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Ae MarikaTe Rūnanga-Ā-Iwi-O-Ngāpuhi Magazine Issue 29 October 2011

Rūnanga AGM: Small Loss Offset by Net

Gain

• Ngāpuhi Have Spoken - 76% Vote YES

• 2011 Elections: The Race for Te Tai Tokerau

• Meet the Karate Kid Shayne Taupo

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CONTENTS Ae Marika October 2011

For contributions to Ae Marika or any queries email comms@ngapuhi.iwi.nzor phone 0800 NGAPUHI (0800 6427844)

The opinions expressed in Ae Marika are necessarily those of Te Rūnanga-Ā-Iwi-O-NgāpuhiOur website address: www.ngapuhi.iwi.nz

Address: 16 Mangakāhia Road, Kaikohe 0440, AotearoaTelephone: +64 09 401 5530 Fax: +64 09 401 5543

FREECALL 0800 NGAPUHI (0800 642 784)Email: runanga@ngapuhi.iwi.nz Website: www.ngapuhi.iwi.nz

3 Te Rūnanga-Ā-Iwi-O-Ngāpuhi AGM: Small Loss Offset by Net Gain4 AGM Snippets: Whānau Ora5 AGM Snippets: Hapū Development6 Ngāpuhi Influence 2010 - 20117 Takiwā Election Results Confirmed8 Shayne Taupo - Karate Kid9 The Race for Te Tai Tokerau10 The Vote is ‘Yes’ for Tūhoronuku11 News Briefs12 Waikato University’s Youngest Graduate13 Rhythm N Groove14 Opening of the Mataatua Refurbished Meeting House15 Photo Gallery

Contents

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TUHORONUKUISSUE 29 2011 AGM

The annual hui, held this year at Te Iringa Marae near Kaikohe, heard how the past year had been difficult due to the global economic downturn and the recessionary impacts of the Canterbury earthquakes.“These events are the main reasons for the cut back in funding from our usual sources, particularly government agencies,” George said.The loss - compared to a profit of $460,000 last year - followed a decrease in the return from the fisheries assets as a result of alternative species becoming more available on the international markets.As a consequence, Ngāpuhi Asset Holding Company Ltd, the Rūnanga’s commercial subsidiary, has deliberately moved into active management of assets by purchasing real estate and assets within Te Whare Tapu o Ngāpuhi, like the Caltex service station and Paper Plus franchise in Kaikohe.“Not only will this provide more employment opportunities for our people,” George said. “But the strategy spreads the risk of recessionary and regulatory impacts across several sectors.”He also reported the value of the Rūnanga’s net assets had increased from $37.0m to $37.8m, an increase of 2.0%. Since 2007 the value of the Rūnanga’s net assets had increased steadily by almost 8%.George said reporting annually to Ngāpuhi was partly about “how we go about serving our Ngāpuhi people,” and providing transparency about the work being undertaken.“Our challenge is to ensure that our whānau, Hapū

and iwi stay firmly at the heart of everything we do.”Te Rūnanga-Ā-Iwi-O-Ngāpuhi Chairman Rāniera (Sonny) Tau said in his report to the meeting there had been two significant milestones that stood out for him.The conclusion of the historic Stage One Waitangi Tribunal hearings on He Whakaputanga o te Rangatiratanga o Nu Tireni and Te Tiriti o Waitangi; andThe seeking of mandate by Te Rōpū o Tūhoronuku to begin negotiating a settlement of all historical Crown breaches against Ngāpuhi under Te Tiriti o Waitangi.Sonny said the Ngāpuhi settlement would be the last

big agreement in Aotearoa.“It will have a profound social and economic impact on Ngāpuhi, Northland and Māori communities in greater Auckland.”He said the Rūnanga supported the right of individual claimants to have their claims heard through the Waitangi Tribunal process before settlement negotiations begin, but cautioned they wouldn’t hold back the wish of the majority to proceed with settlement talks, and experience with other iwi proved the Tribunal process

was laborious.“And Ngāpuhi and Northland do not have time on their side,” he said.“The past year has been a critical one for Ngāpuhi. We are now on a pathway that leads ultimately to settlement, advancement for our people and a new era for Ngāpuhi influence in Aotearoa. “When this will happen is up to our people.”

