ISSUE 1 - 2016
AUMATI
NGĀTI WHĀTUA ŌRĀKEI TRUST
“Mā tō tātou whanaungatanga e wh
Kupu whataki a te Heamana Chairman’s Korero Tēnā ano tātou e te whānau whānui o Orākei, ngā mihi o te wa me te Tau Hou ki a koutou katoa. E koa ana, hari hoki ahau ki te mihi atu ki a koutou. It’s that time of the year again, time to relax and enjoy a break with whānau and friends, and hopefully some beautiful weather! This year has been a big one for our hapū. Our kaukuia and kaumātua have been busy supporting the Trust, keeping up our responsibilities as mana whenua, leading our marae and passing on their knowledge to our rangatahi. On top of all this, they’ve been representing Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei on stage at the Kapahaka nationals in Wellington. Ngā mihi nunui ki a koutou ma. As we reflect on the year, one thing in particular stands out for me and that has been our focus as a hapū on supporting our rangatahi and helping them grow. Seeing the joy on the faces of our young people and their whānau at Mokopuna Day was awesome! So too was seeing rangatahi and pakeke sitting together at wānanga and whānau hui.
From the Trust’s point of view, we’ve had a challenging but good year. Our hapū is often making waves in national and local politics, business and media, but that’s all part of our place as mana whenua. Kāinga Tuatahi is close to being ready, we’ve upgraded 40 homes to keep whānau warm and dry, and we’ve agreed as a Group on developing a Housing Strategy. We have a lot of exciting things to look forward to this year. Our first whānau wānanga will be held on April 10th - the kaupapa is ‘WHENUA’. Otira, I want to thank all our staff for their mahi keeping things running smoothly for our hapū – from the marae to the office and in the community. Without you all we could not do the work we do. Once again, I want to acknowledge Taumata Kaumātua, and Board members. To all our whānau, keep each other safe, eat well and may this year bring joy and prosperity. Nā, Phillip Te Waka Davis
Profiles Our new Trustees Congratulations to our new Trustees, Wyllis Maihi and Joe Pihema, who were elected to the Trust in November, and also to Marama Royal and Ngarimu Blair, who were re-elected. There was a good turnout in the end for voting and the election process was open and informative. Well done to everyone who put themselves, or their whānau members forward for election, and also to those who voted. Ngā mihi ki a tātou katoa. The Trust now has nine members rather than 10, as per the Trust Deed. The year ahead will again be a busy one. Here’s a bit about our new Trustees:
Wyllis Maihi
Wyllis was raised in Orākei and is an active member of the community. After completing a Bachelor of Teaching in 2011, he began teaching Te Reo Māori and Mathematics at King’s College. Wyllis has recently completed further postgraduate studies, with the support of the He Taumata Rau Scholarship. Wyllis looks forward to continuing to use his range of knowledge, skills and experience to support and benefit his whānau, hapū and iwi. He continues his role as KMOT Chair.
Joe Pihema
Joe is the son of Hapi and Alice Pihema. Born and raised in Orākei, he has spent the last 20 years working in Māori education and the cultural and heritage sector. Joe is a tutor of Te Reo at EIT in Te Tairawhiti, and was previously a reporter and producer at Māori Television. Joe wants to bring new ideas to the Trust, with a focus on delivering benefits to whānau particularly in housing, health, employment and education, but also focus on a stronger marae, stronger Reo and tikanga.
hakataki i te ritenga tika
“By our kinship we strive to m
Ngāti Whātua to host Flower Show Perfect venue for the inaugural flower show Ngāti Whātua will host the inaugural International NZ Flower & Garden Show on Takaparawhau in November 2016. This is a major event for Auckland and will be the first flower show to be held here since the Ellerslie Flower Show, which left for Christchurch in 2008. Organisers say that hosting the event at Orākei will set the show apart from other similar international competitors.
Ngā mihi to our Whai Maia spokespeople, Wayne Pihema and Te Aroha Morehu, who fronted for this kaupapa to most media including TV One, Maori TV and the Herald.
“It is fitting that Bastion Point should be a meeting place for designers of all nations who share our love of the visual and spiritual properties of plants.”
Designer and organiser Kate Hellier said “It’s the perfect venue and you couldn’t ask for more, there’s going to be a lot of very jealous flower show organisers.”
In Wayne’s words: “We are committed to the preservation and restoration of the flora and fauna on our whenua to a state where the mauri, or life force, of the land is thriving.
