Kāti Huirapa Rūnaka ki Puketeraki

We are excited to share the news of the recent appointment at Hocken Collections dedicated to supporting Māori research:

Rauhina Scott-Fyfe (Kāi Tahu, Kāti Māmoe) has been seconded to the newly established role of Māori Archivist at Hocken Collections. The primary purpose of the role is to enhance access for iwi and whānau to archival collections. Rauhina’s particular focus over the next 12 months (from March 2023) will be to support digitisation project work by researching, listing,

Rūnaka General Meetings for 2023

7th May, 30th July, 1st October.

The Annual General meeting is 5th November.

and describing collections, primarily the James Herries Beattie papers (ARC-0162), in order to give greater visibility to Māori narratives at the Hocken. Rauhina will be seeking input from Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu and local rūnaka at various stages throughout the digitisation project work, and can be contacted at rauhina. scott-fyfe@otago.ac.nz.

(NB: dates can change so please check with the Rūnaka Office if unsure). Zoom conferencing is available for whānau to connect online. If you have any questions about this, contact the office.

Manata Whakatata

Kāti Huirapa Rūnaka ki Puketeraki have signed an agreement with Ngāi Tahu Forestry, outlining a shared approach to the management of the Waikouaiti Forestry Block and a framework through which the Rūnaka and Ngāi Tahu Forestry will maintain and grow their mahika kai activities and other cultural practices, allowing these activities to take place safely alongside forestry operational requirements. Provisions have been made for capacity building opportunities, training and employment for Rūnaka members, the renovation of a hunter’s hut, as well as annual cultural and ecological monitoring. This monitoring has allowed mana whenua to identify areas of significance within the property, which in turn has led to the ongoing development of a mahika kai enhancement plan, including restoration of mahika kai habitat, improved site access, and funding for implementation.

The Manata Whakatata agreement is the culmination of over four years mahi from whānau, TRONT, and Ngāi Tahu Farming & Forestry.

Kāti Huirapa Rūnaka ki Puketeraki would like to thank all those involved in getting to this point, and although there are certainly more challenges ahead, we look forward to working in partnership with Ngāi Tahu Farming & Forestry to achieve the best possible outcomes for our whānau and whenua.

Puketeraki Māra Kai accessible garden project

relationship. The initial relationship was not without its challenges, with mana whenua clearly signalling the need for improved consultation and ability to exercise rakatirataka over their whenua. With the support of Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu kaimahi, a draft MOU was drawn up in 2019 however the COVID pandemic intervened, and it was put on the backburner until 2022, when it was dusted off and put back into action. With the support of Will Burrett (General Manager, Ngāi Tahu Farming and Forestry) the MOU was further developed into a Manata Whakatata agreement to better reflect the Rūnaka’s connection and aspirations for the whenua. The Manata Whakatata agreement includes a framework for access to the block for Rūnaka mandated hunters, businesses,

Last Friday we received a delivery to the Māra of 6 pallets of pavers saved from landfill. This donation of old pavers was part of the improvement project for George Street in Dunedin, developed by Dunedin City Council. The reuse of the old pavers was instigated and supported by Isaacs Construction. A group of Māra Kai members put in an application to have the pavers for our accessible garden project, and they were successful. On Friday, Isaacs Construction sent a team of workers, materials and machinery to prepare the space and two of their workers returned on Saturday to show whānau how to lay them. These two workers, Dane and Marty, as well as Dane’s wife Kirsten stayed for most of the day to help. There were eight whānau members who stayed the distance as well on Saturday and saw the 3,600 pavers laid. It was a massive effort and way more was completed than we anticipated on that day. We were all impressed with Isaac Construction’s kaupapa to give back to the community and to leave the whenua in a better place when their work is done.

Our next job is to build raised beds around the paved space, add seating for kaumātua and some form of shelter over the site so we can use the space for wānaka.

Pickling frenzy

Puketeraki Nursery kaimahi dedicated a day to preserving some produce from the Māra kai this week, as a contribution to the work that many others are putting into the Māra and the various kaupapa that weave into this space. They are for everyone’s use up at the Marae or at the Rūnaka or Māra shed for wānaka and working bees.

We have jars/vinegar/spices left over so we may be able to squeeze in another session before the season’s out if that’s what people would like. If you want to be involved, email Angelina nursery@puketeraki.nz

Pōwhiri for International Students

On Wednesday 8th of March more than 150 International Students from Ōtākou secondary schools were welcomed by whānau and Dunedin City Mayor Jules Radich on to our Marae. It was great to see the rakatahi enjoying their experience and the energy they brought to the occasion. It was a fantastic day, and it was wonderful to see so many young people from outside New Zealand interested in te ao Māori.

Anyone who is able to volunteer some time or materials for this next stage please contact Sue (021 1234 798) or leave a message with the Rūnaka Office.