bothered to remember when he arrived here I would have had much better marks in School Certificate.

To be continued next month

Aunty Maraea Hollis and I at Tū Auau marae, Reporua 1980s

My father, sister and mother

My father served and was injured in WW2

Pipiwharauroa

tohu arā te Tohu Paetahi, Bachelor of Arts, me Te Pūkairua Mātauranga i te Whare Wānanga o Tāmaki Makaurau, ā, ka noho hei Kaiako Whakahaere mo Te Mātauranga Māori, hei Kaitohutohu ki te Kaiwhakahaere Matua o Unitec.

Nōu te tai ata He Maire tū wao

Dr Haare Mahanga Te Wehinga Williams, te uri o Te Aitanga ā Māhaki, Rongowhakaata me Ngāi Tūhoe, ahakoa i whānau mai ki Te Karaka, he tangata i pakeke mai i te akau o Ōhiwa, tata ki Ōpotiki. Ko te reo Māori anake ki te iwa tau katahi anō te reo pākehā i te haerenga ki te kura. I kuraina i Pūha, i te kāreti o Ōpotiki, i Waikohu, i Whakatāne hoki.

Nō muri mai ka haere ki Ardmore Teachers' College, katahi ka haere hei pūkenga ki te Whare Wānanga o Waikato. I reira ka whai

Kua whakahuainga a ia ki ngā rārangi whakahōnore mo te tau 2023 arā Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit. E whai ake ana tēnei hōnore i te Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit mo ana mahi āwhina i te iwi Māori, te mahi toi, mātauranga hoki i te tau 2018

He hōnore nui ki a ia te takahi i ngā tapuwae o rātou te nuinga i whai mana, i eke ki ngā taumata o te ao ki ngā mahi pākihi, ture, mātauranga, te ao pāho me te reo hoki.

Ko ētahi mahi nāna te tuatahitanga ko te pāho Māori i a ia whakahaere ana i te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa ka tūhono atu ki ngā Kaiwhakaari Moutere o te Tonga me te kura Pouwhakaata ki te whakaako i te reo Māori ki ngā kaiwhakahaere me ngā kaimahi.

Ko ia tētahi i tīmata i te wāhi e mōhiotia nei ināianei ko Ngā Puna Waihanga. Ko ia te tiamana mo te iwa tau.

Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi

Engari he toa takitini

E mihi kau ana a Reweti Ratu Ropiha ki tana kuia ki a Wikitoria me tana koroua a Ratu Ropiha. Nā rāua nei i whao te huarahi mōna. Nā ā rāua tohutohu, akoranga kua puta tana ihu. Nā tēra āhuatanga ka māheahea te huarahi hei whāinga māna ka puta he māramatanga, nā, kua whai hua. He uri nō Rongowhakaata me Ngāi Tāmanuhiri. I haere ki te kura i Manutuke, katahi ki Rītana, mai i reira ki te Whare Wānanga o Waikato ka whai Tohu Paerua Whakahaere Pākihi, me whai tohu hoki i te tōrangapū. E mihi ana hoki a ia ki ana tama Reweti Jr, Inatiaus, a Te Awa me tana hoa rangatira a Di Akurangi mo te kaha tautoko, āwhina i a ia.

Kua pau te rua tekau ma rima tau i a Reweti i te tūnga Tumuaki i Tūranga Health. Kua tau te hōnore Member of Order of Merit for Services mo ana mahi hauora Māori i te

rārangi hōnore o te tau hou 2023, ana e mihi ana a ia ki te maha, ki te tini i mahi i Tūranga Health.

Whai tonu tēnei i te hōnore i ūhia e te Kaunihere o Tūranganuia-Kiwa me tā Kiwibank Local Hero mētara ki a Reweti. Whai wāhi ana hoki ia ki te āwhina rawakore pēra i a Vanessa Lowndes Centre, Te Rūnanga o Turanganui ā Kiwa, Ngāi Tāmanuhiri Whanui Trust, Tūranganui Primary Health Organisation, C Company Memorial House, Sunrise Foundation, Mātai Medical Research Institute me Te Muriwai Marae.

