Te Ripoata o te Tumuaki

Te Rīpoata o te Tumuaki o Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa

Tuatahi, ko te tuku whakawhetai ki a Ihoa o nga mano, mo āna manaakitanga ki runga i a tātou. Kei nga mate, koutou kua haohia e te kupenga a Taramainuku i roto i te tau, kua pahure, haere atu , okioki mai i roto i te Ariki. Ngāti Awa ki te rangi, Ngāti Awa ki te whenua; ‘ko Ngāti Awa te toki tē tangatanga i te rā, tē ngohengohe i te wai, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou tēnā tātou katoa. Meri Hepi, representative Tuariki sadly passed away in December 2020. Meri Hepi was a long serving representative of Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa, and over the years contributed to various issues for the hapū especially if it involved the Rangitaiki rohe. Meri was a dedicated representative who had a quiet and humble nature but when required spoke her mind on issues she was passionate about. Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa mourn Meri’s passing with her whānau and friends.

Reflecting back on our 2020/2021, we have seen a lot of change and growth at Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa. From the many projects which have provided employment, cultural learnings, and business opportunities, to defending our Ngāti Awa boundaries and cultural values through court hearings and legal proceedings. Whatever the platform, we hope to have been devoted stewards in our role to defend, advocate, and progress the aspirations and values of our people. Coming together when the situation necessitates unity continues to be our strength, enabling us to move forward as the toki whose bindings cannot be loosened by the sun, nor softened by the rain. Coming together and showing manaakitanga has been something that Ngāti Awa has become well known internationally as witnessed during the remembrance of the anniversary of the Whakaari eruption, 9 December 2020. The day will always be remembered and we will always give thanks to the many people, businesses and emergency response teams who lent their support in a multitude of ways and to the exceptional and dedicated medical teams from around the motu and internationally, whose intense and dedicated work with survivors continued over many, many months. The same sentiment applies when we consider the situation before us and the impending threat COVID-19 poses to our whānau and to our whakapapa. Coming together in unity to overcome the crisis at hand is not only our only option, but the option that comes most naturally to us as revealed in our stories and histories. Therefore, we implore you, as a member of this Iwi, as a member of your community, as a mokopuna, and as a tupuna, to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and to do your part to keep our whānau safe. Our whakapapa is our most precious taonga, of which we derive our identity, purpose, and connection. In all that Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa seeks to achieve, protecting our whakapapa and connection to each other and to this land, is most central. We will continue to deal with the various activities, challenges, and opporutnities in the years ahead as steadfastly as we can. We remain here, it is our home, it is our history, it is our future.

In closing, I want to thank the Ngāti Awa Group Holdings Ltd Directors, Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa Trustees and Committee members for your ongoing commitment and dedication. I would also like to give special thanks to our Manahautū and team for all the tireless mahi they do, without them we would not be able to accomplish all the work we have in front of us.

Mā te Atua tātau e manaaki e tiaki ngā wā katoa

Naaku noa JOE HARAWIRA

“Mā te ngaruru ō ngā whenua maru ō Ngāti Awa, ka noho momoho nga taonga koiora, taonga tuku iho, he oranga whānui mō ngā whakatipuranga.

As the lands of Ngāti Awa flourish, opportunities abound for future generations ”to enjoy their unique ecological, environmental and cultural uniqueness.