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Trans-Tasman Bar Conference 2024
Attendees at the recent New Zealand Bar Association | Ngā Ahorangi Motuhake o Te Ture and Australian Bar Association Trans-Tasman Bar Conference were honoured to be formally welcomed to Tāhuna Queenstown by representatives of two Kāi Tahu Papatipu RūnangaŌraka Aparima and Hokonui. Ngā mihi rawa atu ki a Matu Coleman Clarke, rātou ko Jana Davis, ko Jo Brand, ko Emily Chirnside, ko Arne Burgess, ko Rewi Davis.
Matu Coleman-Clarke opened proceedings with a beautiful karakia tīmatanga. Jana Davis’ mihi on behalf of mana whenua included an explanation of the surrounding environment and its significance to Kāi Tahu. Following the waiata kīnaki from mana whenua, NZBA Council member, Gowan Duff, replied on behalf of manuhiri. Gowan’s stirring mihi whakahoki included a heartfelt mihi to the recently departed Douglas Ewen KC. Gowan ended with a whakataukī which reflected back mana whenua’s mihi on the significance of the environment: Whatungarongaro te tangata, toitū te whenua (As man disappears from sight; the land remains).
The mihi on behalf of manuhiri was supported by a rousing rendition of Hirini Melbourne’s waiata, Purea Nei, sung by NZBA Council members (past and present), and many of the conference attendees – including a number of our Australian colleagues. Ngā mihi rawa atu ki a Annette Sykes rātou ko Te Ringahuia Hata, ko Natalie Coates, ko Bernadette Roka Arapere mā for standing with NZBA Council members to sing – and in Annette’s case for leading the waiata tautoko .
The mihi whakatau was completed with hongi, hariru and the sharing of kai between representatives of manuhiri and mana whenua.
The mihi whakatau not only allowed us to be welcomed to the area by mana whenua, it also set the scene for the rest of the conference. NZBA takes seriously the significance of connecting with mana whenua before all our conferences and to ensure our part in a mihi whakatau ceremony is tika in accordance with the tīkanga of mana whenua. The importance of the mihi whakatau, and the use of reo Māori throughout this year’s conference generally, was commended by attendees, including many of our Australian colleagues.
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