Ahakoa i tīmatahia e Te Rūnanga o Tūranganui a-Kiwa, e mihi ana a Reweti ki te nuinga i āwhina i te wehenga mai, ka para i te huarahi o Tūranga Health. I raro i ana parirau, ka rere te kamupene o Tūranga Health ki ngā tōpito o Tūranganui a-Kiwa ki ngā iwi, ki ngā

Ko ia te kaumātua mo kōkiri Kotahi Rau Pukapuka, ā, te amorangi hoki I Te Whare Taonga o Tāmaki Makaurau, ā, mahi tahi ai ki ngā kerēme a-iwi i te hapori. He kaitohutohu tikanga hoki ki ngā Mea o Tāmaki.

Kei te rongo tonu a ia i ngā mamae o te Māori, taumaha tonu ana te ngarona. He pakiwaitara, he pūrākau, he tikanga Māori, he momo tuhituhi ana āhuatanga whakaaturanga i te huarahi, ngā piki, ngā heke, te whiwhi, te kore kei ngā whakapapa. Nā te ngakaunui ki tana reo ka tuhia, ka tāngia tana pukapuka tuatahi arā ‘Words of a Kaumātua’ i te tau 2019, he whakaaturanga mo tana ao pakeke mai e pā ana ki ngā rite kore ki Aotearoa. Ka eke panuku i te wāhanga Te Reo Māori 2020 arā i te Society of Authors' Heritage Book Awards.

Tino waimarie a Tā Haare nā te pono ki tana ao Māori engari kaha ki te kapo i te matauranga pākeha arā, hāngai tonu ki te kii a tana Nan Waioeke : “Boy, don't let schooling get in the way of your learning. Master both worlds and therefore become unimpeachable in each culture.”

I nāianei ka kite a ia i ngā ao e rua Māori mai, Pākehā mai e whao ana i te ao tēra pea mo te painga mo te katoa, mo te ao.

hapū, whānau hoki, kanohi ki te kanohi, tuku tūmomo āhuatanga whakaora wairua, tinana e hāngai ana ki te oranga o te tangata.

I whai hua ngā hōtaka nā te hāngai o ngā kaupapa ki ngā tūmomo āhuatanga e pā ana ki te oranga o hinengaro, te tinana, te wairua mo te hiaroa. Ko te kaupapa ngakaunuitia ko te kaupapa hangai ki ngā kaumātua. Ehara ki te tari anake, engari ka puta ki ngā kāinga, ki ngā marae, ki ngā wāhi mahi, ahakoa ki whea ka haeretia. I te panga o covid, kapi katoa ngā kokonga o te taone, tuawhenua, marae i ngā wāhi e taea ai te haere kia weroa. Ehara he Rongoa anake engari pūmau ana ki te whāngai i ngā whānau raka ki o rātou whare.

E whai hono ana ki ngā momo kāwanatanga me kanitaraki a-rohe me te mahi tahi ki Te Whare Wānanga o Otako me ētahi atu wāhi rangahau.

E mihi ana a Reweti ki ngā hapori o Tūranga me ngā kaimahi pono o te rua tekau ma rima tau.

“He ika ki te moana, ko Ngāti Maru ki uta”

Pipiwharauroa

TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR OUR YOUTH PROGRAMMES YOU NEED TO BE 15½ (WITH A SCHOOL EXEMPTION) TO 24 YEARS OF AGE

ALL PROGRAMMES ARE FEE FREE AND OFFER NATIONAL AND NEW ZEALAND QUALIFICATIONS

TRANSPORT IS PROVIDED AND YOU CAN JOIN AT ANY TIME

SERVICE INDUSTRIES

TE KĀKANO

FOUNDATION LEARNING

QUALIFICATIONS

• Literacy and Numeracy

• Employment Skills

• Career Planning

National Certificate in Educational Achievement - Level 1

New Zealand Certificate in Foundation Skills - Level 1

• Reo Māori

• Tikanga ā-Iwi

• Primary Industry Skills

• Sport and Recreation

• Hospitality and Tourism

Develop the foundation skills and knowledge you will need to progress to higher levels of study and employment by joining this programme. You will also be able to experience other learning opportunities including horticulture, farming, forestry, sport and recreation, hospitality, tourism and Reo Māori to help you decide your future career pathway.

Available in Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay.

MANAAKITANGA - HĀ KINAKINA HOSPITALITY AND TOURISM SPORT AND RECREATION

• Karakia and Waiata

• Kaitiakitanga

• Whakawhanaungatanga

• Health Hygiene and Safety

QUALIFICATIONS

• Pūkengatanga

• Cooking

• Manaakitanga

• Tikanga ā-Iwi

• Sport and Fitness

• Outdoor Experiences

NCEA Services Industries (Hospitality) Vocational Pathways - Level 2

New Zealand Certificate in Manaaki Marae Te Kāuta - Te Wharekai Kaupae 2

New Zealand Certificate in Foundation Skills - Level 2

On successfully completing this programme you will have the basic industry skills to progress to higher learning or sustainable employment in the industry of your choice including hospitality, Māori tourism, retailing, sport and outdoor recreation.

