Kāti Huirapa Rūnaka ki Puketeraki

Coastal People: Southern Skies Inaugural Symposium Ōtepoti 2023

The inaugural symposium of the Centre of Research Excellence (CoRE) Coastal People: Southern Skies (CPSS) took place in Ōtepoti/Dunedin on Thursday 11 May. Hosted by the University of Otago, the one-day symposium was held at Tūhura Otago Museum and attended by over 100 reseachers, community partners, students, hapū/iwi members, government officials and members of the public. This was the first chance to share widely the CoRE’s mahi since its inception almost two years ago. One of the highlights of the day was hearing from the five coastal communities that are the community anchor sites of CPSS. In a panel discussion each of the five communities talked about the mahi they are involved with, the contemporary issues facing them and how they envision the research sector contributing to their mauri ora. Feedback from the day has been overwhelmingly positive with many commenting on just how powerful it was to hear directly from community members about the projects underway in their communities. Representatives from the funder (Tertiary Education Commission) were present and expressed their admiration for the community integration into the research programme; they recognised the opportunities that are being created within the community projects for capability building. The link to watch the symposium is available through the CPSS website symposium page: https://cpss.org.nz/cpss-symposium-2023/

ANZAC Day Service

Whānau gathered at the Karitāne memorial gates to lay a wreath in remembrance of those who had fought in the World Wars and subsequent international armed conflicts, especially those who had given their lives. An informal time of sharing memories as school children, whānau stories, and first-hand experiences during the Vietnam war, was moving and insightful. For the first time the ANZAC Poppy bowl crafted by Jimmy Gordon with the pounamu gifted by Ngāti Waewae had pride of place at the ceremony. The Paterson whānau gathered for the unveiling of Rawe Paterson’s headstone.

laying.

Hikaroroa te mauka!

On Sunday 21st May, George Meikle, Joe Taurima, Ngahuia Wood, Robert Sullivan, Moewai Rauputi Marsh and Angelina Young, blessed with perfect weather, reached the top of Hikaroroa.

The mountain was lofty, and we did indeed stumble. We crawled, clawed, fell, and were delivered, humbled.

Waiata to Hikaroroa composed by Waiariki Parata-Taiapa

Ko Puketeraki tū mai rā

Ka huri ki kā mauka e tū atu nei tū te ao, tū te pō hei pou mō tātou katoa ko Hikaroroa, Pahatea, Ka Iwi a Weka

Ko Puketeraki

Tū mai rā

Karaka rā ki kā waka haere mai kūmea mai (tōtōia) tōtōia mai kā waka o te motu nei ko Hikaroroa, Pahatea, Ka Iwi a Weka

Ko Puketeraki

Tū mai rā

Pounamu Heke to Dart awa, Tāhuna and Glenorchy takiwā 31st March – 2nd April

17 whanau travelled to Tāhuna/Queenstown from Puketeraki, and others joined us meeting at Glenorchy Outdoor Lodge. We had time to see one of the five Te Korokā Pounamu boulders installed at Queenstown in the Kāi Tahu Precinct. Arriving at the lodge to a massive kai and settling in time. Joining the whānau were DOC kaimahi Richard Kennett, Matt Schmitt and David Butt. Also, whanauka Steve Bryant with his experience of the terrain, and Geologist Simon Cox, both of whom shared their stories of the area from their respective mahi highlighting caves, pounamu deposits and experience of the whenua and awa. We began with David’s kōrero on the Takahē release project to the Green Stone Valley. Matt talked about the taoka found on the football grounds in the village of Glenorchy and the village sites of Tīpuna. The Kāi Tahu Jet boat tours took us up the Dart River and spoke to the landscape pointing out glaciers and areas of interest, concluding with a kai at the local hotel that night.

Sunday’s kōrero was presented by Simon; he explained the Te Korokā site used by tīpuna as a factory. We learnt about the geological make up, both legally and environmentally with the need to preserve the area because of its uniqueness. Matt Schmidt took the opportunity to return a taoka which was a moa bone fishhook. We travelled to Sugar Loaf awa for a look at the diversity of the Pounamu that was in the river and a chance to “get our eye in and recognise pounamu in its raw state.” We visited Ngāi Tahu owned Routeburn Station for a BBQ and a kōrero from Stuart and Ann, whānau describing the lifestyle difficulties and splendour of the whenua and area. On return we stopped at Scott’s Creek for another look for pounamu which was a little more difficult although some was gathered.

Pekapeka Bat Study

Jade Watkin graduated from Otago University in 2021, with a Bachelor of Science in Zoology and Psychology, and is currently doing her Masters on various species of native bats. Jade did her undergraduate work on Pekapeka/Long-tailed bats in Te Ika a Māui, but is now focusing on studying all Pekapeka species through a mātauraka Māori lens, so anyone who has an interest in this area is encouraged to join and share any observations or knowledge they may have on this topic.

Contact: Jade Watkin; whitesparkey@gmail.com