AUGUST 2015
E Wawa Ra N G Ā T I
W H Ā T U A
Ō R Ā K E I
Kaumātua Kapa The Kaumātua kapahaka festival is a wonderful event recognising our kaumātua from around the motu.
Kāinga Tuatahi Trust Elections Hui Poutama 2015
E Wawa Ra
Papakāinga Development - Kāinga Tuatahi The Kāinga Tuatahi development is moving ahead at pace. The past 3 months have been full on for those whānau that are purchasing homes. Whare have been allocated and initial deposits have been paid.
The site is under construction and is expected to be completed in the first half of 2016. For your own health and safety, please do not enter the site. If you see non-workers or tamariki on the site after hours please contact the office or email wrl@ ngatiwhatuaorakei.com.
The homes are rapidly taking shape with the internal framing and roof trusses up on the Kupe St East homes. While the Kupe St West homes are not far behind. Overall, the excitement is building and we hope that the weather stays fine to enable the construction team to continue with their mahi.
Future Director Programme The Ngāti Whātua Orākei Whai Rawa Future Director programme is designed to foster the next generation of hapū directors by encouraging whānau to develop business acumen, governance experience and become actively involved in the business of the hapū. During April and May, the Whai Rawa panel interviewed 8 outstanding applicants for the Whai Rawa Future Director Programme.
Ngāti Whātua Orākei should be proud that there is such a breadth of talent, passion and skill amongst its membership. Whai Rawa will be offering all of the applicants the opportunity to participate in a governance training programme later this year that will provide them with a better understanding of the role of a board, and also some additional skills for future governance opportunities.
Future Director - Dane Tiwene Grey Recently I had the honour and privilege of accepting the position of Future Director with Whai Rawa. I appreciate that this is a great opportunity not only to improve my commercial acumen and strategic abilities, but also to contribute back to the hapū with the skills and experience I have built throughout my career.
presenting me with this opportunity and look forward to contributing to the goals and strategy of our hapū going forward.
I have been lucky enough to be involved in a variety of organisations and industries, mostly within horticulture and agriculture. Having worked for large corporates and small companies here in Aotearoa and in the UK, I have acquired a thorough understanding of business practices and hope to be able to use this to the advantage of Whai Rawa. The prospects for our hapū to develop culturally, socially and commercially have never been better and I have no doubt that we are ready to embrace this. With guidance, education and resources from the Trust I see no reason why our members cannot improve in all these areas and set up a better future for generations to come. I want to thank the team at Whai Rawa for
INSERT: Dane and Jacqui Grey with their twin boys George & Theo .
Change of date for Hui Poutama The 2015 Education & Careers Festival - Hui Poutama ‘15 was scheduled for Sunday, 6 September 2015 (10am - 4pm). However, this has been changed to: SUNDAY, 11 OCTOBER 2015 (9am - 3pm). Hui Poutama ‘15 is the annual Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Education & Careers Festival for hapū members of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei and their children. The aim is to promote a
variety of educational and career pathway opportunities that are available and to celebrate success as a hapū. We are planning interactive activities and entertainment for all ages from pēpi to kaumātua. We look forward to seeing all the whānau at Hui Poutama ‘15!
Education Grants Workshop dates have been set Bring your ideas, feedback and concerns to assist the Education Grant process review for 2016. We encourage all whānau to attend one of the workshops below to help us provide a better process for 2016. Please RSVP for catering purposes to Kirimoana at: orakeied@ngatiwhatuaorakei.com or phone: 09 972 0464
Ōrākei Workshop
Orākei Marae Wednesday, 26 August 2015 5:30pm to 9pm
Kaipara Workshop Reweti Marae Sunday, 30 August 2015 10am to 12pm
Kaumātua, cards and kapahaka ‘He Kura te Tangata - The Human Being is Precious’ was the theme for the annual Kaumātua kapahaka festival hosted in Poneke. The twoday hui had ten teams performing and Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei was well represented by our 36 strong roopu ‘Te Puru o Tamaki’. The Kaumātua kapahaka festival is a wonderful event recognising our tino ataahua kaumātua from around the motu. There was a lot of excitement, laughter, aroha and of course singing as we settled in for our 10 hour trip by train to Wellington. Our kaumātua used the time to read books, do crosswords, enjoy a cuppa tea and kai, and yes, play cards. Aunty Maramatanga, Aunty Rita and Aunty Margaret showed their skills playing ‘hoise’. Uncle Matt joined but was quickly defeated (so was I). The three Aunties sung beautiful waiata as they played and after losing several times, Uncle Matt was convinced their songs were in code and they were table talking. It was hilarious and he had everyone laughing. Story continued on outside pages.