Available in Gisborne and Hawke's Bay.

YOUTH SERVICE: TŪRANGA

Check out our supportive team of enthusiastic people here at Youth Service - Tūranga.

They are here to help our young people find a programme that meets their needs and interests on their way to completing NCEA Level 2 and to help them move and support them into higher learning or employment.

TAIRĀWHITI FARM CADETS AHUWHENUA

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If you are highly motivated and committed to work and advance in the farming industry our Tairāwhiti Farm Cadet scheme is an ideal step to help you get there.

Hostel accommodation is available for Level 3+ students at our Ruapani Station, Tiniroto and Waingake bases at no cost to you.

LEVEL 2

• Safe Work Practices

• Farm Equipment

• Farm Vehicles

• Shearing

• Fencing

• Animal Husbandry

• Stock Work

• Pest Control

NCEA with Primary Vocational Pathways and the New Zealand Certificate in Primary Industry Skills Level 2 will equip you with the foundation skills to progress to our higher level programmes covering a range of agriculture sectors.

QUALIFICATIONS

NCEA with Primary Industries (Farming) Vocational Pathways - Level 2 New Zealand Certificate in Primary Industry Skills - Level 2

LEVEL 3 - First Year

• Safe Work Practices

• Farm Machinery and Equipment

• Quads and LUVs

• Fencing

• Water Supply

QUALIFICATIONS

• Tractors

• Technology

• Risk and Harm

• Sustainable Practices

New Zealand Certificate in Primary Industry Operational Skills - Level 3 New Zealand Certificate in Agriculture (Farming Systems) - Level 3

Complete our range of Level 3 qualifications and you will be better prepared to gain employment in the industry. Subject to your readiness, you will be helped to find work where you can continue to learn while you earn.

• Feed Demands

• Feed Supply

• Mating

LEVEL 3 - Second Year

QUALIFICATION

New Zealand Certificate in Agriculture (Meat & Fibre) - Level 3

• Communication

• Livestock Health

• Mating and Parturition

• Livestock Husbandry

• Feeding Plans

• Livestock Production

• Soil and Pastures

• Farm Working Animals

• Agribusiness Machinery

• Fencing

This is a programme that follows on from the New Zealand Certificate in Primary Industry Operational Skills Level 3 and New Zealand Certificate in AgricultureFarming Systems Level 3. It provides a sound basis of knowledge and skills for study at Level 4 and higher.

All Level 2 and Level 3 farming programmes are available in Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay.

• Parturition

• Livestock Health

• Rearing Young Stock

TAIRĀWHITI FORESTRY CADETS

MARU A TĀNE

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Our range of forestry programmes will provide you with the pre-entry skills and qualifications required to work in the forest industry. Once employed you can continue to learn and gain advanced qualifications through a New Zealand forest industry apprenticeship. To join you will need to be physically fit and prepared to be drug free.

FORESTRY SKILLS - LEVEL 2

• Production and Environmental Requirements

• Basic Hazard Management

• Emergency Procedures

• Communication Systems

• Māori Cultural Interests

QUALIFICATIONS

• Teamwork

• Breaking Out

• Forest Establishment

• Landing Operations

• Planting and Pruning

NCEA Level 2 with Primary Industries (Forestry) Vocational Pathways - Level 2

New Zealand Certificate in Forest Industries Foundation Skills - Level 2

FOREST HARVESTING - LEVEL 3

QUALIFICATION

• Health and Safety

• Hazard Management

• Emergency Procedures

• Communication Systems

• Personal and Environmental Factors

• Historical and Cultural Sites

• Basic Machine Operation

• Tree Felling

• Breaking Out

• Manual Processing

• Log Scaling

• Poleman

• Quality Control

New Zealand Certificate in Harvesting Operations with Strands - Level 3

FOREST OPERATIONS - LEVEL 3

• Health and Safety

• Hazard Management

• Emergency Procedures

• Communication Systems

• Personal and Environmental Factors

QUALIFICATION

• Historical and Cultural Sites

• Mensuration

• Pruning

• Thin to Waste

New Zealand Certificate in Forest Operations with Strands - Level 3

FORESTRY MANAGEMENT - LEVEL 6

WHAKATIPUTANGA NGAHERE

Join many of our past graduates who are now holding management roles in the forest industry, locally and nationally. Having NCEA Level 2 or equivalent and/or experience in the forest industry is an advantage to successfully complete this programme but not essential as additional learning support is provided. This is a two year programme.