Small Loss Offset by Net GainTe Rūnanga-Ā-Iwi-O-Ngāpuhi incurred a small loss in the past financial year of $48,000 Chief Executive George Riley reported at its recent Annual General Meeting.

The Discretionary Fund is a one off application where a child/adult represents their region in a successful event or participates in a special event.

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2011 AGM Ae Marika October 2011

Whānau Ora

Our Iwi Development Strategy could not have been better designed to meet the Government’s introduction of Whānau Ora midway through 2010.

The Rūnanga is the lead organisation for the newly formed Whānau Ora collective in the mid North. It is currently known as Te Pū o Te Wheke.

Te Pū o Te Wheke has seven members in the health, education and social services sector including:

1. Te Rūnanga-Ā-Iwi-O Ngāpuhi.

2. Te Kotahitanga E Mahi Kaha Trust.

3. Hauora Hokianga Health Trust.

4. Ngāpuhi Iwi Social Services.

5. Te Hau Ora O Kaikohe Charitable Trust.

6. Whangaroa Health Services Trust.

7. Te Rūnanga O Whaingaroa

The objectives of Te Pū o Te Wheke are to:

• Work collaboratively in an economically sustainable way, to deliver coherent and quality services to whānau.

• Deliver services in ways that respect and acknowledge whānau values and beliefs.

• Enable whānau to lead their own growth and determine their own solutions.

• Ensure whānau are encouraged and supported to accept responsibility.

• Ensure whānau are enabled to provide a safe, nurturing environment where tamariki/mokopuna are supported to reach their full potential.

• Ensure whānau are enabled to successfully live independent of further intervention from either Te Pū o Te Wheke or other government or non-government agencies.

• Build community wellbeing.

Te Pū o Te Wheke is committed to working together and implementing plans to fulfil their objectives over the coming months and years.

Other Snippets from the AGM

The overall aim of Ngāpuhi Scholarships is to assist Ngāpuhi students to fulfil their potential for academic success,

and encourage applicants to contribute their skills towards the wellbeing and

betterment of Ngāpuhi whānau, hapū, iwi

The Sponsorship Fund is a one off application where a group or organisation are

participating in or organising a special event.

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2011 AGMISSUE 29

AGM Snippets - Hapū DevelopmentThe Hapū Development Fund continues to be well used. A new component of the fund - minor capital works for remedial work - was introduced this financial year. Each Takiwā has been asked for feedback on the fund to ensure a process of continual improvement.

The fund has identified two focus shifts in Hapū Development as marae and hapū complete their planning:

The first are hapū projects that focus on Ngāpuhi taitamariki:

• Te Waka Taitamariki a Ngāti Rehia Mata Moemoe has a hapū strategy ensuring total community development with the focus on youth being the catalyst.

• Work with Ngāti Hine Taitamariki leadership kaupapa to develop individual plans for 10 selected taitamariki, and a five year strategic plan for all Ngāti Hine taitamariki.

Such a focus will go some way to achieving the goal of ensuring the taitamariki culture is vibrant and positive.

The second focus has been a hapū approach to addressing community wellbeing:

• The Pakanae Community Water Board for Public Health Risk Management Plans.

• Te Ahikaa Kaitiaki o Te Wahapu O Hokianga strategy.

• Te Kotahitanga Marae with the development of Community Framework for community wellbeing.

• Mokonuiarangi’s monitoring of Utukura river impact on hapū health.

Hapū Development information systems enable measurement of Hapū Development, Natural Resource Management and Matauranga key performance indicators. This gives a clear indication of progress against the five year Strategic plan.

The two graphs that follow illustrate:

1. he portion of the fund accessed by each Takiwā;

2. The link between Hapū Development Funding and Iwi Development’s strategic goals.

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MINING2011 AGM Ae Marika October 2011

Ngāpuhi Influence during 2010 - 2011

Submissions made:

• Crown Minerals Regime • Coastal and Marine Takutai Moana Bill • Deemed Values • Total Allowable Catch changes – various species • Local Government Annual Plans

Letters of Support provided:

• Mataitaua Funding Application• Te Rawhiti Funding Application• Waimate Kura• Waikare Church • Toi Whakāri Director• Poroti Water Rights• Mātaitai establishment by Te Komiti• T90 Trials - new net for commercial trawl-

ing• Proposals for Ngāpuhi Nui Tonu Fisheries policy

group.• Ngā Whare Akonga • Te Waka Tai Tamariki o Ngāti Rehia• Waitangi Day Celebrations

