Te Hookioi Issue 55

Ko Au Taku Awa, Ko Taku Awa Ko Au Protecting Our Treaty Settlements Rights Mangatangi Marae Revamp

Ko Wai

taatou te hookioi | 55

There is a story shared by Waikato and Tuuwharetoa iwi regarding the origin and present course of our tupuna awa. It is said that Tongariro and Taupiri are siblings and when Taupiri settled where she stands today she pined for the life sustaining waters from Te Puna Nukuhau - te maataapuna o te awa o Waikato. Sensing Taupiri’s longing, Tongariro sent his mookai to carve the pathway for the waters to reach Taupiri and provide her with sustenance and life.

On 29 August 2008 Waikato-Tainui signed a Deed of Settlement with the Crown for the Waikato River acknowledging our unique relationship with our tupuna awa because just as it did and still does for Taupiri, the Waikato River continues to provide sustenance for Waikato-Tainui iwi and tangata.

celebrating 20 years since settlement | 2

In this

issue #55

07 | Ko au taku awa, ko taku awa ko au

Donna Flavell looks back on the Waikato Raupatu River Settlement journey.

11 | Raupatu Commemorative Celebrations

A visual story of the commemorative events held

in May.

13 | Freshwater Rights and Interests 14 | Protecting Our Treaty Settlement Rights

Waikato-Tainui is concerned with the

Government’s intention to circumvent the Right of First Refusal (RFR) mechanism within Treaty of Waitangi settlements in order to sell 500ha of Auckland land to private developers.

15 | Mangatangi Marae revamp

A major renovation project undertaken by

Mangatangi Marae is close to completion.

19 | Recounting the history of our veterans and conscriptee 20 | TGH award an inspiration for tribal

members Front Cover: Rza Toka-Pere, Tohehaia Matatahi and Quinny Whanake Matatahi enjoying the celebrations to mark the 20 year anniversary of the signing of our Deed of Settlement at Tuurangawaewae Marae on 22 May 2015.

Tribal Register

Are you and your whaanau registered on the Waikato-Tainui tribal register? Registering with us is now made easier as it can all be done online at waikatotainui.com. But if you prefer to fill out hard-copy registration forms then these can be downloaded from our website or give us a call and we will send out an updated registration form to you.

Please note: Waikato-Tainui tribal registration forms have been updated and only these forms are accepted for processing by our Registrations Team.

If you have any queries about tribal registrations call us on 0800 TAINUI (within NZ) or +64 7 858 0430.

EMPLOYMENT

OPPORTUNITIES

Waikato-Tainui has a dedicated website for employment and training opportunities that aim to support and further the career development of our people. Check out the latest opportunities at waikatotainuicareers. com

Opportunity to

BUY CROWN PROPERTY Waikato-Tainui receives Right of First Refusal (RFR) on crown property as part of the 1995 Waikato Raupatu Settlement. These properties are commonly houses from Housing New Zealand.

If you would like to receive notifications of houses that become available go to waikatotainui.com/housing and sign up to our email subscription.

New staff join

WAIKATO-TAINUI

Two new faces have recently joined Waikato-Tainui.

Te Puia Wirihana from Maungatautari and Pohara marae is our new front house receptionist at 4 Bryce Street in Kirikiriroa.

Papakura Kaa from Poihakena Marae has joined our Tribal Development Unit as their new administration assistant.

te hookioi | 55

Both ladies are enjoying their roles and look forward to interacting with our tribal members.

Stay connected with

WAIKATO-TAINUI

Keep up-to-date with Waikato-Tainui online as we bring you current and dynamic content to keep you informed on tribal matters, events and activities.

celebrating 20 years since settlement

He Maioha Naa Kiingi Taawhiao

te hookioi | 55

Ka maatakitaki iho au ki te riu o Waikato aanoo nei hei kapo kau ake maaku ki te kapu o taku ringa, ka whakamiri noa i toona aratau e tia nei he tupu pua hou.

I look down on the valley of Waikato, as though to hold it in the hollow of my hand and caress its beauty, like some tender verdant thing.

Kia hiwa ake au i te tihi o Pirongia, inaa, hei toronga whakaruruhau moona ki tooku tauawhirotanga.

I reach out from the top of Pirongia, as though to cover and protect its substance with my own.