• Introduction to the forest industry

• Leadership, Communication, and People Management

• Forestry Science

• Technical Forestry and Data Collection

QUALIFICATION

• Forestry Operations

• Land Use and Sustainability

• Forestry Business Planning

• Costing, Planning and Contract Management

• Forestry Management Systems

• Research Projects

Whakatiputanga Ngahere - New Zealand Diploma in Forest Management - Level 6

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AHU WHENUA RURAL PEST CONTROL

• Health and Safety

• Communication Skills

• Tikanga ā-Iwi

• Agrichemicals

QUALIFICATION

• Animal Plant Pest Control

• Monitoring Rural Pests

• Toxins

• Trapping

• GPS

• Report Writing

• First Aid

New Zealand Certificate in Pest Operations with Strands in Rural Pest Control and Rural Pest Monitoring Level 3

This very popular programme is desgined to meet growing employment opportunities in the rural pest control industry to achieve the goal of a Pest Free New Zealand 2050. Graduates of this programme can pathway to employment with whānau, hapū, iwi, local and regional bodies and agencies as rangers or similar roles and / or progress to the New Zealand Certificate in Pest Management Level 4.

AQUACULTURE

• Health and Safety

• New Zealand Aquaculture Industry

• Employment Skills

• Tikanga ā-Iwi

• Kaupapa Tangaroa

• Customary Fishing

QUALIFICATIONS

• Paua, Tio, Hāmana and Kutai Farming

• Land Based Fish Farming Structures

• Water Quality and Testing

• Farmed Fish Harvesting

NCEA in Primary Industries (Aquaculture) Vocational Pathways - Level 2 New Zealand Certificate in Foundation Skills - Level 2

Join a programme that offers an overview of the aquaculture industry in New Zealand, land based marine farming skills and knowledge, customary fish harvesting practices and much more. Graduates can progress to employment in the industry and / or the New Zealand Certificate in Aquaculture Level 3.

Available in Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay.

TE REO MĀORI

TE REO O TE TAIRĀWHITI

• Kōrero

• Pānui

• Tuhituhi

QUALIFICATIONS

• Whakarongo

• Tikanga ā-Iwi

• Mōteatea

New Zealand Certificate in Tikanga - Level 3

Te Pokaitahi Reo Māori (Rumaki, Reo Rua) - Te Kaupae 3

Whether you are a beginner or have some level of competency this programme will help you to extend your ability to speak conversational Reo Māori.

Career pathways include teaching, Māori media, tourism, researching, social and health services and much more.

TE ARA POUTAMA

HE POUTAMA RANGATAHI

This is a 12 week part-time programme followed by 40 weeks of continued support that focuses on our taiohi aged 16 – 24 years old.

By joining this programme you will be supported to gain relevant certificates and basic skills aligned to a variety of employment opportunities.

MĀORI TRADES AND TRAINING

TAIRĀWHITI MAHI TŪ MAHI ORA

This is an iwi developed programme for Māori delivered by Māori to support Māori businesses to recruit and retain Māori in sustanable employment. Our emphasis is on training in employment including industry licences and qualifications.

A vital component of the programme is the manaaki available to Māori employers and trainees.

ADULT COMMUNITY EDUCATION

ACE - Short Courses

For adults and youth 2-10 hours a week

HE HUARAHI ADULT & YOUTH PATHWAYS

TE REO O TŪRANGA

DIGITAL LITERACY

ĀRA ORANGA - HEALTH AND WELLBEING

ORA MAHI - EMPLOYMENT PATHWAYS

Tūranga Ararau has recently been blessed with two beautiful new mokopuna. Both of their mums are valued kaimahi.

Pipiwharauroa

Gisborne Cosmopolitan Club 190 Derby Street

Hokopu Ereatara Brown

Born 22 December 2022, weighing in at 8lbs 14oz and height 55cm

Named after the parents grandfathers.

