Book launch
Wednesday 22 July, saw the launching of a series of books at Te Rau Aroha Marae on stories illustrated in art work around the wharekai.
Ferguson (Tūī), Ryder Kapene (Weka), Aurora Metzger (Kererū), Mercedes Akuhata (Pukeho) and Vana Savage (Kākāpō).
The stories, Kā Roimata, Tama Rereti, Battle of the Birds and Tunaroa have been retold by Bubba Thompson in English and Māori, in collaboration with Henare Manawatu, Paulette Tamati-Elliffe and Charisma Rangipunga.
Students broke into four groups between the wharekai and wharenui and were read stories from the book by teachers and a Ngāi Tahu representative. Bubba would like to acknowledge the funding he received from Mahere Mātauranga under an agreement between Papatipu Rūnanga and the Ministry of Education, and the assistance from Paulette and Charisma of Kotahi Mano Wawata for guidance and translation services. A big thank you also to Henare Manawatu who was responsible for overseeing that the project came in on time and on budget.
Members of the Ministry of Education, Papatipu Rūnanga and students and teachers from Bluff Community School attended the launch, which was then followed by the gifting of the publications to the schools’ six class representatives, Justis Heron (Takahē), Lachlan
Back row, Bubba Thompson. Front row, from left, Justis Heron, Lachlan Ferguson, Ryder Kapene, Aurora Metzger, Mercedes Akuhata and Vana Savage.
From left, Paddy Daintith and Tory Weatherall reading Māori and English versions of a story to the students of Bluff Community School.
Special commercial fishing closures
The work to enact these regulations was initiated by the Customary Fisheries Unit in the late 1990s and this work was continued by Kaupapa Taiao, Toitū Te Whenua and most recently by Tribal Interests.
In the mid-1980s, Uncle Harold Ashwell and Uncle George Ryan facilitated a programme to identify and protect customary fishing areas of significance around the Tītī Islands. Thirty-four areas were identified, focusing primarily on pāua and kina gathering areas.
In March, the Minister for Primary Industries approved the establishment of special commercial fishing closures for thirty-one areas around the Tītī Islands (three of the original 34 areas identified for protection were protected using Mātaitai Reserves in July 2010).
These areas were to be closed to commercial fishers by regulation, however this did not happen given the lack of Governmental interest in facilitating such outcomes in the 1980s. This resulted in a ‘gentlemen’s agreement with commercial fishers not to fish these areas. Unfortunately this agreement was ignored over subsequent years.
The new regulations were approved by Cabinet in June and came into force in July. If you wish to obtain a copy of the maps and documentation these closures cover you can contact members of the Rakiura Tītī Island (Beneficial Islands) Committee or members of Rakiura Tītī Islands Administering Body (Crown Islands).
From the late 1990s, onwards birders made constant requests for the Office of Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu to complete the work of George and Harold to protect these key customary fisheries for birding whānau.
Membership database
We are constantly updating our membership database and have found that many members’ children have had children of their own who require registering. If you are one of these people we encourage you to contact us on at the office to request a form/s.
Tahu please contact the Whakapapa Unit on: 0800 524 8248. We also encourage those members who have changed residential or email addresses to update their details by contacting the rūnanga on 03 212 6029/027 525 7055; or email tinamm@awarua.org.nz
NB: If your enquiries relate to registering with Ngāi
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