Active Support by participation:

• Waiora Hokianga• Baycare Sedimentation Group• Bay of Islands Maritime Park• Ngāti Hau Hikurangi Swamp• Ruapekapeka Pa Management Trust.• Kaikohe Community Plan• Study to Identify and Mitigate Threats to North-

land Tourism• Biosecurity Surveillance Māori Advisory Group• Constitutional Review Working Group• Regional Policy Statement for RMA review • Water Quality and Management LAWF Report• Hydrocarbon industry re Offshore and Onshore

Drilling• Council Waste Water Treatment Plants• Federation of Māori Authorities

Chief Executive George Riley (standing) addresses the AGM at Te Iringa Marae. He is flanked by (left) Trustee Brian Joyce, and (right) Rūnanga Chairman Sonny Tau, Trustee and Deputy Chair Carol Dodd, and Trustee Te Rau Allen (far right).

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ISSUE 29 2011 AGM

Three Takiwā election results were announced at the Annual General Meeting as follows:Te Takiwā o Ngāpuhi ki WhangareiThe following nominations for the above positions were received and accepted as having met all the criteria as set out in Schedule 1 Paragraph 12 of the Te Rūnanga-Ā-Iwi-O-Ngāpuhi Trust Deed:Trustee: Michael Mauhaere KakeProxy Trustee: Kristi Mara HenareExec. Committee Chairperson: Wati Cooper Exec. Committee Secretary: Huia Mehana Exec. Committee Treasurer: Puti TipeneTe Rōpū Takiwā o MangakahiaThe following nominations for the above positions were received and accepted as having met all the criteria as set out in Schedule 1 Paragraph 12 of the Te Rūnang-Ā-Iwi-O-Ngāpuhi Trust Deed:Trustee: Carol Ann DoddProxy Trustee: Vivienne Isobel Bristowe Exec. Committee Chair: Vivienne Isobel BristoweExec. Committee Secretrary: Lysigna Maria MihakaTe Rūnanga o Taumarere ki RakaumangamangaThe following nominations for the above positions were received and accepted as having met all the criteria as set out in Schedule 1 Paragraph 12 of the Te Rūnang-Ā-Iwi-O-Ngāpuhi Trust Deed:Exec. Committee Chairerson: Whakatau Joseph George Exec. Committee Secretrary/Treasurer: Lorraine Anne Hill/YoungAs these are the sole candidates the Trust wishes to advise Te Rūnanga o Taumarere ki Rakaumangamanga that the candidates will be elected by default.In accordance with Schedule 1, Paragraph 17 of Te Rūnanga-Ā-Iwi-O-Ngāpuhi Trust’s Deed, William Guy Joseph ‘Joe’ Bristowe was elected Te Rūnanga o Taumarere ki Rakaumangamanga Trustee to Te Rūnanga-Ā-Iwi-O-Ngāpuhi.Te Takiwā o Ngāpuhi ki Whangarei and Te Rōpū Takiwā o Mangakāhia had no other nominations for candidates and thus the candidates were elected by default.* Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Hine, part of the Group One elections cycle, will hold an Annual General Meeting as soon as possible to fulfil this requirement.

Takiwā Elections - Having Your SayTe Rūnanga o Taumarere ki Rakaumangamanga members arrive for their Annual General Meeting.

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Ae Marika October 2011NGĀPUHI PEOPLE

“Shayne has achieved much in his chosen sport and we his whanau are proud of his achievements,” says his grandmother, Patricia Taupo.

In 2002 as a 10 year-old Shayne become the youngest New Zealand Karate black belt in the Go Kan Ryu style. At age 11 he was the youngest karate instructor and the only 13 year-old to hold a second-degree black belt in the country.

As a junior, Shayne has won three world titles, many local and national titles including several international titles. Last year he won four gold medals at the Auckland Karate Champs (Rounds 1 and 2), two gold medals at the Wellington Karate Champs (Round 2) and two gold medals at the New Zealand Champs.

Shayne said his aim is “to be as strong as a rock, yet light as wind. To be fast like fire, yet flow like water.”