Ihimaera Hokopu Brown and Ranginui

Ereatara Hingston

Dad - Zelton Brown White

Mum - Iriesha Carrington-Hingston

Grandparents

Ingrid Brown and Patrick White

Judy Carrington and Selwyn Hingston

Iwi: Rongowhakaata

Kainoa Piuta Te Uranga Robert

Pipi Pahuru

Date of birth: 10 of August 2022 at 04:20am, weighing 7.1 pounds

Parents names: Cody Pahuru & Navana Pokoati

Iwi: Ngāti Porou, Te Whānau-ā-Apanui, Te Aitanga-ā-Mahaki, Mauke

: He’s a easy going baby who loves his whānau, the outdoors and going to work on the farm!

Tuesday 21 February 7:10am –2:00pm

Wednesday 22 February 7:10am – 2:00pm

Thursday 23 February 7:10am – 2:00pm

Tairāwhiti Museu

Kōhanga Reo

Puna Reo

Early Childhood Educa

PROGRAMMES ON OFFER

MUSEUM TOUR

45 min tour exploring the mu on display in our galleries We to your learning focus.

NGĀ KĒMU (OUTREACH)

Museum educators will come Kēmu programme where tam variety of traditional Māori g

*Programmes can be deliver

*We recommend groups of ta

Book in now:

https://tairawhitimuseum or or email education@tairawh

The Tairāwhiti Museum Education Team are excited to release our Education Booklet for 2023!

Our Booklet has over 25 Educational programmes to choose from with many aligning to the new Aotearoa New Zealand's Histories Curriculum

You can view our Booklet via our website: https://tairawhitimuseum org nz/education/2023-educationprogramme-booklet/ Book in now:

https://tairawhitimuseum.org.nz/education/bookings/ or email: education@tairawhitimuseum org nz

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28 (Māori) Battalion’s Battle Honours Memorial flag with Battle Honours fully displayed were recognised for the first time in 76 years at Muruika, Ohinemutu on Waitangi Day 2023

The 28 (Māori) Battalions Battle Honours Memorial flag with the Battalions 42 Campaign and Battle Honours were presented and recognised at Muruika, Ohinemutu on the 6 February 2023 for the first time in 76 years by Tā Robert Gillies, 28 (Māori) Battalion's hōia mōrehu.

The award of Campaign and Battle Honours is an acknowledgement by the Sovereign which recognises the presence of a Battalion and allows the Battalion to display its battle and military traditions but to date the 28 (Māori) Battalion’s Campaign and Battle Honours have never been publically displayed.

“This is 70 years too late,” said Tā Robert. “We were volunteers not conscripts and we fought for six long years, the whole Battalion

Tāngata Humāria

Charitable Trust aims to bridge the gap

Tāngata Humāria Charitable Trust (THCT) aims to bridge the gap between the Government’s priorities and the aspirations of whānau, hapū and iwi in Te Tairāwhiti. We have a central vision of thriving whānau in engaged communities.

Tāngata Humāria Charitable Trust has met with Minister Allan and had contact with Minister Wood regarding a bespoke by the people for the people Forestry Safety Campaign/Inquiry in Te Tairāwhiti, we requested support in 2021 and 2022.

Forestry in Te Tairāwhiti is prominent, but not always positive. One in four people in Tairāwhiti are dependent on a forestry income but we are paying the ultimate price of broken bodies, lost loved ones and environmental devastation.

The current forestry situation is bleak and lacks resilience. It indicates systemic issues from Government.

• Environmental destruction impacting our most vulnerable communities, irreversible damage to our whenua

• Abysmal death rates in forestry, Māori are 55% more likely to be injured or killed at work, that inequity has been growing consistently over successive years

• In Te Tairāwhiti Forestry has killed 13 local people in as many years

• Highly disengaged Workforce / Poor public

perception of Industry

• Unstable Boom Bust Industry, income instability (Port Storage / Swells / Weather Events / Overseas Markets / Resourcing)

• Te Tairāwhiti is isolated, has extreme terrain, the local infrastructure is not coping

Tāngata Humāria Charitable Trust have regular contact with community/ whānau across social, cultural, environmental and economic challenges. We gather feedback and insights from our people. We aim to share these real-life experiences with government agencies to help shape policy development and initiatives that reach the core of the issues and facilitate meaningful change.

The crisis the indigenous people warned the western world would happen, has arrived. We are the Mokopuna they were trying to protect this from happening to. All the indigenous practices of safely and sustainably cultivating the lands and seas that weren’t adhered to, we are now paying the costs for, as will future generations. The realisation is a sad "I Told you so" moment.