Anaa! Te ngoto o toona ngawhaa i ngoona uma kiihai i aarikarika a Maungatautari, a Maungakawa, ooku puke maunga, ngaa taonga tuku iho.

See how it bursts through the full bosoms of Maungatautari and Maungakawa, hills of my inheritance.

Hoki ake nei au ki tooku awa koiora me ngoona pikonga he kura tangihia o te maataamuri.

The river of life, each curve more beautiful than the last.

E whakawhiti atu ai i te koopuu maania o Kirikiriroa, me ngoona maara kai, te ngawhaa whakatupu ake o te whenua moomona, hei kawe ki Ngaaruawaahia, te huinga o te tangata.

Across the smooth belly of Kirikiriroa, its gardens bursting with the fullness of good things, towards the meeting place at Ngaaruawaahia.

Araa, te pae haumako, hei okiokinga moo taku upoko, hei tirohanga atu maa raro i ngaa huuhaa o Taupiri.

There on the fertile mound I would rest my head, and look through the thighs of Taupiri.

Kei reira raa, kei te oroko hanganga o te tangata, waahia te tuungaroa o te whare, te whakaputanga moo te Kiingi.

There at the place of all creation‌ let the King come forth.

Source: Te Hookioi, Special Edition: Issue 27 - November 2008

celebrating 20 years since settlement

te hookioi | 55

celebrating 20 years since settlement | 8

T

hese words were spoken by Sir Robert Te Kotahi Mahuta to commemorate the signing of the Waikato Raupatu Lands Settlement in 1995 and consequently, set the wheels in motion for Waikato-Tainui to have its unique relationship with the Waikato River recognised by the Crown.

The Waikato River, among other claims, was excluded from the tribe’s initial Deed of Settlement. Donna Flavell, who was a part of the tribe’s graduate team at the time, says the river settlement would have been achieved during the original negotiations, but it didn’t hit the mark with our people.

“Settling the land claim with the government took some real guts and obviously our settlement fell short of what some of our expectations were, but the smarts that RTM had was in the mechanisms that we developed, particularly around relativity and the exclusion of the river – they were all critical factors in protecting our future.”

“As the Waikato River winds through our territory we remember how it has personified the unity, the strength and the power of our people. We pledge ourselves to further negotiate its return to us, with the dignity, the forbearance and the understanding which this current land settlement signifies.” te hookioi | 55

Donna says, “The way the Crown viewed the world was that it’s just land and so the bed of the river is all they were offering. They offered the bed to us more than a dozen times during negotiations and we’d go back to our old people and they would say ‘we don’t whakarite ourselves with mud, we whakarite ourselves with water’. For the Crown to offer just the bed just didn’t cut it.”

From the signing of our lands settlement, it took the tribe and the Crown more than a decade to reach a mutual understanding regarding the Waikato River and in 2008 a Deed of Settlement was achieved. The Deed acknowledged our unique relationship with the river, but more importantly, it ensured that we as an iwi would have input in to how the river was managed so our vision to restore its health and wellbeing could be realised.

Donna says our tribal values and tikanga played a vital role in achieving the river settlement. “We spent hours and hours literally trawling through newspapers, tapes, microfiches, microfilms and tribunal hearings, searching through anything and everything to find what was relevant to us, but the most important thing was staying true to our values and knowing our own tribal history, those were the fundamentals that set the foundation for any work we did.”

She says, “Our kaumaatua were critical when we were doing the river settlement because they knew a lot and that’s where we got a lot of our information from. One thing we did learn from RTM was to always have kaumaatua there to support you. They were there for the kaupapa and they would do anything to support the Kiingitanga and support a better future for our people because that’s what they wanted so they had the courage and the leadership to support RTM in his role in moving the tribe forward. It was about getting out of grievance mode and focusing on the future.”

Once the mandate was achieved for the tribe to advance the river settlement, Donna became claims manager and was responsible for progressing all the tribe’s outstanding claims.

The river claim at that time was the priority and so from there she started building the claims team. “We’d do all the grunt work, develop all the ideas and look at all possibilities.”

Critical to their work was also looking out beyond our immediate situation. “RTM didn’t just look at ourselves, he

would look out at the world to see what’s happening globally and he was very good at that kind of thinking so for our river settlement we did the same, we looked at other indigenous cultures but we would still push the boundaries beyond it and apply our own model which is values based.”