Karate has given Shayne confidence; made him more disciplined and helped him with being able to learn.

Shayne Taupo has been a recipient of Discretionary Funding, just one of the funding streams available from Te Rūnanga-Ā-Iwi-O-Ngāpuhi. Details on how to apply are available on our website www.ngapuhi.iwi.nz

Shayne Taupo: Our Karate KidShayne Taupo went to his first karate lesson when he was five years old. Since then, Shayne’s whānau have

continued to guide and support him by attending his competitions and helping him to fundraise.

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NEWS IN BRIEFELECTIONS 2011ISSUE 29

Hone Harawira (Mana Party Leader and the incumbent)Hone’s profile says he was born in Whangarei, raised in West Auckland and, noticeably, schooled in the Māori protest movement.Enter his details in Google and hit search and you’ll see the incumbent Te Tai Tokerau MP wears his heart on his sleeve, something he’s refused to resile from even when cornered in a mainstream political vehicle that got him where he is politically in the first place. Thus the birth of his own party Mana.Hone was sent a clear message by voters during the June by-election where his 2008 election night majority of 6000 plus was butchered to 867. This election will tell whether the lessons have been learnt.

Kelvin Davis (Labour)Another looking to heed the lessons of the June by election is Labour’s Kelvin Davis who gave the incumbent a real hurry up in the face of a despondent electorate, particularly in West Auckland where most of the voters are.Kelvin’s profile pointedly says he was born and bred in Te Tai Tokerau and apart from a stint away from home while training, has remained in the North as a teacher and principal.This election is a new ball game. While the October Digipoll survey had Kelvin on top by a slim 1.6%, less than a month later the tables had turned and he was behind Hone by 7%. He’ll be only too aware of the other threat to his chances signaled in the same poll by the rise of the Māori Party’s candidate.

Waihoroi Shortland (Māori Party)The Māori Party have regrouped in the North in the wake of a disappointing by election result and are finding new impetus in the form of Waihoroi, or Wassie as he is widely known.The actor come broadcaster has a quick wit and intellect to go with a well-honed political nose. In a recent interview about the latest Digipoll survey results he quipped: "I'm within fingertip reach and if I can just give them [Hone and Kelvin] a Piri Weepu fingertip flick round the heels, I'll get over.”Wassie grew up in Matawaia, schooled at St Stephen’s and went to university at Otago to study physical education.The first phase of his career was in government jobs, before being one of the first reporters on Te Karere in its infancy, and then was part of a group who formed Mana Media.His acting stints included the recent The Billy T James Show and Boy. He also played the role of Shylock in the Māori version of The Merchant of Venice.

The Race for Te Tai TokerauIn early October a Digipoll survey put out by TVNZ’s Marae Investigates programme had Te Tai Tokerau MP and Mana Party leader Hone Harawira slightly behind Labour’s Kelvin Davis.What a difference a month makes. By the end of October, Digipoll had resurveyed for TVNZ’s Te Karere and found the tables had turned dramatically and Hone had a small break on the pack at 42% of the vote to Kelvin’s 35%, and the Māori Party’s Waihoroi Shortland impressing on 20%.While this all sounds like maths at the moment, what is apparent is that regardless of who wins, on current polling all three will make it to Parliament. But that will largely depend on Hone winning the electorate over and Labour bagging over 30% of the vote nationwide. Kelvin is ranked 23 on his party’s list, while Waihoroi is number one.

Maki Herbert is also standing for the Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party

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MININGTŪHORONUKU Ae Marika October 2011

In results announced late September by an independent election management company, 76% of Ngāpuhi have voted to give mandate to Te Rōpū o Tūhoronuku*, Ngāpuhi’s Treaty settlement entity, to begin settlement negotiations.Said Tūhoronuku Interim Chairman, Rāniera (Sonny) Tau: “This is the most significant development in Ngāpuhi’s modern day history. “Ngāpuhi have spoken in large numbers and decisively in the biggest exercise in Iwi democracy ever undertaken in this country.“Three out of four Ngāpuhi who voted have given their mandate to Tūhoronuku to negotiate a settlementwith the Crown. “From being the biggest but poorest iwi, Ngāpuhi is now on its way to settlement and cultural, social and economic advancement.“To Ngāpuhi katoa - thank you for taking the opportunity to vote. We are humbled by your commitment and level of support. Our commitment to you remains the same – we will continue to consult with you, and all Ngāpuhi will benefit from this settlement.“Settlement will have a profound effect on Ngāpuhi, Northland and the wider Ngāpuhi communities throughout Aotearoa and Australia, just as settlement has done for Tainui and Ngai Tahu.”Mr Tau said this result also gave other clear messages:For Government: “It now has a responsibility to accept the democratic wish of Ngāpuhi and recognise this mandate for Tūhoronuku.”For Ngāpuhi leadership: “We have a responsibility

