News
These poupou were commissioned with pūtea from The Ngāi Tahu Fund and the Department of Conservation. Ōraka Aparima Rūnaka engaged Bubba Thompson to construct and carve the poupou. These pou will stand as guardians over the marine reserves and in doing so, have allowed the opportunity for Ngāi Tahu to put their mark on the land and re-establish our association within Fiordland National Park. The names put to these pou will recall the whakapapa of those deities, early travellers and whānui, who moved about this place in times long ago. The pou will remind those who have lost that knowledge, of the whakapapa and the historical significance of these sites to the Ngāi Tahu peoples.
As March approaches our thoughts are on the forthcoming tītī season. We wish whānau who are going to the islands a safe and bountiful journey. If you have enjoyed a birthday in the last month or have new additions to your whānau, congratulations and here’s wishing you all good health and prosperity for the year ahead. The past month has seen a two significant events take place. Earlier in the month, the first of a number of pou to be located in Fiordland, were installed in Charles Sound. The poupou have been placed to mark the marine reserves in Fiordland. This project was instigated by the Fiordland Marine Guardians.
Stewart Bull with the Fiordland pou.
Whale stranding
The tragic stranding of a pod of orcas at Rarakou in Te Waewae Bay created worldwide media attention. This event created a massive workload for whānau, who were involved in the recovery of these tohorā.
A huge thank you to all of the volunteers, who gave their time to this mahi. A review process is underway and a more comprehensive report on this incident will follow once the review has been completed.
Rigby-Paku-Pohio reunion
As part of the Rigby-Paku-Pohio reunion this year, Dr Terry Ryan came to speak to the whānau about their Ngāi Tahu whakapapa, in particular the Rigby line.
Thank you Uncle Terry for taking time out of your annual holidays and speaking to our whānau. Everyone agreed that you were the highlight.
In this modern age, to have Terry stand and present such important information without any technical assistance, and to pull facts and figures from his head, showed to the whānau how important it is to have him sharing our whakapapa. The whānau were amazed at the way he was able to bring alive our tīpuna and put together the journey of Mary Susan Whitehouse (Merehana) from Stewart Island to Ahuriri where she met and married William Joseph Rigby.
Dr Terry Ryan giving a copy of the whakapapa to Erena Rigby.
Nurses’ clinics
Ngā Kete Mātauranga Pounamu Charitable Trust are holding four nurses’ clinics at Takutai o Te Tītī Marae (Colac Bay) this coming year. The clinics will be held from 10am to 2pm on 3 April, 26 June, 18 September and 27 November. Cervical smears will be available at the June and November clinics. Appointments are preferred. Please phone 0800 925 242 for an appointment.
The registered nurse can support you with blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol checks, cervical smears, sexual health education, general health checks, health and wellness plans. and linkage and referrals. Please consider supporting this service. Ngā Kete Mātauranga Pounamu Charitable Trust, 92 Spey Street, Invercargill. Phone 03 214 5260.
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