Kura Reo Kai Tahu - wonderful initiative - thank you.
From Al WILLIAMS - The Timaru Herald via stuff
"Arowhenua's community is celebrating Te Reo Maori with a week of workshops which have attracted people from all over the country.
More than 100 learners and speakers of Maori language have converged on the marae to upskill and put Te Reo into practice with others.
The community is hosting the second annual Kura Reo Kai Tahu (language school of Ngai Tahu) – a project facilitated by Ngai Tahu in an effort to bring generations of the tribe together to speak their dialect in an immersion environment.
Te Runanga O Ngai Tahu representative Charisma Rangipunga said the event was part of the tribe's language revitalisation strategy.
"We invite members of the tribe to come together to practise, upskill and learn new language skills. We endeavour to get to all our marae."
Two pools of people were taking part, with kaumatua taking the lead role.
"All students meet with elders in the morning for an open forum session.
"It is part of them passing on collective memories of their elders," Ms Rangipunga said.
Afternoon classes were dedicated to teaching Ngai Tahu proverbs, archival material, transcripts, dialect and composition lessons, she said.
One of the key components was being able to learn traditional language and to apply it in ways it could be used on the marae.
A team of 50 parents and 30 children had come together with the support of the Arowhenua community, she said.
"Their heritage, their traditions and their ancestors are something they can be proud of."
Arowhenua marae manager Mandy Home said the week had been very busy for the marae. Challenges had included catering for 100 people.
"This week is very important for our people.
"It's a resurgence of the language but it's also about teaching the children the language and taking ownership of their Ngai Tahutanga.
Whanau had given up their free time to uphold the Mana and Aroha of Te Runaka O Arowhenua, she said.
"Finally, Haere tonu Huirapa."
Saving our language = saving our people.
Arowhenua update from this original post
From Stuff
"Arowhenua upoko Joe Waaka has been voted off as the Arowhenua Te Runanga O Ngai Tahu (Tront) representative after a special general meeting on Sunday.
Up to 60 people attended the meeting at the Arowhenua Marae and voted against Mr Waaka 26-25, Te Runanga O Arowhenua registered member Pierre Manning-Waaka said.
Mr Waaka was replaced by Timaru barrister Quentin Hix. Mr Manning-Waaka said he hoped the new appointment would bring the people back to the marae, as hundreds had left since 1970. Of the 9000 members of Te Runanga O Arowhenua, only about 40 would turn up to monthly meetings, he said.
"We want a strong marae base. I'm calling for people to return to the marae and support the process and the runanga. The more people we have the better."
Yes, let's get people back to the marae and strengthen the ties that bind.
"The role of a runanga representative is to administer the assets and liabilities of Te Runanga as kaitiaki for Ngai Tahu Whanui and not discriminate against any particular Papatipu Runanga."
Is that the description of the rep role that you would use? Are some Papatipu Runaka being 'discriminated' against?
The electoral process in Arowhenua under fire.
From Stuff
"Arowhenua upoko Joe Waaka has called for a special general meeting to look at the "flawed process" of appointing the Arowhenua Te Runanga O Ngai Tahu (Tront) representative – a position he holds.
The meeting, advertised in Saturday's Timaru Herald, will be held on January 17 at the Arowhenua Marae.
When contacted by The Herald yesterday, Mr Waaka declined to comment.
Te Runanga O Arowhenua Society Incorporated chairman John Henry said he would attend the meeting and that people would have to "wait and see what happens".
He wanted to make it clear it was Mr Waaka, not the runanga or the incorporated society, who had called the meeting and that Mr Waaka was entitled to do so.
According to the advertisement, the four items on the agenda include:
To invoke Te Runanga O Arowhenua Society Incorporated disputes clause 25 with regard to the flawed process of appointing the Arowhenua Tront representative.
To appoint a working group to review the appointment komiti rules or policy and recommend any changes or improvements in reporting back to the member and the Kati Huirapa Hapu.
To notify Tront that the Arowhenua appointments komiti notice to them is invalid and was not legally endorsed by the member at a properly constituted general meeting.
To appoint a disputes komiti as per clause 25 of Te Runanga O Arowhenua Society Incorporated.
Hmmmm wish i was going.
From TRONT Website - Quentin Hix was elected Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu Representative for Arowhenua.
