Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Waewae Kia ora Kāi Tahu whānau ngā mihi ki a koutou katoa. I’m so excited it’s September – roll on the whitebaiting. I can’t wait for whānau to gather around a hot-pot of kai, waiting for these little fish to flow into our nets. Let’s hope they come in abundance for all of us – merry whitebait season whānau.
Rā whānau
Chantal Tumahai, Terita Mason, El-Alamein Meihana Whittle, Kaleshea Tauwhare, Marlon Price, Chris Lewis, Kereopa Ria, Irai Weepu, Mikayla Tumahai, Kupe Tauwhare, Tania Tauwhare, James Campbell, Moana Lee, Tamaki Tumahai, Chelsea Meihana, Awatea Tauwhare, Tina Weepu, Maighdlin Hinekoau Jones, Miriama Johnsen, Miriam Downs, Hector Tainui, Ariana Stevens, George Read, Marina Russell, India Lilly Campbell, Polly Mei Campbell. To everyone who has had a birthday this month and their names aren’t above I apologise but we have not been given your names. We hope you all had a wonderful day and wish you all the best.
He pēpi
Congratulations to David Mason and Gemma Trezise on the arrival of their new baby taonga, Tuhuru William Trezise-Mason. Tuhuru was delivered by his pāpā at Greymouth Hospital on 14 August weighing 8lb 9oz and 57cm in length. Goodbye tummy – hello mummy (and pāpā). May your little bundle of joy bring you more happiness.
Wishing you a future filled with love, joy and laughter. Parenthood is one of the best journeys in life, we hope you enjoy the ride. Get ready for mud, big trucks, slingshots, a never-ending appetite, skinned-knees, and action figures. May your new little one grow strong, healthy and wise. Wishing you all the best. Aunty loves you Tuhuru xoxo.
Tuhuru in the arms of his pāpā, David Mason.
Tuhuru William Trezise-Mason.
Hīkoi Waewae launch
We had a presentation by Tim Shaw from the Department of Conservation, which covered health and safety, appropriate clothing and footwear, recommended gear list, informative websites, river crossing information and other helpful tips.
Hīkoi Waewae is a walking/hiking/tramping rōpū based in Te Tai Poutini.
Aunty Horiana Tootell taught us a waiata about home and also contains the names of some of our different types of pounamu. Included in our itinerary was a planning session for the Hīkoi Waewae rōpū. We dreamt together and pulled some dreams into the bubble, then worked out the steps we need to make along the way to ensure we achieve our goals.
On Saturday 27 August we launched ‘Hīkoi Waewae’ at Arahura Marae. It was well-attended with over 40 whānau present to support the kaupapa throughout the course of the day.
During our hīkoi we will be learning mātauranga Māori including whakapapa, tikanga, karakia, te reo, ngā hua o te ngahere, and mihi pepeha. We have incorporated the following values into our kaupapa. Whanaungatanga, Kaitiakitanga, Kotahitanga and Whānau Ora.
Our funder, Te Pūtahitanga were represented by Trisha Harrison-Hunt who gave an informative kōrero about the current funding rounds and the role of Te Pūtahitanga in Te Waipounamu. In the evening we were held spell-bound by kōrero about our Whare Whakairo (Tuhuru), whakapapa and history of Te Tai Poutini which was presented to us by Jerry Pu and Caleb Robinson. We also enjoyed delicious kai prepared for us by Miriama Johnsen and Miriam Downs.
Our aim is to reconnect with our whenua by walking in the footsteps of our tūpuna. To regain a sense of connection and belonging. Experience wellbeing through fitness and spending time in our natural environment, breathing clean fresh air and disconnecting from technology. 3