Awarua Rūnaka

Gifting of Adze to Te Rūnaka o Awarua

Recently our Chairperson Dean Whaanga received a very large toki from Shirley Calvert. The toki had been handed down through her whānau. The Calvert whānau have a close connection to the Acker and Mere Pii whānau which Dean has whakapapa to. Shirley’s tūpuna were Daniel Kingsland and his son John who married twice, his first wife was Maria Acker, and his second wife was from the Fairburn family from which Shirley descends.

The Kingsland family were bakers in Invercargill – a well-known brand of theirs was Pūkaki. They also were collectors of Māori memorabilia. Shirley was very pleased the toki will be on a display at the marae and enjoyed by all like they have over the years. Dean says, “We are grateful to have been gifted the toki which not only shows the link to tūpuna but to a joint family relationship.” The toki appears to have been made from stone from the Bluff Harbour.

Te Kōawa Tūroa o Takitimu

This is a culturally significant venue in the beautiful Jericho Valley (approximately 40 kms from Te Anau) with facilities to sleep 20 plus people. There are excellent opportunities for biking, walking, hunting, and fishing in the local area. Contact us here at the office for details.

Membership

You are probably reading this pānui because you or a whānau member are registered with Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu. Do you know that each Papatipu rūnanga exercise rangatiratanga in respect of their membership? Some automatically add you to their list as soon as you register with Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, while others like us, run a separate registration process. Please note that in all cases it will be necessary to authenticate your whakapapa details. You can contact us here on 03 234 8192 or office@orakaaparima.org.nz if you would like to register or have any questions at all about our membership process.

Kaumātua Units First Tenant

Mr Brian Payne is the first kaumātua to move into one our new kaumātua units. Meriani Pile had the privilege of interviewing Mr Payne, with three of his daughters Trish Kerr, Bec Foggo and Jan Ryan. Unfortunately, Mary Kapene and Duncan Payne were unable to meet with us.

Entering the unit, was lovely, warm and very welcoming. Gina Ryan (staff) and Saird Ferguson (granddaughter-inlaw of Mr Payne) came along for the interview.

How do you feel being the first person to move into one of these units?

“I feel privileged to have been chosen and to be the first one to move into one of the six units. I moved into this unit on 20 April. I had been in my family home for 70 years and this home was built by Billum(William) and Lena Spencer in the late 1930s, my wife Maureen’s parents.”

What made you decide it was time to move from the family home?

“It was all the steps and not being able to get out and around the garden anymore.”

Did you find it hard to make the decision to move?

“No, it was not a hard decision at all, I was ready to move. If I was asked a year ago, I would have said no.”

Did your whānau support you with your decision to move?

“Yes, my whānau fully supported my decision to move.”

Brian and his whānau are pleased he is away from all the steps at the family home as they limited what he could do.

Kaumātua Housing Te Rūnaka o Awarua

A message from Corey Bragg: Kia ora whānau, we still have kaumātua units available in Bluff.

If you’d like to receive information about these units, please contact me on 027 302 3620 or email: corey.bragg@awaruarunaka.iw.nz

Korowai Wānanga

Te Rau Aroha Marae hold Korowai Wānanga every month where anyone can attend and learn the skilful art of making a korowai by Helen Wilson. They start with a pēpi korowai then can move on to make a whānau korowai. If you are interested, please email the office: office@awaruarunaka.iwi.nz

Office News

Office hours are 8.30am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday. Office Phone: 032128652

Office email: office@awaruarunaka.iwi.nz

Bec, Trish and Jan all feel at ease knowing Brian is in a place where they know he will be safe. The units are well set up for people with limited mobility.

What do you like the most about living here?

“I like everything, everything is set out well in the unit and has everything I need. The unit is just perfect and the right size, I have lots of family around, they come in to visit me. The veranda area is a good area. The view and being able to see the fishing boats going out and in as well as the ships is a bonus.”

Do you find the unit warm?

“Yes, I do, it has good heating.”

What do you feel could be changed here to make it better?

“I would like some neighbours.”

Registered Members

Remember if you have registered with Ngāi Tahu and you whakapapa back to Awarua, you still need to contact the office to register with us, email: office@awaruarunaka.iwi.nz.

Please email the office if you are not receiving emails from us. Perhaps you have changed your email address since becoming a registered member and have not updated these details with us. If you have moved houses or changed your contact number, you can email the details and we will update these too.

New Zealand Police Academy Graduation Tierney Horler

On 30 March, Michael and Aarnon Horler proudly celebrated the graduation of their son, Tierney Taituha Hape Horler, from the NZ Police Academy in Wellington.

Tierney’s whakapapa lines through Louise Fowler (Tāua), of Bluff, are Rakiamoa, Ngāi Tūāhuriri and Ruahikihiki, and Ngā Puhi from his dad.

Tierney was awarded the firearms award for his wing, excelling in his skills, drills, and discipline amongst the 59 other recruits. Tierney spent five months in training at the Royal New Zealand Police college and is now stationed in Invercargill. At his graduation he proudly wore the korowai from his marae, Te Rau Aroha, Bluff. Tierney was in charge of organising and teaching the Police haka, taking on the role of leading and gathering the Wing’s 60 graduates to rally together before the haka following the presentations.

Tierney hopes to pursue Search and Rescue work as a speciality and to work amongst the community to be a role model for tamariki. He says, “It’s hard mahi at times but it’s so rewarding seeing the difference we can make and seeing the relief in faces when we arrive. To anyone who is sitting on the fence about joining, do.”

Right: Tierney with his parents and older brother, Anderson.