Special mihi
Proud grandparents Theresa and Barry Rooney ould like to welcome their handsome third grandson, Lennox Makoha Rooney to the world. Lennox was born on 16 October at 4:44am weighing 3.57kgs at The Royal Women’s Hospital Melbourne, Australia. Congratulations to parents Ryan Rooney and J’amie Wright.
Hīkoi Waewae would like to thank Te Pūtahitanga and Tū Maia for inviting us to attend the Te Pāpori o Whakatere Accelerator Programme held at The University of Canterbury over the past 10 weeks. The learning, knowledge and information we gained has propelled Hīkoi Waewae to a whole new level and set us on a positive and sustainable path for the future. Thank you also for the awhi, tautoko, manaaki, whanaungatanga and aroha shown to us on this journey. We appreciate all you have helped us to achieve. Ngā mihi aroha, Rauhine Coakley and Jah-vana Lilley.
Lennox Makoha Rooney with his proud Mum, J’amie Wright.
Kaitoko Mātauranga for Ngāti Waewae
Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Waewae would like to introduce Shanita Mason, our Kaitoko Mātauranga for Ngāti Waewae – another staff member to add to our growing team at Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Waewae. This position is supported by Ngāi Tahu and co-located at Arahura Marae. Shanita will be working with whānau to help ensure they know their rights in regards to the obligations of schools within the Ngāti Waewae takiwā. The role is also about working with schools within the takiwā to ensure they understand the expectations of Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Waewae and implement the Ngāti Waewae education strategy objectives, and to work with relevant others to ensure they are aware of the expectations and aspirations of Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Waewae. An exciting new position with an awesome kaupapa! Congratulations Shanita.
On 5 November māma and pāpa – Sarah De Bono and Zak Mason, were delighted and proud to welcome their beautiful daughter Serenity Gemma Tupou Mason to the world – 6lbs 7oz, born at The Royal Women’s Hospital, tMelbourne, Australia. Proud grandparents David John Mason, Tina Curry, Giannina Gemma De Bono and Paul De Bono. Sarah De Bono (mum), Zak Mason (dad) with their new baby daughter Serenity.
Marae events
like to take this time to thank our awesome kaiako and kaimahi who made this wānanga a great success – the Kotahi Mano Kāika team; Victoria Campbell, Paulette Tamati-Eliffe and Darren Solomon and kaikako, kaimahi, Hinerangi Barr, Ariana Stevens and Teena Henderson. Ngā mihi nunui ki a koutou.
This past month has been just as busy as other months, with the following events being held on our marae. Hīkoi Waewae held another successful wānanga on 19 November, with a few hīkoi along the tracks of Cobden and Māwhera, while they collected from the ngahere to make their own kawakawa balm to take home with them. Whilst this wānanga was on, we also had our whare iti setup for the live stream of Ngāi Tahu Hui-āTau with kaumātua, tamariki and rangatahi gathering to watch.
A contingent of Year 10 students from Greymouth High School visited the marae from 29 - 30 November. This was their social studies class, where they have been studying the Treaty of Waitangi, and also learning about the tangata whenua of Te Tai Poutini. It was a great time spent with the tamariki of this kura. We all shared kōrero about whakapapa, pounamu, and Māori legends of Te Tai Poutini and shared waiata.
The Department of Conservation (DOC) held their annual conference on the marae from 21-23 November, which was a great success. They all loved being on the marae to have their hui, along with building on the relationships they have with mana whenua.
We have had some great hui and wānanga over this past month with more yet to come before the year is finished. We love having our marae and are still thoroughly enjoying it two years running. It’s great seeing it so busy.
Karoro School in Greymouth stayed on the marae on 24-25 November. They were such great tamariki and thoroughly enjoyed all the tū meke kōrero Aunty Horiana Tootell and Te Rua Mason gave them – especially their hīkoi on the Arahura awa. When it came to poroporoaki each and every tamariki stood and thanked the hau kāinga but in particular Aunty Jo (Horiana) – they even called her “Aunty Jo”. We thought this was beautiful.
Rūnanga business
Rūnanga hui every second Sunday of each month 11am3pm. Enquires to Te Tari o Arahura phone: 03 755 6451 or email: admin@ngatiwaewae.org.nz. We welcome contributions from whānau for Te Pānui Rūnaka, so please tell us your stories by sending any news and photos to Hamiria at admin@ngatiwaewae.org.nz or phone 03 755 6451. Or visit the tari anytime. Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou katoa.
Kia Kūrapa ki Arahura was the first time Kia Kūrapa has taken place in Arahura. A fantastic kaupapa. We would 4