Waihōpai Rūnaka

“Te amorangi ki mua, te hapai ō ki muri”

Kia

Mihi Whakatau

A mihi whakatau was held to welcome David Ihimaera at the beginning of the year. David has whakapapa to Ngā Puhi me Te Rarawa. David will be managing He Waka Tōtika AOD programme under Waihōpai Hauora’s social service arm.

Waihōpai Rūnaka input into Stead Street Stopbank and Airport Avenue Active Travel Path (Kōreti Estuary)

Tere tohorā, tere tākata Where whales swim, people will follow

All mahi toi elements have now been installed (end March 2023) on Stead Street Stopbank (Kōreti Estuary) and Airport Avenue (near Waihōpai /Invercargill Airport). These works were part of projects for new stop bank climate change resilience and active travel path connection between the airport and Waihōpai / Invercargill city. The mahi toi works were inspired and guided by the Waihōpai Rūnaka Narratives Committee, with James York as the lead artist.

The Committee provided kōrero around the waka tīwai kaupapa for the stop bank wall. This brings to mind the numerous journeys across this stretch of water from the waka tauraka near Waihōpai / Invercargill city across to the settlements of Oue and Ōmāui on the opposite side and around the coast. Waka tīwai were for quick and easy transport of people and things across calmer waters of the estuary. The sculpted upturned curved ends make the stop bank wall give it a waka appearance and seem to make the wall float. Coupled with a major work at the intersection with Airport Avenue, and hoe paddle posts and detailing along the length, this one-kilometre-long piece of climate change infrastructure is transformed into something very special – mahi toi that speaks to mana whenua associations with the Kōreti Estuary over generations.

The tohorā or whale plays a prominent part in the cultural narratives of Waihōpai Rūnaka. Kewa is the name of the whale that reputedly gnawed through the land that once connected Rakiura to Murihiku. Mahi toi ‘Te Mana a Kewa’ is a gesture of whakamanuhiri and manaaki for those travelling to and from this region by air – visitors and residents alike. It is a reminder of the perseverance, grit and determination needed to achieve seemingly unattainable goals, intentions and visions – as was demonstrated by the whale, Kewa.

The Kōreti is also a circulation route and gateway to the upper reaches of the catchment for many aquatic species that transition from open seas to brackish and fresh waters. It is also a mahika kai spot that sustained whānau around its shores on a regular basis. On the stop bank at the Airport Avenue intersection stands ‘Kā Matau o Te Maramataka ’, acknowledgement of the seasonal calendar that continues to be so important for locals (Stead St intersection with Airport Ave). It references the beauty, bounty and importance of the Kōreti Estuary as it once was and could be. It is a nod towards aspirations for improved water quality, recovery of heathy habitats and the return of good indigenous species numbers.

We would like to acknowledge the wonderful team who kicked this project off in 2021 – ICC management and leaders who created the conditions to make this happen, as well as the overall project funders. Also, a massive thanks to the collaborative efforts of design, project management, engineering and fabrication teams whose combined expertise, care and attention to detail and willingness to go the extra mile, made this such an enjoyable and productive project. The end result is not only a statement of Waihōpaitaka in the takiwā of Murihiku, it also speaks to a process based on partnership, mutual respect and excellent working relationships. It appropriately marks a major gateway to the city and region, recognises the kaupapa and kōrero of Waihōpai whānau and is something that the whole community can share in and be proud of.

Hei whakamahara

Turupae Brown

28 June 1966 –

10 December

2022

We remember ‘Pae’ who was a part of the rūnaka whānau since 2018.

Under 13 Te Waipounamu Māori Netball Team 2023.

I te taha o toku māmā

Ko Puhanaga Tohora tōku maunga

Ko Mangatawa tōku awa

Ko Ngatokimatawhaorua tōku waka

Ko Ngāituteairu tōku hapū

Ko Pukerata te Marae

Ko Ngā Puhi nui tonu tōku Iwi

Ko Tracy Reed rāua ko Ricky Popham ōku mātua.

Ko Keira Anne Pirihira Popham toku ingoa

Tēnā koutou katoa, I was born in Perth Western Australia and moved home to Waihōpai when I was three. I currently attend Southland Girls High school as a year eight student.

Ko ahau te pōtiki o te tokotoru, tokorua ōku teina, ko Jordan rāua ko Jaxon, tokorua ngā iramutu Te Amorangi rāua ko Falcon.

I enjoy netball, touch, basketball, and kapa haka. I would like to say a big ngā mihi to Ngāi Tahu for the koha to help me attend this year’s tournament and also to Waihōpai and my whānau for all their support.

Ngā Mihi

Keira Popham

I te taha o toku pāpā

Ko Tuhua tōku maunga

Ko Poutini tōku moana

Ko Otairea rātou ko Uruao ko Takitimu ngā waka

Ko Ngāti Waewae tōku hapū

Ko Tuhuru te Wharenui

Ko Waitaha rātou ko Ngāti Mamoe ko

Ngāti Wairangi ko Poutini Ngāi Tahu nga īwi