Ōtaki Workshop
Te Wānanga o Raukawa Saturday, 5 September 2015 10am to 12pm
Trust Elections Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Trust (NWOT) will hold elections in November, where four positions will become available. The Trust operates on a rotational process where half the elected representatives come off the Trust every two years. Nominations for candidates for this year’s elections will be called by way of public notice on August 28th. All registered members of NWOT are eligible to be nominated for election. The number of elected representatives will be reduced to 9 this year, as per the Trust Deed. Those coming off the
Trust are Ngarimu Blair, Grant Hawke, Margaret Kawharu, Rangimarie Rawiri, and Marama Royal. However, they are all able to seek re-election. Election Services is the independent organisation that will run the election process and whanau who have updated their addresses will receive updates by mail. Our website www.ngatiwhatuaorakei.com and social media pages will be updated regularly. If you have any questions call the office or email info@ngatiwhatuaorakei.com This is your chance to have a say so please get involved.
Key Election Dates AUGUST Here turi kōkā
SEPTEMBER Mahuru
OCTOBER Whiringa ā nuku
NOVEMBER Whiringa ā rangi
FRIDAY Rāmere
FRIDAY Rāmere
FRIDAY Rāmere
FRIDAY Rāmere
28
Public notice calling for nominations for NWOT
18
Nominations for NWOT CLOSE
23
Voting OPENS
20
Voting CLOSES
Trust Review The Trust Deed review working party has completed its consultation with whānau members and are now compiling a report, which will include recommendations for the Trust to consider.
A Special General Meeting may still be called for the same day as the Annual General Meeting on Saturday 28 November, to pass any recommendations to amend the Trust Deed. This will be confirmed closer to the time. All recommendations will be sent to members before the hui.
Housing issue heads to court As you may have seen on our Facebook page or in the media, lawyers representing Ngāti Whātua, will present a case to the High Court in October against the Government, challenging its proposed ‘land release programme’. In May, the Government announced that it was intending to “release” to the market an additional 450 to 500 hectares of surplus Crown land in Auckland. The Government wants to encourage more construction, to address the shortage of homes in Auckland and to help combat rising house prices. Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei believes that these are important issues for the Government and we have expressed our willingness to be involved in a solution. However, we were disappointed and concerned with the announcement as most surplus Crown land in Auckland is subject to the right of first refusal (RFR). This right was given to the 13 iwi represented in Ngā Mana Whenua o Tāmaki Makaurau
Collective Redress Deed. Under the Deed, the Housing Minister can exclude land from the RFR that is held for State housing, if the Minister believes the disposal of land will achieve or support the Crown’s social objectives relating to housing. The Trust and Whai Rawa do not think this should be applied to all parcels of land the Government is planning to release. Whai Rawa believes the RFR is an asset which needs to be protected. If the Crown is allowed to get around the RFR at this early stage it could lead to more attempts to do so in the future. We are also challenging the way this has been handled by the Government. The judicial review will be heard on Monday October 5th and we will keep you updated via our Facebook page and the website.
Ngāti Whātua Orākei Trust Deputy Chair recognised for mahi In May, Ngarimu Blair was named the University of Auckland’s Emerging Maori Business Leader of the year, at the Aotearoa Māori Business Leaders Awards ceremony.
Whānau Hui Grant
Due to high demand from Ngā uri o Tuperiri for more engagement at a whanau level, the Trust has allocated a special fund of $6,000 to be spread over ten Whānau Hui per financial year. For example, 1 whanau hui = $600. The fund will be allocated to whanau upon receipt of a written proposal with details of aims and objectives for the hui and the outcomes they hope to achieve. The Trust will then formally approve the allocation of funding at their monthly hui. Only one application per whānau per annum please.
The Awards were established in 2004 by the University’s Business School to celebrate outstanding Māori excellence and success in business. However, this year was the first time an Emerging Business Leader has been recognised.