Donna says, “I was lucky enough to be able to start off in the early stages with the tribe and really get RTM’s vision at that point in time and so for the river settlement we kind of knew where he wanted to take it.

“He always had a vision around this entity over the river so he had already seen a co-management type model. He had already seen that the clean-up was the priority; he had already said the people were going to be involved because the river settlement was about the people.

“All of those things are pretty much consistent with what has been achieved today, it’s just a slightly different model.

So I think the challenge for us now is making sure the river settlement remains relevant for the iwi. I still look back to our lands settlement and that’s our asset base. These other settlements are really about the people.”

She says not enough can be said to express the dedication and commitment shown by the late Lady Raiha Mahuta as she too was instrumental in the tribe achieving its river settlement. “After RTM passed in 2001, Rai picked up where he left it. Together with Tuku’s political nous, and her determination, they both worked hard to fulfil his and the tribe’s aspirations.”

For Donna, a sign that the river settlement is working will

be the active participation of our people with our awa. “The health and well-being of our awa ultimately leads to better outcomes to the health and wellbeing of our people across the economic, social and cultural spectrum. We should be the ones making the decisions, setting the standards and the rules around the Waikato River because that’s our tupuna.”

She says, “That’s the challenge for the team now as they move into implementation – how do we empower our people so that they’re the ones to make the decisions and be involved in the changes that we, as an iwi, want to see happen.”

A first stepping stone towards supporting this development is the tribe’s environmental plan – Tai Tumu Tai Pari Tai Ao. “It clearly outlines our set of fundamental principles – these are our views around water, these are our views around discharge, this is our view around land and other key activities.”

Donna says, “We needed to have a position on things so that’s why the plan was really important. We needed to provide our people with information and the tools that will help them make the decisions, but at the same time maintain a consistent and united voice so no matter which one of our 68 marae is speaking or doing the mahi, we’re all saying and striving for the same thing.”

Looking ahead, Donna’s challenge to our people is simple, “By the year 2050 we have a clean and healthy awa, our people are involved in the decision making, and that our awa is alive in the sense that there’s a hub of activity everywhere, all along the stretch of it and that people – young, old, Maaori and Paakehaa – are celebrating the Waikato River and all its glory.”

celebrating 20 years since settlement | 10

This year marks 20 years since the settlement of our Treaty of Waitangi claim.

In 1995 the historic Deed of Settlement was signed and the Waikato Raupatu Claims Settlement Act was passed into legislation.

On 22 May tribal leaders, former and current Government representatives, members of the negotiating teams, invited guests and tribal members gathered at Tuurangawaewae Marae to remember, reflect, acknowledge and commemorate the Deed of Settlement signing.

Highlights of the day included speeches from former Prime Minister Rt Hon Jim Bolger, former Treaty Negotiations Minister Sir Douglas Graham and Nanaia Mahuta, the gifting of a perpetual scholarship from Ngai Tahu, launch of a commemorative booklet and brooch, and the debut performance of a commemorative waiata composed by Mootai Tangata Rau, Ngaa Pou o Roto, Te Iti Kahurangi and Te Pou o Mangataawhiri kapa haka roopuu.

te hookioi | 55

celebrating 20 years since settlement | 12

freshwater

rights and interests The debate surrounding freshwater both globally and in New Zealand, is an important kaupapa that iwi including Waikato-Tainui recognise as a critical factor if iwi are to continue development across production sectors and grow sustainable communities.

For Waikato-Tainui, raupatu and subsequent government legislation has dramatically reduced our rights to protect, use, enhance and access our waters. General perceptions that iwi are seeking to earn money from freshwater are misinformed says Julian.

“Demand for access to water is increasing, while the quality of water is declining. And although the Government has stated that no one owns water, iwi as treaty partners have an interest and therefore right to freshwater,” said Julian Williams, Waikato Tainui’s technical advisor on freshwater matters for the Iwi Leaders Group (ILG).

“We are not against development but we need to restore the balance towards protection of our waters being paramount, and use of her secondary. “

One of the key concerns he says, is the consent process to take and access freshwater. Currently, water consent holders are using water in what iwi consider “akin to ownership”. For Waikato-Tainui he adds, this goes against our position as kaitiaki and limits our abilities to exercise mana whakahaere over our tupuna awa.