“It is fitting that Bastion Point should be a meeting place for designers of all nations who share our love of the visual and spiritual properties of plants.” Details are still being worked through, but there is also the possibility that our marae may play a part. Watch this space!
Waka Māori Waka Māori has a new home Waka Māori has a new home in Tauranga. While this taonga is moving on, its sale to the hapū Ngā Pōtiki has strengthened our relationship with Tauranga Moana, particularly with Ngai Te Rangi. A bus filled with kaumātua, kuia, and whānau made their way down to Tauranga recently to handover the mauri. This followed a visit by members of our Taumata Kaumātua earlier in December 2015. Ngā Pōtiki hasn’t announced their plans yet for Waka Māori but we understand that the iwi will use it regularly. Waka Māori was a strong symbol for our hapū and all Māori during Rugby World Cup and the America’s Cup in
San Francisco. Ngā Pōtiki have told us that they accept our wish to keep a connection with Waka Māori, and we look forward to working with them. Te Awanuiarangi Black said having Waka Māori in Tauranga is important for the city and will help to establish its own Māori identity. Whānau plan to go down again once the Waka is rebuilt to complete the handover process.
Tupara Morrison New journey for departed CE Whai Maia Chief Executive, Tupara Morrison, has decided it is time for a new challenge and will leave his role in February. The Whai Maia Board regretfully accepted his resignation but thanked him for his significant contribution. Tupara has been CEO since Whai Maia was established in 2012. Over that time he has played a big role in advancing the social development of our hapū. This has included developing a strategic plan, focusing on outcomes for the tribe, and finding new ways to generate additional revenue contracts. He also oversaw our first tribal Census! In Tupara’s words: “I’m proud of the work that the team has been able to achieve over the past three years, and
leading that has been really satisfying. However, it’s the right time for me to look at new challenges. It’s also the right time for a fresh perspective and I’m confident that we’ve been able to build a strong team to help the next CEO. “Developing leaders from within Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei is something I am really proud of, and Whai Maia has a highly motivated Senior Leadership Team, who will continue this important mahi for the hapū. Thanks to all the staff and whānau.” Ngā mihi Tupara. Thank for your mahi, and good luck in the challenges ahead.
meet our present and future needs”
Representing Orākei Representing on the local and global stage The past three months have seen our hapū represented on the local and global stage.
the ranks as an artist. Keep up to date with her news on Facebook at ‘MajicsMusic’.
In November, our victorious Kapa o Pango were welcomed Earlier this month our kaukuia and kaumātua, along with home by Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei our kapahaka and whānau, led the to Waiatarau. It was awesome to Keep our ahi kaa burning across the motu pōwhiri for the tangi of Jonah Lomu at have our mana whenua on display Eden Park. What an amazingly strong and beyond alongside the Champs! send-off for the legend. Mihi atu ki ngā kaukuia me ngā kaumātua. Congratulations to Majic Paora who won Best Māori Female Solo Artist at this year’s Waiata Māori Music These are just a few examples, and there are many more. Awards. She’s also been signed by German record label, Ngā mihi to all who are continuing to keep our ahi kaa Oneness, and will no doubt keep developing and climbing burning across the motu and beyond.
Waitangi Day Waitangi Day Festival 2016
The Waitangi Day Festival 2016, was held at Takaparawhau on Saturday 6th February. Despite heavy showers on the day, we estimate 10,000 manuhiri donned ponchos and jackets, gathering in front of the stage as the sounds of Troy Kingi, Riqi Harawira, Billy TK Jnr, Majic, 1814 and headliners House of Shem poured out across the whenua. This year also featured a well-received Whānau Stage and we were honoured to have Eruini Hawke, Maraea Robb and Ngahuia and Rawinia Hawke perform. There were kai and craft stalls, and kids’ rides. Many thanks to the whānau who helped out on the day, and those that braved the weather for a great day out.
Mokopuna Day 2016 Another year to celebrate with our mokopuna Mokopuna Day 2016 was held on Saturday 12th March. Many whānau came along to enjoy the festivities and celebrate our tamariki. This year’s event featured the M2M Fun Run, a great day on the giant inflatable waterslides and Whale Rider on the big screen at dusk. It was a fantastic day which was thoroughly enjoyed.
