REVIEWS TE POU HERENGA WAKA O REHUA NĀ CLAIRE KAAHU WHITE TE WHATUMANAWA MAORITANGA O REHUA TRUST BOARD $40.00 + POSTAGE (ONLY AVAILABLE THROUGH REHUA MARAE) REVIEW NĀ PAULA RIGBY The long-anticipated book about Rehua is finally available. A labour of love written by Claire Kaahu White working closely with Dr Terry Ryan, the book has 16 chapters and 335 pages. If you were looking at a comprehensive story about Rehua you may be disappointed and the title is a little misleading. As the book covers not only Rehua Marae, but Māori Affairs Trade Training in Christchurch, the different hostels and key moments and people that were influential in the development of both the trade training scheme and Te Whatumanawa Maoritanga O Rehua Marae through the first 50 years.
For a historical publication it is an enjoyable read, the narrative is easy to follow and full of interesting information. It is accompanied by an amazing collection of photographs and is interwoven with anecdotes and interviews from past residents and staff not only of Rehua but the other Trade Training Hostels that were part of shaping the fabric of Christchurch city.
ME ANGA WHAKAMUA – FACING THE FUTURE NĀ JANET HETARAKA RAUA KO DIANE STOPPARD PUBLISHED BY HIHIAUA CULTURAL CENTRE TRUST, WHANGAREI 2021 RRP: $49.99 REVIEW NĀ MAATAKIWI WAKEFIELD “The ties that bind us as a people, as a nation, are woven from the threads of whakapapa, of a shared history of a vision for a brighter future.” Kawiti Waetford 2019 marked the sestercentennial (250th anniversary) of the first ‘formal’ encounters between Māori and Pākehā in Aotearoa. Under the banner of Tuia 250, a number of events were held throughout the country to mark these auspicious occasions. One such event was held at Hihiaua Cultural Centre, Whangārei where the mauri of this book was born through images captured by Diane Stoppard (Pākehā) and reflections compiled by Janet Hetaraka (Kāi Tahu, Kāti Mamoe, Waitaha). Beginning its life in 2020 as a photographic exhibition of those images and reflections, Me Anga Whakamua – Facing the Future is a beautiful immortalisation of Stoppard’s images, woven together with aspirational reflections provided to Hetaraka from a cross section of the Whangārei community. While
Paula Rigby (Paula Rigby Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāi Tūhoe, Ngāti Ruapani) is a current trustee of the Rehua Marae Trust. She is the daughter of a Rehua Old Boy who went through the Māori Affairs trade training scheme. Paula was also a trade trainee and was a resident of Te Kaihanga Hostel. Through her father’s association with Rehua, Paula grew up with the marae as part of everyday family life.
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neither woman is from Tai Tokerau, each has spent a large part of their lives within the Whangārei community. This provides each woman with a unique refreshing objectiveness with understanding which is reflected in their work. Essayists Te Warihi Hetaraka, Alison Jones and Justice Hetaraka provide insightful introductory narrations
highlighting the importance of this moment in time to Māori and Pākehā, old and young. An aspirational thread of hope and belief of growing a shared future together while remembering our shared heritage, runs throughout each of the reflections that accompany Stoppard’s striking images. While this book is based in Whangārei, Tai Tokerau, the conversation it ignites belongs to the nation – our shared future, acknowledgment of our shared heritage and unique culture. Me Anga Whakamua – Facing the Future is an easy, enjoyable read. It is an inspirational collection of aspirational reflections for
Maatakiwi Wakefield (Waitaha, Kāti Māmoe, Kāi Tahu, Ngāti Mutunga, Te Āti Awa, Ngāti Toa) Is Kaitakawaenga Māori for the Christchurch City Council Library Services, and a contractor with Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu.
