Ōraka Aparima Rūnaka

Tēnā tātou e te whānau

We hope that you had an enjoyable Easter break and that you were able to spend some time with whānau over this period.

If you have enjoyed a birthday in the last month or have new additions to your whānau, congratulations and here is wishing you all good health and prosperity for the year ahead.

Greenstone Caples Hīkoi Thursday 23 March to Sunday 26 March 2023

Track Direction – Mid Caples Hut-McKellar HutGreenstone Hut – 60km

Lucy Coulston

Pictured is Lucy Coulston who has just graduated from the University of Canterbury with a Bachelor of Science degree. Lucy is now studying towards an honour’s degree in Environmental Science with a goal to continuing on to her Masters.

I was privileged to be able to join this hīkoi as a representative of Ōraka Aparima rūnaka along with five Department of Conservation (DOC) representatives and representatives from Moeraki, Puketeraki, Ōtākou, Southern Lake Sanctuary and Southern Lakes NZ Deer Stalkers Association.

DOC is planning to release takahē into the Greenstone Valley in the Whakatipu district in late August-September 2023. They are planning to start slowly and release six takahē first and if things go well up to 50 takahē will eventually be released in the area.

Rarotoka working trips

Over the last few months, we have had a couple of volunteers working trips to the Island. The focus of these trips has been primarily around the preparation and painting of the houses. This mahi has been identified as a priority within our work plan for the island. To date we have had a small and dedicated team who have been working away at this mahi. A huge thank you for your dedication and time with this task. If you’d like to volunteer to help on any of these trips, please contact us here at the office for further information.

Rarotoka Karanga Wānanga 17 – 19 March

With funding assistance from Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu executive members Tracey and Karina worked to organise the first in a series of Ōraka Aparima Rūnaka, karanga wānanga. Enrolment forms were constructed seeking interest and 15 members of Ōraka Aparima Rūnaka responded, coming from as far afield as the West Coast, Christchurch, and several from Dunedin.

Kaumātua kaiako Rangimaria Suddaby and Marcia Te-Au Thomson reviewed the enrolments and selected the first wānanga participants based on ability to support our marae. All enrolments received confirmation and follow up regarding this first wānanga.

Learning content focused on the following:

Wānanga Part One: Facilitated by Rangimaria Suddaby

• What is the purpose of karanga?

• Why is it the first voice?

• Karanga and tikanga – what do we need to be mindful of?

• Etiquette and behaviour of kaikaranga

Wānanga Part Two: Facilitated by Marcia Te Au Thomson

Various karanga and their purposes:

• Karanga Hui Ora – formal welcome for the living

• Karanga Wānanga – Karanga for a learning forum

• Karanga Waka ki Uta – Karanga for calling an ocean waka ashore

• Karanga Mate – Karanga in gatherings for the deceased

Wānanga Part 3: Practice and Critique facilitated by Rangimaria and Marcia

• Break into pairs and practice outside calling.

We also completed a creative exercise designed to strengthen our connection to the whenua and enhance our ability to call to our sacred place names. Participants received work folders and books on karanga. All costs, food, choppers etc. were covered by the fund.

Our kaiako were exacting taskmasters and we followed our learning agenda to the letter. We learnt the important elements of karanga, our landscape place names, our ability to call to our Atua, practice whakataukī and learnt to assess the use and pitch of our own voices. We practiced in pairs and alongside our kaiako –it was hearty and uplifting.

The weather was perfect. The houses were well appointed, clean, and tidy and well resourced. Unfortunately, the gator was not available (due to a gear issue). It was disappointing having a fine piece of kit (brand new almost) sitting there and we couldn’t support kaumātua up the hill etc. There was no evidence of predators and every evidence and sighting of bird life.

Seven wāhine were trained and in the spirit of succession – tauira aged in range from 17 to 79 years of age.

Moving Forward

A wash up of expenditure is yet to occur but we have funds to support another three wānanga.

Having the first one on the island was pivotal for the participants. It is a tīpuna tūrangawaewae space, an outstanding wānanga environment and supported karanga when considering our landscape and place names plus the kōrero on future needs.

We can open this up to a larger group, but it is the view of those who attended the first wānanga that we continue to measure the ability of those interested in learning, by how much they can commit to supporting our marae – a participation pre-requisite.

Food for thought.

Mā te mārama ka oho mauri

By the light comes and awakening of the spirit.

Te Pānui Rūnaka Submissions

We welcome your submissions for this pānui. Please feel free to send anything you’d like to share with us. Whether this be whānau achievements, sports, education, or anything else of interest.

Please make a caption for your photos (photos should be in jpeg format) and name the people in the photos.

Please send all submissions to: office@orakaaparima.org.nz

Holiday Home in Te Anau

Did you know that we have a comfortable house for whānau to rent within the township of Te Anau? This property sleeps eight and is located in the heart of the town. It is within walking distance of all amenities and only a short distance from many of the tourist opportunities the region has to offer. Please contact the office for further details or to make a booking. Please note also that this is property is used by whānau and as such should not be treated like a motel. You will be required to leave the place clean and tidy for the next person on departure.