Te Harinui
This year marks the bi-centenary of Samuel Marsden’s landing in the Bay of Islands and the first proclamation, by Marsden and Ruatara, of the Gospel in Aotearoa. In keeping with their original Christmas Day message “Te Harinui” of “Good News of Great Joy”, Bishop Kelvin is walking the length of Otago and Southland to announce again the great news. Bishop Kelvin and his enthusiastic walking companions arrived drenched after walking through persistent rain from Waitati to Puketeraki Marae on Saturday 5 April. Following pōwhiri, kai and prayers, they continued on their hīkoi, which took them to St John’s Anglican Church at Waikouaiti. Bishop Kelvin started the hīkoi on Rakiura. Bishop Kelvin will complete the journey when he reaches the northern extremity of his diocese at the Waitaki River.
Bishop Kelvin and fellow Te Harinui walkers meet David Ellison, Upoko and other Kati Huirapa ki Puketeraki members.
Whiria Kā Aho ki Puketeraki Haast haerenga
bring comfortable seating next time. We were all rewarded with a walk and beachcombing on Haast Beach at the end of the day. Back at the backpackers, everyone relaxed and looked forward to a well-earned kai at one of the local restaurants. Once back home, the prepped kiekie needed to be boiled, rinsed and hung to dry. This was done the next day. Another fun task ahead is picking what colour to dye it. Kiekie is such a special plant to work with, from the plant on the tree to the finished tukutuku panel - there is so much more than just fibres being woven together.
Once the secret spot was found we were pleased to see beautiful, long plants hanging from the trees. We knew we were in the right spot when we were ‘welcomed’ by a kōtuku. We had a kōrero about the plant, what to look for, how to harvest and how much we wanted, mindful that whatever we harvested would need to be dealt with that day. We fell into a tuakana / teina way of working so the ones who had done it before could show the novices.
Thank you to the Ngāi Tahu Fund for supporting Tō Tātou Kāi Tahutaka, Tō Tātou Whanaukataka and Tō Tātou Taiao. Nā Suzi Flack.
The long awaited trip to Te Tai Poutini to harvest kiekie for our weaving rōpū finally arrived in the new year. For some it was their first time to the other coast of Te Wai Pounamu. Most of the hard work was in the planning and luckily for us, that had been sorted by Aunty Phyllis, which meant our trip ran like a well-oiled machine. Two days were for travel, and two days to get the mahi done. The Hokitika Rūnanga and the Department of Conservation helped us with the kiekie permits.
Our rōpū of eleven, made up of tamariki, rangatahi and pakeke, made for great whakawhanaukataka. Prepping involved picking, cutting, grading, sizing, stripping, counting and tying. While all this was going on, there was time to think of the jobs ahead and discuss the adorning of the wharenui. We were blessed with amazing weather and scenery to work in and the only take home tip was to Members of the weaving rōpū gathered on the coast.
Ngā Pūmanawa at Puke
People at East Otago, and everyone else that I know. You people I meet gave me what I needed to succeed with the rhymes you read. Nobody knows where this paths gonna lead. Maybe back down memory lane, memories leaking from my brain. Thinking about back in the days when nobody knew my name, till now where you have attention to pay because my lyrics are down on a page, and you wanna hear what I have to say. Four years ago, I didn’t know which road to roll, but I’m glad I’m on the one I chose. The way I rose to show the skill I hold. Watch it unfold, making your doubts change to hope.
This month we showcase the interest and passion that some of our rangatahi around Puketeraki are getting involved with. Huriawa Tuhiraki William Parata-Ellison is 17 and attends East Otago High School. He has grown up on the pā and enjoys writing poems/raps. He has offered to share one with us. My name is Huriawa. This is for the rūnaka and Huirapa, The Ellisons and the Paratas. All others under the Kāi Tahu cover. Extended whānau, the friends and all the bros, 24