Māori need seats at decision making tables to ensure we can nurture the People and Place, so she can sustain us all. The times we are living in are proof the western way does not work. The forestry owners see our tangata and our whenua as a cheap commodity able to be exploited to syphon profits off shore.

Forestry is dangerous by design and must stop severing our whakapapa lines. The pain shared by many whānau at the hands of the industry sends disturbing ripples impacting the fabric of our communities in all facets of daily life.

agrees.” In displaying 28 (Māori) Battalions Campaign and Battle Honours for the first time Tā Roberts desire is that New Zealand Defence Force 28 (Māori) Battalion flag and the 28 (Māori) Battalion Battle Honours Memorial flag stand side by side as pou maumahara that acknowledge the parallel sacrifices of Tangata Tiriti and Tangata Tikanga Māori during World War II.

Following the Kawe Mate Taonga Tūpāpaku at Muruika Urupā Tā Bom will present the 28 (Māori) Battalion Battle Honours Memorial Flag at Waitangi on the 18th February and thereafter he will be leading a kawe mate to marae within the Kamupene C and Kamupene D rohe prior to returning the Taonga Tūpāpaku to Waitangi on ANZAC Day 2023.

The policies and procedures, systems, arbitrary time frames, bureaucracy, technocracy and unanswered questions binds these whānau together through their pain. We will not allow the perpetrators to pose as the saviours. Waiting in the industry to do the right thing has not worked, time for whānau, hapū, iwi to step into the role of Kaitiaki. Forestry’s social licence should be revoked.

Paper thin administrative controls and worker blame is no longer acceptable, the impact on the whenua is effecting us all. We will no longer accept the forestry industry receiving pitiful fines and tokenistic selfproclaimed “improvements” in practices.

We have waited years for the urgent changes from the Independent Forestry Safety Review to be implemented. We have no more fingers to count the acronym entities in place to foster forestry improvements FOA, FISC, FICA, FSC, PEFC.

We have Forestry Strategic Plans from MBIE, Worksafe, Safetree, Eastland Wood Council, Te Uru Rakau. None of these efforts are altering the outcome for Forestry whānau and communities. It is time for some upstream accountability, safety in design and meaningful change.

Now more than ever, we need to let the experts be the experts. The experts in this instance are kaimahi, whānau, hapū and iwi. Who better to establish, implement and monitor said change than the ones with the most to lose, and we don’t mean money.

Tā Robert Gillies Kamupene B, 28 (Māori) Battalion stands with Aake Ake Kia Kaha, The 28 (Māori) Battalion Battle Honours Memorial Flag at St Faiths, Ohinemutu ©Harawira Craig Pearless, Kohitātea 2023.

Pipiwharauroa

Meka Whaitiri

Kia ora everyone and Happy New Year. I hope you were able to spend some valuable time with friends and whānau and that you now feel rested and ready for 2023.

It’s been a challenging start to the year for many on the East Coast as a result of the destruction and damage caused by Cyclone Hale in early January. Many parts of the region are still cut-off and the clean-up and recovery will take time.

I want to thank all those who stepped up to help in the immediate aftermath of the flooding including the fantastic Tāirawhiti Emergency Management team at the Gisborne District Council as well as the other first responders, roading and power crews, food suppliers and Defence Force

Mere Pōhatu Freedom

I respect the Prime Minister. The PM position is the face of democracy. Prime Minister Ardern was brave, clever and beautiful, a tremendous asset for Aotearoa. Like most politicians, she was tuned in to the cut and thrust in the political trenches and parliamentary benches.

Our previous PM was, and is, a lovely human being. Besides all of that she had a deep love for Tūranganui ā Kiwa.

Unlike most politicians, she was she. Unlike most political leaders, she was also a new younger generation of leadership around the world.

Unlike previous political leadership in Aotearoa, she was dealt incredibly unusual circumstances and issues to deal to and steward through.

Unlike previous Prime Ministers, she experienced the most terrible act of terrorism and international viral disease pandemics, the likes of which we should never have on our whenua. She, the PM,

staff who were working around the clock in Gisborne and up the Coast in very trying conditions.

I was grateful to be able to get out and spend a couple of days up the Coast visiting a range of locals affected by the flooding and the impact it has had on their farms, coastlines and businesses. This is of course not the first time farmers and growers in Tāirawhiti have had to deal with major flooding and threats to their livelihoods in recent years and it’s fair to say there is a sense of exhaustion from many of the locals I’ve spoken to who, in a short space of time, have gone from recovery to relief and then back into recovery.