“Overall the Waikato catchment is over allocated, and as a result, we are not leaving enough water in our river and streams that provide for the wellbeing of our awa. There are still a high number of water extraction applications still to be processed by the Waikato Regional Council, and if we continue on this path, the health of the awa will continue to decline.”

The ILG is made up of a number of iwi representatives from around the motu including Waikato-Tainui, Ngai Tahu, Ngaati Porou, Ngaati Kahungunu, and Tuuwharetoa. The ILG are seeking a number of rights for all iwi in direct discussion with the Government. In addition to freshwater, work streams currently being progressed by the ILG include climate change and housing.

te hookioi | 55

Over the coming months, the ILG are planning to hold hui with local government, key partners and stakeholders to improve awareness of iwi aspirations.

“We (Waikato-Tainui) have held three hui over the past eight months with our tribal members, so they can share their thoughts around rights and interests. Fortunately, a lot of the work needed to progress our rights was gathered during the Waikato River Settlement discussions from 2005 - 2009,” said Julian.

Through its Join Management Agreements, Waikato-Tainui has held discussions with many of its river partners and various local councils to make clear the tribe’s position on freshwater. The complexities surrounding freshwater mean ongoing dialogue will need to continue adds Julian.

“The term ownership is not one the tribe has ever been comfortable with. We cannot own our tupuna awa – we belong to her and she is ours to protect. So we own water in the sense that we are responsible for her health and wellbeing, this has and will always be paramount for Waikato-Tainui.”

PROTECTING OUR

TREATY SETTLEMENT RIGHTS Waikato-Tainui is concerned with the Government’s intention to circumvent the Right of First Refusal (RFR) mechanism within Treaty of Waitangi settlements in order to sell 500ha of Auckland land to private developers.

This intention by the Government is a serious issue to the tribe as it has the potential to impact our existing right to purchase Crown-owned property and on the settlement of outstanding claims, including Huakina, Manukau and Kiingitanga, explains Rahui Papa, Chairman of Te Arataura.

He says over the past few weeks this kaupapa has attracted intense media coverage and political scrutiny and, as a result, developments are happening at pace. Key developments to date are: Legal Action On Monday 15 June the tribe confirmed its intention to partner with Ngaati Whaatua ki Orakei to seek legal clarification of our individual rights under our existing settlement agreements. This decision followed comments from the Prime Minister John Key rejecting our invitation to jointly approach the courts for clarification.

• Our partnership with Ngaati Whaatua ki Orakei should not extend to other arrangements caught up in outstanding claims • Our RFR rights and interests which are distinct from Ngaati Whaatua must be protected • Regular communication and consultation with Taamaki marae is required in order to maintain the mandate for action • Increase support, advocacy and visibility by Waikato-Tainui for Taamaki interests and an understanding of the development plan for Taamaki should RFR lands be returned Hui with Minister of Housing Nick Smith Minister of Housing Nick Smith requested a private meeting with the tribe. This hui was constructive with a genuine focus on solutions and the Waikato-Tainui/Crown relationship.

Te Arataura representatives, including Rahui, Rukumoana Schaafhausen and Tuku Morgan led the tribe’s representation at this hui and they reinforced that the protection and sanctity of our RFR right is paramount and that we will take all steps necessary to preserve this right. They also reiterated the tribe’s support for the Government’s affordable housing programme.

At present, the tribe, together with Ngaati Whaatua ki Orakei, are in discussions with solicitors Russell McVeagh to determine the pathway of greatest benefit for protecting our RFR settlement rights.

The Minister acknowledged the importance of RFR to Waikato-Tainui and provided an assurance that the Government would not circumvent the RFR agreement for lands within our territory. Discussions are continuing with the Minister.

Marae Consultation Consultation hui have been held in Auckland to update Taamaki marae on this issue. Marae representatives endorsed the decision for the tribe to file a statement of claim to clarify the extent of the RFR provisions of our Treaty settlement and also expressed the following whakaaro:

Open Communication As this matter progresses, regular communication will be maintained with Taamaki marae in writing and kanohi-ki-te-kanohi with further hui also planned in the coming weeks. Regular updates will also be given on our website, waikatotainui.com

celebrating 20 years since settlement | 14

te hookioi | 55

A major renovation project undertaken by Mangatangi Marae is close to completion after the rebuild of their wharekai and kitchen facilities and the installation of an ablution block now complete.