International Sports Representative Grant A special grant has been approved by the Trust to provide $500 to hapū members who are selected to represent New Zealand in their relevant sport. The grant will be for each financial year they are selected, and is available to members of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, or those who are whangai or legally
adopted children of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei members. For the grant to be approved, applicants will need to demonstrate they are, or their guardians are, members of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei and provide necessary proof from their sporting body that they have attained national representative honours.
Kaumātua Kapa Haka cont. Dressed in our Te Puru o Tāmaki colours, we gathered for the powhiri at Te Papa. Our whaea looked stunning in their silk yellow and black scarves, and it was wonderful to see Uncle Grant, Uncle Bob, Uncle Matt and Taiaha on the paepae representing Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei. Two waiata were chosen specifically for this festival – Karangatia ra (Ta Apirana Ngata) and E Pari Ra by Paraire Tomoana – and learnt by the 500 people at the powhiri. If you can imagine a room full of kaumatua and pakeke standing and performing, it was a very humbling experience. After that, Aunty Rita and Uncle Kawharu laid a wreath on our behalf as part of a Remembrance ceremony - Haria mai te aroha ki a Te Hokowhitu-atu – to acknowledge the 1st NZ Maori Contingent and Maori Pioneer Battalion. The following day it was kapahaka time and the atmosphere was buzzing. The auditorium was packed with standing room only. Despite a lot of nerves, our kaumatua took to the stage and what a performance! Quickly, their nerves turned into smiles and enjoyment. Aunty Ruby joined
us on stage, which was a very special moment. The audience clapped and cheered throughout the bracket and our Uncles received a standing ovation for their haka. I was so very proud of everyone who performed. On Day Two, after some rest and re-energising, we performed again. This was made even more special when the MC brought Aunty Moana, Aunty Maramatanga, Uncle Bob, Taiaha and Waimarie onto the stage to be interviewed. This inspired our Kaumātua, who sung their hearts out and got the audience singing along to a beautiful rendition of ‘Show me the way to go home’ as they walked off the stage. It was really special to have some of our whānau there also and we closed our haerenga together, with some emotional and heartfelt words. Another moment captured in our hearts. I’ve been told by our Kaumātua that we will return next year and I fully support this whakaaro. It is their time, their festival, their celebration and their memories, and it is a real privilege to be part of this journey with them.
E Wawa Ra
Treaty Protection Team Protecting our Settlement, mana and ahi kaa roa is critical to the long-term development and growth of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei. Over the past year, the hapu has faced a number of challenges on this from other iwi who are trying to settle claims in Tāmaki, to the Council and Government. The Trust has set up a Treaty Protection Team, which includes Trustees and specialist advisors. The Taumata Kaumātua and members of the Runanga are also invited to attend and are informed of the decisions. The Treaty team is currently considering a claim by Ngati Paoa, and the Marutuahu collective for land in central Tāmaki. Meetings are being held with Ministers and negotiators to try and reach an agreement, however, if necessary legal action is also an option. It is important to understand, Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei is not trying to stop anyone else’s settlement, we are simply focused on protecting our own. Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei has been very accommodating, constructive and flexible in helping settlements happen in wider Tāmaki. We want to see iwi settle but this has to be done properly.
Key Dates AUGUST Here turi kōkā
NOVEMBER Whiringa ā rangi
FRIDAY Rāmere
FRIDAY Rāmere
Public notice calling for nominations for NWOT
Voting CLOSES
OCTOBER Whiringa ā nuku
NOVEMBER Whiringa ā rangi
SUNDAY Rātapu
FRIDAY Rāmere
Hui Poutama 2015
Wānanga Reo & Tikanga
OCTOBER Whiringa ā nuku
NOVEMBER Whiringa ā rangi
SUNDAY Rātapu
SATURDAY Rāhoroi
Whānau Wānanga
Special General Meeting & AGM
28 11
Education & Careers Festival Orākei Marae 9am - 3pm
18
Orākei Marae 10am to 1pm
OCTOBER Whiringa ā nuku
23
FRIDAY Rāmere
Voting OPENS
20 6
Orākei Marae 6pm start Friday 6th to Sunday 8th
28
Orākei Marae 10am - 12.30pm