While a full and final assessment of the damage caused by Cyclone Hale is still to be completed, the government has already announced significant financial support to support the region’s recovery. An initial contribution of $150,000 from the Mayoral Relief Fund was made available to ensure impacted communities can deliver immediate support to those in need, while the Ministry for Primary Industries has made $100,000 available to farmers and growers in

the region including one-on-one mentoring support.

The Ministry for Social Development is also making up to $500,000 available to employ job seekers to support the cleanup. Having seen the damage from Cyclone Hale up close it’s clear that the recovery will be ongoing but I can assure you all that the government will continue to offer as much support as it can.

Finally, I would like to congratulate our new Prime Minister, Chris Hipkins, and new Deputy Prime Minister, Carmel Sepuloni. They both live the Labour Party values, and put people and whānau at the heart of what they do. I look forward to working alongside them as we countdown to the election in October. I’d also like to thank Jacinda Ardern for the courage, empathy and aroha she displayed in leading Aotearoa during a challenging five and a half year period. I wish her, Clarke and Neve all the best for their future together and, if they need a beautiful location for their upcoming nuptials, Tāirawhiti would welcome you with open arms.

co-built the policy response with every one of us in mind. It was game on and defend at all costs. Almost immediately extremist opinions and thinking flowed in from the darkest international corners. Freedom.

Well, where I've come from and over the years I’ve heard some of the best insults between humans there ever has been. I’ve marvelled at the wit and sharp intellects of politicians towards one another. Downright clever.

How on earth did we turn into a nation of hate talkers? Not here, not in Aotearoa. Surely not.

I’ve only ever known two politicians on a personal level. Enough to know they both received a few hate letters. Parekura got the Foreshore and Seabed. Hekia got the education unions and oil exploration letters. Some were personally offensive. Gosh we can be a hard lot. Talking tikanga and values, then acting out like they don't exist. Let's talk about policy would be a typical Hekia response. Parekura, on the other hand, would say “that's paru talk” to people talking rubbish.

The previous PM, she was all class. At first, I thought it was funny that the people wanting more freedoms were getting together in convoys. Then I thought this is getting scary. Frightening.

Convoys and campsites were taking on a whole new meaning. Their intent turned into a strategy to demonise a clever and thoughtful young woman leader. I saw images so gross and akin to rape and pillage.

The thing is that bad behaviour is still here in Aotearoa. It's here in Tūranganui ā Kiwa.

That’s why Pīpīwharauroa and its reading community is so important. Pīpī content is all about being humble, purposeful, Māori thought leadership, real information and encouragement.

Pīpīwharauroa sees 2023 as the year to celebrate kids in Kura. We will all go down hard on any and all unacceptable insults, violations, and stuff that shatters our individual, personal, collective and public selves. All for freedom, with the greatest of respect.

Pipiwharauroa

Relay For Life is about bringing our community together in order to not only fundraise vital money for the Cancer Society, but also to remember those who have passed and provide both hope and support to those individuals and their whānau who are affected by a Cancer diagnosis.

We know that a cancer diagnosis affects more than just the individual person. By helping us to raise funds during our Relay for Life campaign, you enable The Cancer Society to provide a variety of support and care specifically tailored to each whānau and their needs, deliver proactive community wide education such as our SunSmart programme and contribute to further research. These measures all work together with the goal being to lower the incidence and impact of Cancer in our community.

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REWETI ROPIHA MNZM FOR SERVICES TO MĀORI HEALTH

Reweti Ropiha has been recognised in the 2023 New Year’s Honours list becoming a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) for services to Māori health.

The 54-year-old was in his o ce at Turanga Health in Gisborne when he first learned the news in November 2022.

“At the time I thought the sta member was winding me up,” says Mr Ropiha, who kept the honour a secret until New Year’s Eve.

Mr Ropiha, Rongowhakaata, Ngāi Tāmanuhiri, says he’s overwhelmed to have received recognition and feels humbled and blessed to be able to share it with whānau and colleagues.

“It is a great honour especially as there are so many faces and people who have gone before helping to shape what we do for the community.”

Mr Ropiha has been recognised for his dedication to improving the health and wellbeing of Māori living in the region, particularly in his role as chief executive of Turanga Health. The honour comes on the back of a Gisborne District Council Civic Award and a Kiwibanki Local Hero medal for Mr Ropiha.