The near decade-long renovation project is part of a wider project to upgrade all its marae facilities with the refurbishment of their wharenui still to come says Mangatangi Marae Chairman Warahi Paki.

“Our former facilities were dilapidated and it was hard pressed to keep them operating efficiently so we needed to have a strategy to bring together the community and bring together a way of cash-pulling our resources so we could have what we have today.”

Warahi says funding the project, which cost an estimated $3 million, was challenging. “We knew we were cash poor but we also knew we were getting marae grants so we put forward the idea of cash-pulling our annual dividend as well as making applications to community organisations for funding.”

With funding success, the new and upgraded facilities are all equipped with modern appliances alleviating some of the burdens they’ve faced. “Before, our kitchen was not practical and our wharekai was only small. During large gatherings like poukai we had to do three or four sittings to feed everybody.

Now, during poukai and other hui we can fit everybody in and it’s always full.”

During the project Warahi faced some other challenges, including making the tough decision to shut down the marae.

“Essentially the marae was a building site. We either had no toilets, no kitchen or nowhere to eat so we had to shut it down for a period of time to get things done.

“In hindsight though, I would probably do things a little differently but all in all we had to do what we had to do. Now, seeing our mokopuna come through the gate happy and proud to be from here makes it all worthwhile.”

So to ensure Mangatangi Marae and all its facilities are safeguarded for future generations, the marae has signed

celebrating 20 years since settlement | 16

up to the tribe’s Collective Marae Insurance Package which offers Waikato-Tainui marae full insurance cover at no cost.

The package covers marae for damage to marae buildings and contents, loss or damage to taonga or items of cultural significance, lost revenue due to interruption of commercial activities, public liability for damages to a third party or personal injury, and statutory liability.

Waikato-Tainui Marae Capital Assets Advisor Wayne Knox says the Marae Development Team is actively engaging with marae at the moment to ensure that marae whaanau are aware of the support and resources available to them from the iwi.

“We want to understand the priorities of each marae, as there are many issues common to all marae,” says Wayne. “There are opportunities to work with partners and leverage our collective purchasing power as an iwi to benefit our marae and ultimately our people.”

Meanwhile, Mangatangi Marae is also working on becoming a civil defence centre. “The idea of becoming a civil defence centre has been around for a while. We wanted to be the outreach facility in our community so we gathered our kaumaatua and whaanau at the marae and we looked at some of the possibilities that would be useful for us here and the wider community,” says Warahi.

“Other than our marae, we have community halls but unfortunately they’re not as equipped with what we have – we’ve got accommodation for sleeping, we’ve got catering facilities and that sort of stuff already here so essentially, the marae is a natural gathering place for the community to come in case of an emergency.”

The marae is also working with the Ministry of Health and Watercare on a project to install eight water tanks, ensuring the constant supply of clean water. Work to refurbish their wharenui will begin as soon as possible.

The Waikato-Tainui Communications Team is looking to profile more of our marae in upcoming issues of Te Hookioi.

So if you have an interesting story ideas regarding your marae, then let us know via email at info@tainui.co.nz and your marae story could feature in the next issue of Te Hookioi.

te hookioi | 55

The Waikato-Tainui Collective Marae Insurance Package ensures our marae are safeguarded for future generations.

Collective Marae Insurance - What does it cover?

• Marae buildings • Contents • Business interruption • Public and Statutory liability • Other assets/buildings (by agreement) What is a claim?

Claims take many different forms, including • Damages to buildings, plants and contents caused

by storm, flood, accidental or malicious damage,

fire or theft • Liability claims which are damages to third

party property, personal injury or breach of

statutory obligations. See waikatotainui.com for

more info What is the process to making a claim?

• The first response to a claim or event is to prevent

further damage, and in fact this is an insurance

policy condition • In the event of a liability claim you should not admit

liability but refer the claimant to your insurance

broker or their insurance broker, who can provide

further information on how to progress the claim • If you’re unsure, contact Willis New Zealand on

0800 474 757 or the Willis Team representatives

whose contacts are provided in the Marae

Insurance Manual Need more information?