Rongorito Wirihana Te Rei Our rangatahi experiencing the best of both worlds Ka whiua reretia te kupu mihi ki runga ki te rangi, ki raro ki te papa, ki waho ki te ākau, tae noa mai ki tuawhenua.Ko Rongorito Wirihana Te Rei tōku ingoa. He uri ahau nō Apihai Te Kawau, nō Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei. I tupu ake au i Ōtaki, ki te rohe o Ngāti Raukawa-te-au-ki-te-Tonga. He tauira ture ahau ki Te Whare Wānanga o TāmakiMākaurau. Nōku te māringa nui kia whai wāhi i roto i ngā mahinga mō tōku iwi i te taha o tōku māmā, a Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei. I have been gaining work experience in both Whai Maia and Whai Rawa through the Tertiary Internship Programmes. As a mokopuna of Ngāti Whātua who did not
grow up on Boot Hill or in Tāmaki Makaurau, it has been awesome to meet more whānau and get a chance to gain some experience working and contributing to the organisation. This has provided me with a stronger sense of my Whātua identity and direction going forward through university and in to the workforce. The Whai Rawa Tertiary and Secondary internships are advertised through E Wawa Rā and online. If you would like to apply for the next intake please email us on wrl@ngatiwhatuaorakei.com.
Whānau move into their new whare Kāinga stage one complete Friday 26 February 2016 saw 9 families take the keys to their new homes in the Kāinga Tuatahi development.
“It’s a proud moment for myself and my whānau. The countless sacrifices has paid off... it’s priceless.”
- Dave Harriman, Unit 20
The completion of the Western Side has been significantly delayed with our estimated completion dates being June 2016.
Celebrating Success Congatulations whānau Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei whānau are doing great things for the hapu and the wider community through their work for Whai Maia. Please join us in acknowledging them for their efforts. The “Ko te Pūkākī” and “Ōkahu Catchment Ecological Restoration Plan” programmes, which many of our whānau are involved in, received the Restorative Innovation Award at the 2015 Sustainable Business Network Awards in November. Arekatera Maihi (Katz) and Matt Tamariki contributed to the cultural design of the new shared cycle path “Te Ara i Whiti” on Nelson Street which opened in December 2015. Carvers, Lenard Phillips and Dennis Conway prepared 12 taonga for the 2016 ASB Tennis Tournament. These taonga were presented to the singles and doubles, winners and runners up in both the women’s and men’s divisions.
Carved Trophies ASB Tennis Tournament 2016
Te Ara i Whiti Lightpath
Making good progress Auckland Transport Submissions Our 2015 Whai Rawa Tertiary Interns Jerry Daniels and Rongorito Wirihana Te Rei hit the streets in Orakei in late November with Submission Forms asking Auckland Transport to keep the existing 717 bus route going through Kupe & Te Arawa Street in Orakei, that connects directly to the City, Glen Innes and Panmure. Auckland Transport plans to remove the existing route and replace it with a feeder bus from Ōrākei Train Station to
Kupe Street every 30 minutes. The removal of the bus route is a concern for all of our whānau who use the bus. The final day for public feedback was 10 December 2015. We received over 50 hand written submissions from whānau to support keeping the 717 bus route. Ngā mihi ki a koutou I tautoko I tenei kaupapa!
Nick Smith Hīkoi Minister visits the Kāinga
Waimokoia Tāmaki Collective RFR opportunity
Housing Minister Nick Smith visited the Kāinga Tuatahi site late last year on Tuesday 24th of November.
In November 2015, Whai Rawa purchased a 50% interest in an ex Ministry of Education site at Bucklands Beach known as Waimokoia. This opportunity became available to Whai Rawa through the Tāmaki Collective RFR process. Originally, Marutūahu was the owner of the other 50%, but on-sold theirs. Whai Rawa has subsequently entered into an unconditional contract to sell the property with settlement due in late May 2016.
Hillary Block Whai Rawa progressing plans Whai Rawa has been progressing it plans to develop 8.4 hectares of landholdings on the North Shore. The Hillary Block is situated on the northern side of Eversleigh Road, Belmont, and is now a “Special Housing Area” which means that the resource consenting process for the development will be more streamlined than usual. There are currently 82 houses on the land and Whai Rawa plans to develop approximately 300 residences over a five year period. The Royal New Zealand Navy who are currently leasing the properties will slowly return the homes back to Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei over the course of the development plan.
We have moved! Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Whai Rawa Limited has moved. You can now find us at:
29 Dockside Lane, Auckland 1010 PO Box 106-649, Auckland City 1143 Our new offices are 100 metres away from the Whai Maia offices located in the laneway behind the Adina Hotel.