Te Rūnanga o Makaawhio

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Rātou ki ā rātou, tātou anō ki a tātou. Tēnā anō tātou katoa!

Kia ora e te whānau, it has been a busy few months with a couple of whanaukataka events on the go, Waitangi Day, rūnanga meetings and our annual whānau picnic. The weather was touch and go for our Waitangi celebrations, but we had a fabulous warm fine day for our whānau picnic.

Pēpi Hou

Nau mai e te pēpi hou, e te uri o Kāti Mahaki ko Tiniura Tutoko Ka Heke Ka Whā tōna ikoa. Ko Ashlea Dee Williams tōna māmā nō Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Rangitihi, Ngāti Tinomana ki Rarotonga hoki. Ko Kahurangi Mataroa Parāoa Wilson Mahuika tōna pāpā nō Poutini Kāi Tahu me Ngāti Porou.

We are thrilled to announce the safe arrival of pēpi number two for Ashlea and Kahuraki and big brother for Whaiariki. Tiniura entered the world on 15 February, weighing in at 8lbs 6oz. Delivered by his māmā and pāpā, and watched over by tāua, Kara Edwards.

Ko te whakamāramataka o tōna ikoa, ko Tiniura te ikoa o tōna Koro nō Tahiti, i te taha o tōna Māmā. Ko Tutoko te ikoa o tōna tipuna rakatira nō Whakatipu Waitai, i te taha o tōna Pāpā. ‘Ka Heke Ka Whā’ acknowledges the four ways Tiniura can trace his ancestry directly back to his tipuna Tutoko through his paternal grandparents, Brent Mahuika and Kara Edwards.

Waitangi Day

Having not been able to hold our celebrations for a few years and with the impending orange weather warning system we made sure we had a plan B if Tāwhirimātea decided he would have a party.

Our marae is under development, so it was decided to hold celebrations in Hokitika at Lazar Park. This venue proved to be worth its weight in gold with plenty of shelter when the odd shower passed through, large enough to house our manuhiri who arrived to listen to the history of the Treaty, learn about local Māori place names, eat some yummy hāngī participate in kupenga and rongoā.

We needed plan B for our hāngī because of the rain the previous day would have meant a hāngī pit full of water!

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The hāngī was a huge hit with everyone able to go home with a small plate for tea as well.

Huge thanks to our partners and helpers who made this happen, Westland District Council, Hokitika Lion’s Club, Ministry of Culture and Heritage, and Ngāti Waewae.

Whānau Picnic

Our annual whānau picnic was held on a glorious West Coast day at the Woodstock Domain. We had a fantastic turnout and lots of fun was had by young and old.

Drinks and a BBQ were much appreciated by whānau after participating in good old fashioned games such as sack races, running races and three-legged races.

Rūnanga Meeting

Our rūnanga meetings have kicked off for the year with the first one being held on Sunday 5 February at Lazar Park, with a small number whānau braving the torrential wind and rain to attend.

Paul Madgwick gave a presentation on Te Ara Pounamu which is an exciting project for Poutini Ngāi Tahu.

Our next whānau rūnanga meeting will be held on 13 May keep an eye out in your email box for more information closer to the time.

Ngā Mate, Barry Wilson

We were deeply saddened at the passing of Barry Ashley Wilson on 28 February at home with his family at the age of 76. Barry was the much-loved son of Bert and Elsie Wilson and brother of Russell and Lorraine (deceased), Naomi and his stepbrother Clive. Barry was the cherished husband of Judy, and the much-loved father and fatherin-law of Anthony and Kathleen, Gene and Kirsty, a loved and adored Pop of Jessica, Braden, Aston and Seth and great grandpop of Max, Heath, and Lincoln. He was also a much-loved uncle, cousin, and friend to many.

We wish to acknowledge and thank Barry for his contribution to our rūnanga which began following our formation in the 1980s and continued until his final days. Most recently he was our representative on Development West Coast and the Westland District Council Wastewater options Governance group. We also acknowledge his contribution towards commerce and development in Hokitika and the Westland District.

Up Coming Events:

Rūnanga Meeting 13 May, RSVP to Makaawhio.admin@ ngaitahu.iwi.nz, venue to be confirmed.

Whānau Preparedness Day, hosted by Ngāi Tahu, to prepare whānau for an emergency, 22 May, St John’s, Hokitika. Please also register your interest with the office also.

Kaumātua Day, 30 May, Arahura.