If you have any paatai about the Waikato-Tainui Collective Marae Insurance Package please contact: Wayne Knox, Waikato-Tainui Marae Capital Assets Advisor

4 Bryce Street, Hamilton

0800 824 684

waynek@tainui.co.nz

celebrating 20 years since settlement | 18

RECOUNTING THE HISTORY OF OUR

VETERANS AND CONSCRIPTEE There is a common perception that Waikato and Maniapoto refused service when New Zealand joined the war efforts of World War I as tribal leader Princess Te Puea Herangi had influenced many of our people not to enlist.

Te Puea was following the declaration by Kiingi Taawhiao for our iwi to never raise weapons of war again after the Waikato land wars of the 1860s. However, when conscription came to the Waikato, those who resisted were arrested, sent to a military camp for training and then to war. Among them were a significant number of our tribal members whose stories are generally not well-known.

Puurekireki Marae kaumaatua Tom Roa and researcher Maehe Paki, of Te Awamaarahi Marae, went in search of these stories and have since compiled a book that recounts the history of six Waikato-Maniapoto soldiers and one conscriptee through a series of poignant and revealing interviews with their whaanau.

Maiea te Tupua follows the war service of Kohatu Hari Hemara Wahanui, Tuheka Taonui Hetet, Te Rehe Amohanga, Rotohiko Michael Jones, Joseph Ormsby, Wiremu Takoro Kohi and conscriptee, Te Rauangaanga Mahuta, the youngest brother of Kiingi Te Rata.

Tom says, “Maiea te Tupua is a collection of stories that are personal accounts of the legacy left by these soldiers. They are the whaanau’s recollections, in their own words, treasured memories the whaanau are willing to be shared widely.

“Throughout the project in publishing these accounts we regret our timing. To have been able to interview the soldiers would have been brilliant. Nevertheless we feel privileged in being able to speak with a number of children still living, and sharing also with their descendants their whaanau history.”

For Maehe she hopes the publication honours the secondhand accounts the whaanau gave. “We just hope that we

have done justice to the koorero, but more importantly, to the wairua of what was said and how it was said.”

The book, along with a DVD, was unveiled at Puurekireki Marae on ANZAC day with an exhibition – Ake, Ake, Ake – that also honours these soldiers is being held at the Te Awamutu Museum until October 2015.

QUEENS BIRTHDAY HONOURS For more than 60 years, Te Wahapu Rapana of Ngaati Tipa has selflessly dedicated his life to helping the environment and his community and in recognition of this mahi he was named in the 2015 Queen's Birthday Honours List.

Nominated by some of his friends and former colleagues, the 82-year-old was made an officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to Maaori, a fitting honour given his heavy involvement in both community and tribal causes.

Te Wahapu has been an advisor to the Huakina Development Trust and provided protocol support and cultural services to the nine marae overseen by the trust. He has also supported a number of government agencies in projects involving whitebait, noxious weed eradication, water discharges and other issues impacting plant life.

He also played a key role in the building of Oraeroa Marae in the 1970s, has supported the establishment of four Kohanga Reo and is a member of the Waikato-Tainui Kaahui Kaumaatua, Maori Wardens Association, and is a patron of Counties Maori Rugby. Tau ke e hoa!

te hookioi | 55

Koroneihana here-Turi-Kookaa 19 Kawe mate o Tainui 20 Kawe mate o te motu 21 Raa Koroneihana o Kiingi Tuheitia 22 Haakinakina, Kapa Haka 23 Haakinakina, Kapa Haka

See kiingitanga.com for more information.

An award for outstanding business leadership is not only positive recognition for a job well done; it is also valuable inspiration for future generations of Waikato-Tainui leaders.

Rahui Papa, Chairman of Te Arataura, has congratulated the board, management and staff of Tainui Group Holdings (TGH) following its recognition at the Aotearoa NZ Maaori Business Leaders Awards 2015 for Outstanding Maaori Business Leadership.

The award recognised TGHs excellence and success across four areas of business, including leadership and management, business performance, social initiatives and environment sustainability.

Rahui said the award was a proud moment for Waikato-Tainui and hoped it would motivate and inspire current and future Maaori business leaders.