Mr Ropiha is a champion for his people and their health. He has been at the helm of the iwi health organisation for 25 years. He and his team worked hard during the Covid-19 pandemic to help the region get vaccinated. With a kaupapa Māori approach that included hosting mass vaccination events around the rohe and face-toface kōrero, Turanga Health sta were driven to provide opportunities for people to engage with the science about vaccines in ways that suited them.

LOOKING BACK

Today’s public demand for Turanga Health’s services and its highly regarded position in the region is in sharp contrast to its humble beginnings.

When a 28-year-old Reweti Ropiha bounded into Tūranga Health in 1997 he took over a shy fledging company with an opening cash balance of $300 and fewer than 10 clients.

Recently returned from four years of overseas travel and feeling enlightened, Mr Ropiha was ready to apply himself to new challenges. “I had a sense that there was an opportunity there, not just for myself, but for the rohe.”

Reweti grew up in Manutuke, a whāngai son of Wikitoria and Ratu Ropiha. He went to Manutuke School, Lytton High School, and has completed a double degree in politics and business and a Master of Business Administration through Waikato University.

He credits his parents with teaching him about the importance of living by Rongowhakaata and Ngāi Tāmanuhiri values and connections with whānau.

“It was a simple upbringing; you were there for others and we shared everything. We helped people we didn’t necessarily know, and we followed our elders’ approach to common sense. I craved that when I was overseas, and I wanted to help participate in, and restore that, when I came back to Gisborne and started at Tūranga Health.”

THE EVOLUTION OF TURANGA HEALTH

Tūranga Health was created at a time of colossal change in the health sector - when community level organisations were playing a greater role in primary health care delivery.

Across the country Māori health providers were flourishing. In Gisborne, Te Runanga o Tūranganui-aKiwa created Tūranga Health as its health arm. It was a new kid on the block and very much in the shadow of neighbouring Māori health provider Ngati Porou Hauora.

“Everything was evolving, and we moved tentatively,” remembers Mr Ropiha. “The space was shifting from centralised power bases, to one of using other approaches in the delivery of health services.”

“Tūranga Health saw this as an opportunity not to replicate what was existing, but to embrace an approach of wellbeing that would include “kanohi ki te kanohi”, taking services to the whānau in whatever setting, and introducing a wider holistic lens.”

In 1998 Reweti and his small team took the cashstrapped Vanessa Lowndes Centre, where Reweti had once worked, under its wing. By now Tūranga Health had 150 people on its books.

Then it launched the extraordinarily successful Kaumātua Programme. “Our approach for health service delivery for older people was about keeping whānau in their home for as long as possible. We knew we were part of the jigsaw, and saw the need for a place for pākeke to congregate and thrive.”

Over the next four years Reweti oversaw Tūranga Health develop its unique approach and style of operating. In 2002 Tūranga Health took the first in a series of steps that would see it become the large-scale proficient business it is today. It teamed up with two general practice associations (Pinnacle and First Health) to form Tūranganui Primary Health Organisation. This model was unique in that the owners were independent practitioner associations and an iwi health provider.

TURANGA HEALTH TODAY

Now, Tūranga Health boasts a general practice in Te Karaka with 1600 registered patients, over 20 onsite workplace wellness programmes, one GP, one nurse practitioner, one consulting primary care expert, 12 nurses, and an ever-growing group of vaccinator-trained kaiāwhina. It has 3,000 registered whānau on its books and community-wide acceptance after helping the region’s residents through the pandemic.

The company holds multiple Government and local contracts. It has moved into the mobile vaccination space and will soon increase its physical footprint in Elgin. For the past 10 years it has worked alongside the Otago University in numerous research projects.

“That’s been half of the attraction of this company, it doesn’t stand still. We’re always looking for new opportunities. I can tell you this is not a space of boredom. There have been countless e orts and contributions - not just my own. We can all stand proud of Tūranga Health.”

When asked about the future of Tūranga Health, the father of three boys, says the windscreen is bigger than the rear vision mirror.

“More than ever Tūranga Health continues to unlock responsive approaches to whānau demand, whereby sta can continue to provide real time care in the communities and homes of whānau.”

Turanga Health chief executive Reweti Ropiha has been recognised in the 2023 New Year’s Honours list becoming a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) for services to Māori health. Image by Brennan Thomas, Strike Photography.

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