TPR - building community

I've really enjoyed the latest Te Pànui Rùnaka. There is so much going on. From the carving apprentices at Ngàti Waewae, to the brillant update from Waihao about their recent wanaka. So much good news. One of my favorite reports was from Òtàkou about their recent wanaka . What a wonderful 3 days they must have had; to hear the history, to visit the places where it happened, to talk, write waiata, and have kai. What a great effort.

As usual I really appreciated learning about the candidates for the appointments committee of Te Hapù o Ngàti Wheke. Skills, experience, knowledge, passion and humility. Perfect attributes for the role – best of luck to all. Aoraki Bound is one of the best things we do as an iwi. My heartfelt thanks to all the organisers and tutors – you are making a massive difference in the health of our young people, our land and our iwi. You truly are great leaders for us. And more proof comes in the article by Huhana Carter, I found this paragraph particularly moving:

“There were many highlights of this experience but for me the opportunity to meet the kaitiaki of our treasured resource, pounamu was truly memorable. i learnt of the trails and asssociated stories. As I walked the tracks I continually thought, “Kà tapuwae o mua mò muri”” (the footprints of the past informing us about the future). To physically walk in the footsteps of our ancestors was an absolute privilege. I found the course to be particuarly enlightening to strengthen my cultural identity through increased understanding of the history and places of significance to Kài Tahu. Very little of this knowledge has survived in our whànau. We only have small pieces of information, but this course has confirmed some knowledge and expanded the overall picture. I would like to encourage others to take the challenge.”

How good is that? We are doing many things really well and Aoraki Bound is one of those excellent Ngai Tahu initiatives.

Another fantastic idea is the DOC Trainee Ranger Programme. We need to train our people up and this is an effective and innovative way to do it. And we are training them up in skills and expertise that we will need. Our kaitiaki role will increase over time, we will have more to protect and support, and we will need more Ngai Tahu skilled and able to support the kaupapa. Congratulations to the successful applicants to the programme: Michael Robb, Levi Lanauze and Joseph Walker. And thanks especially to Rachael for dreaming this idea up, turning it into a plan, and then making it happen. The scholarship from Te Runanga is a lovely touch.

So an absorbing read and so much information. Thanks so much to the team (Vicki) who gets this essential panui out every month.

Te Panui Runaka - it just keeps being great!

Another excellent edition of Te Panui Runaka for Matahi-a-te-tau (May). [sorry about the non-macrons, please just add them in where they need to be]

My favorite bits were the korero from our Kaiwhakahaere. It was great to hear about all of the mahi being done at the highest levels. The role is a balance between looking inward and looking outward and I think that Mark Solomon is doing really well. But we must always be looking to the future for the next generation so that the good work can continue and be built on.

I also really enjoyed hearing from Oraka Aparima Runaka about Ta Tipene O'Regan's korero about our histories and knowledge. I would love to have these and other wanaka from our kaumatua, filmed and put up on the blog, or the TRONT website, so that others can learn as well. Imagine the treasure trove of knowledge that would build up. It would become an online library with password access if necessary. Even a copy of the korero would be good.

Te Ngai Tuahuriri Runanga has more nominations for their appointment committee than places so the candidates were all there with a short bio about them and what they hoped to achieve. This is brilliant. Wouldn't it be great to get all of the candidates in each runaka to do the same. It would increase our knowledge and connection. I wish all candidates well.

News that at easter the 20th anniversary of Mau Taiaha was celebrated by, Te Tohu o Tu, ki Te Waipounamu, at Te Whare o Awhitu, Taumutu was awesome. 180 warriors attended the wananga celebrations and it sounds like it was a massive success. I would love to have video of that on a website somewhere too. The photo montage was inspiring.

So kia ora to the team that continues to deliver an amazing amount of information, every month, for the benefit of Ngai Tahu whanui.

Te Panui Runaka - why it's brilliant

Te Panui Runaka (TPR)

Where do I begin, there is so much I love about this publication.

The cover artwork - superb. Each time a new Ngai Tahu artist, each time a revelation - we have so much talent in our iwi.

The maori language - challenging and essential.

The photos throughout showing our people living their lives.

The information - layers of meaning that defy a single reading.

The reports from each runaka - it's just so important to keep the communication and knowledge flowing. I can't think of a single entity doing this job better than TPR.

Whew! the list goes on, the births, the successes, Ngai Tahu Fund projects, the message from the Kaiwhakahaere and finally my favorite - the image on the back cover, but what's this... arrrrg no photo on the back! Please bring it back.

Other ideas that could add value.

Could TPR be posted online within the TRONT website. Perhaps in some later development, all of the runaka could also be included as a hub or source of information. The info could be realtime and other modern communication tools could be added - such as the ability to post comments, video etc.

Obviously the budget is tight, perhaps a little more could be added due to the significance of TPR being one of the major communication mediums between 42,000 registered Ngai Tahu.

I'd like to be able to see the artwork and photos again and perhaps order a copy. Could a virtual gallery of Ngai Tahu artists be created (with an online shop). This would be a portal to the world.

If TPR had room, it would be great to read some poems or writing that Ngai Tahu are doing. Also longer tributes to people could be made. An area discussing whakapapa could be developed. An area discussing our heroes and their battles and marriages and legends.

But in the meantime thank you to all of the contributors and to the staff who pull it all together ever month. Your hard mahi and aroha to this task is appreciated.

Thanks

Kia ora koutou

Yes, I've toned down the black - kia ora for the feedback. I've just recieved my Te Karaka and Te Panui Runaka - I do have some comments but I'll break them down over a series of posts. It does make my heart sing when they arrive.

Any other feedback much appreciated.

Nga mihi

Marty