“Prior to the raupatu in 1863 the people of Waikato-Tainui were active and successful business entrepreneurs, producing agricultural goods for markets both here in Aotearoa and in Australia. That was lost when the land confiscations occurred,” said Rahui.

“Since settling our raupatu claim 20 years ago we’ve taken the opportunity to rebuild and reinvest in commercial enterprise.

Over the last decade in particular TGH has successfully leveraged tribal resources to increase assets by more than $500 million. The team has done a remarkable job.”

Rahui said that Waikato-Tainui recognises business as a key area of opportunity for tribal members and has begun offering business development seminars. It was also investigating the potential to develop a business hub providing support to businesses with the strong potential for success.

“The asset base of the Maaori economy is valued at more than $36 billion. Entrepreneurship is an area of strength for Maaori and we want to encourage and support our people to be successful. We hope this award will provide inspiration for that success,” said Rahui.

KORONEIHANA SPORTS 02 Indoor Bowls

Kimiora, Tuurangwaewae Marae 09 Golf Tournament

Ngaaruawaahia Golf Club 13-15 Squash

Ngaaruawaahia Squash Club 22-23 Ki-o-Rahi, Touch, Netball, Rugby League and Rugby

Paterson Park, Ngaaruawaahia 23 Waka Ama

Riverside, Tuurangawaewae Marae To register contact: Koroneihana Sport Administrator Email: paniap@tainui.co.nz Ph: 0800 TAINUI For all other enquiries contact: Koroneihana Sport Coordinator Email: heremaias@tainui.co.nz Ph: 027 207 4021

Poukai Pipiri 14

Poohara

Here-Turi-Kookaa 31 Whaataapaka Mahuru 13 Tauranganui Whiringa-a-nuku 8 Waahi Paa 12 Mangatangi

te reo kaapuia

waananga

Te Reo Kaapuia is a waananga reo programme targeted towards Maaori medium kaiako in the Waikato that would like to enhance their teaching skills of Te Reo Maaori and knowledge of Te Reo me ngaa tikanga o Waikato.

This waananga is held at the Te Kauhanganui Chambers in Hopuhopu on Wednesday 15 July 2015 from 9am- 5pm.

Go to waikatotainui.com/tribal-paanui to register or for more info. Registrations close Monday 6 July. celebrating 20 years since settlement | 20

Scholarship Offers Oriental Experience Tu Tama Raa Lights, Camera, Action!

The Bund

re

n squa Tianmia

Tiananm

en Squa

re

The Forbidden City

e

r en Squa

Tiananm

facebook.com/Waikato.Te.Iwi

Group selfie Great Wa

ll of Chin

a

Sada Charlie got a crash course in all things Chinese following a six-week cultural exchange to China.

Sada, of Waingaro and Taupiri marae, was one of 18 University of Waikato students selected to experience top education institutions in China as part of the Prime Minister’s Scholarship for Asia. The scholarship aims to give undergraduate and postgraduate students the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of Asia.

“To be honest, when I was first approached about the scholarship I was a little bit hesitant about it, but I knew it was a once in a lifetime opportunity that would be silly to pass up,” says Sada, who’s in her final year of a Master of Management Studies degree at Waikato University.

As part of her exchange, Sada spent three days a week learning Mandarin followed by opportunities to explore and experience all that China had to offer. “China is such an amazing place and it is very different to here. Everything is small and compact or really big, and the people there are really short.

“So in the smaller towns we were like celebrities because we looked so different to everyone else, but once we got in to the major towns or cities like Shanghai or Beijing we just blended in like everyone else because there are foreigners everywhere.”

The 23 year-old says, “There are some similarities between us though, particularly in the way they manaaki their guests. We were treated like royalty over there and I see that similarity with how we as Maaori manaaki our manuwhiri.”

Sada admits that before she left she didn’t think she would like China all that much. “I didn’t know what I was getting myself into because I had no idea what to expect but I went over there with the attitude that whatever happens, happens.”

Turns out she had the right attitude because she loved her time in China. “It was one of the best experiences I have ever had. I was fortunate enough to experience the Great Wall of China, the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Buddha temples, and the Bund in Shanghai.”

But the biggest highlight for her was the opportunity to experience Chinese culture. “The people are amazing and the food is so different compared to what we eat here. Even the Chinese food we get here is way different to what you get over there, but best of all was just being able to observe and take in genuine Chinese culture.”

She says although brief, her time in China was a great opportunity to experience a different culture and add to her knowledge base.

celebrating 20 years since settlement

A digital game developed by Waikato-Tainui

River Rush is a fun and innovative learning tool for the whole whaanau!

Follow the journey of Tama and Poppy as they navigate their way along the Waikato River completing a series of quests set by their Nanny Wai to help restore the river’s health and well-being.

Search the Apple AppStore or Google Play for ‘River Rush’ and download it free today.

facebook.com/Waikato.Te.Iwi

Ngaa Taiaatea Wharekura

Tuu Tama Raa

Te Maurea Whiritoi

Four teams will represent Tainui Waka at the National Secondary Schools Kapa Haka Competition to be held in Hastings next year.

Te Wharekura o Raakaumanga, Te Wharekura o Ngaa Taiaatea, Tai Waananga and Te Maurea Whiritoi won the top places, with overall winner going to Ngaa Taiaatea.

Held at the Claudelands Event Centre in Kirikiriroa in May, the Tainui regional competition saw 10 groups from 12 schools go head-to-head with newly-established school Tai Waananga the competitions new faces.

The theme for this year’s competition was Tuu Tama Raa, which means to stand strong and true, explains Tainui Teachers’ Association Event Organiser Toti West. “It is a celebration, a reminder that it is great to be Tainui, it is great to be Maaori, it is great to haka and to koorero Maaori, and to wear all of that with pride.”

Tai Waananga

Te Wharekura o Raakaumanga

Aaki-aakina NCEA Maths Waananga Waikato-Tainui is sponsoring an NCEA Maths waananga for students who need credits in NCEA Maths Level Two and Three external standards for their chosen education pathway.

Learning sessions will be facilitated by expert tutors.

All kai and resources will be provided!

Makaurau Marae, Auckland, Thursday 9 July, 10am - 7.30pm Waahi Paa, Huntly, Friday 10 July, 9.30am - 4.30pm For more information please contact Kimai via email: kimaih@tainui.co.nz or click on the link below to apply.

celebrating 20 years since settlement

facebook.com/Waikato.Te.Iwi

At seven-years-old twin brothers Kaperiera and Mikaera Bristowe-Hoeta of Ngaati Tahinga are taking the New Zealand acting scene by storm appearing in various television programmes and commercials.

Their somewhat instant acting career has come unexpectedly says mum Ayla, “It started when they were quite young. They were so good at singing and dancing, I started videoing them a lot and posting my favourites on social media. People quickly recognised their talent and my boys got popular from there.

“A couple of their videos were shared on Aotearoa’s Most Talented Facebook page, and then shared again by hundreds of other people. Then someone referred them to audition for an ad promoting KFC.” Turns out, the boys were a hit in the KFC ads and so much so Ayla decided to sign them up to an agency.

“They’ve been invited to several auditions and other people have been asking me for their portfolios and offering them acting work.”

The brothers’ popularity has grown since starting out in acting last year. Already they’ve featured in television ads promoting the New Zealand Comedy Gala on TV3, the Pūkoro children’s series on Māori Television, and various other promotional features.

Their natural acting talent is matched with their passion for singing and performing which means they’re not ones to be deterred from having to do auditions or being filmed for nationwide television. “It’s fun and exciting and pretty cool,” says Kaperiera.

His sentiment is shared by brother Mikaera, who also says, “Sometimes I feel shy and nervous, but most of the time I’m really happy. For KFC we got to eat some chips and some chicken which was cool and yum too.”

Other perks of being young actors include meeting famous people too. Jono Pryor and Ben Boyce from TV3s Jono & Ben, and the man behind the critically acclaimed short film Two Cars, One Night and feature-length movie Boy, Taika Waititi, are just some of the people the pair has met in the industry.

But when asked what they like most about acting, famous people and yummy food aside, both budding actors agreed – “It’s cool!”

So are the boys keen to be actors when they grow up, well they’re not sure yet as a career playing basketball is looking more attractive for the pair, but what is for certain both Kaperiera and Mikaera are having fun acting now and mum Ayla is right behind the young stars all the way. celebrating 20 years since settlement