to move forward with settlement now that the overwhelming majority of our people have pointed us in this direction. It will not be easy but it will be worthwhile as we move forward united, as Ngāpuhi did historically.”Mr Tau reiterated that the door would remain open to Ngāpuhi hapū and Treaty claimant communities who wish to be part of this historic journey.The result followed a six week election period, during which Tūhoronuku conducted the biggest communications effort in the history of Iwi Maori to reach Ngāpuhi, no matter where they live. Twenty mandating hui were held throughout the Bay of Islands, Hokianga, Whangarei, Auckland, Wellington, Nelson, Invercargill, Sydney and Perth. Ngāpuhi were also able to vote by post, online or by fax.In all, 23% of the 29 389 who received voting packs voted in the mandate elections.This was:• Twice the number who voted during Ngāpuhi’s

Constitutional Review in 2001• 1.5% more than the 21.4% who participated

in mandate voting for Ngati Porou in 2007.Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Porou’s mandate was recognised by the Government.

• The Ngāpuhi mandate voting process was managed by independent Christchurch Company Electionz.com, who ran last year’s local government elections.

*Te Ropū o Tuhoronuku is an independent sub-committee of Te Rūnanga-Ā-Iwi-O-Ngāpuhi.

76% of Voters say ‘Yes’ to Tūhoronuku to Negotiate Treaty Settlement

Ngapuhi, New Zealand’s biggest iwi, has voted overwhelmingly to begin Treaty settlement negotiations with the Crown.

Next steps

• Tūhoronuku is now preparing its Deed of Mandate application for submitting to the Crown. • During this period, Tuhoronuku will continue to hui with Hapu, whanau and claimants and is participating

in a working party to develop a process that enables Ngapuhi to negotiate a comprehensive settlement on behalf of Ngapuhi and claimants in Te Paparahi o Te Raki inquiry to have their issues heard before the Waitangi Tribunal (Stage 2 Hearings).

• Once the Deed of Mandate application is submitted, the Office of Treaty Settlements (OTS) will publicly advertise the Deed of Mandate application and hold a public submission process, seeking comments from interested parties. Four weeks is the usual timeframe within which submissions are received.

• After reviewing any submissions, OTS, in consultation with Te Puni Kokiri, will then report to the Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations and the Minister of Māori Affairs. The Ministers will then decide whether to recognise the mandate on behalf of the Crown.

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MATARIKIISSUE 29 NEWS IN BRIEF

Te Whakatatae Reo OkawaOmanaia School held its inaugural speech competition Te Whakatatae Reo Okawa during September. Students in years 0-9 spoke in te reo Māori to an assembled audience including their peers, whānau and judges Lahni Sowter (Omanaia School parent), Te Puawaitanga Matene (Te Wānanga o Aotearoa) and Noel Te Tai (Tumuaki o Te Kura o Waikare). Year 0-4 tamariki recited their pepeha and spoke about their whānau, some covered the school-wide learning kaupapa of Reitu, Reipae and the connections of Ngāpuhi to Waikato. The students in years 5-9 reflected on their recent trip to the Koroneihana in Ngāruawahia and the oral histories handed down relating to the Kingitanga. The tamariki made good use of kīwaha and whakatauki. The assembled parents and whānau of the school were pleased to see their tamariki stand proudly and speaking te reo Māori confidently. Winners on the day were: Akinihi Cassidy year 0-2, Jatarla Absolum year 3- 5, Hana Hiki year 6-7 and Caylynn Titore year 8-9.By Luke Hiki (Tumuaki, Omanaia School)

Young Rugby League Referee Spotted EarlyTwenty one year-old Leroy Healy (Ngāpuhi) played rugby league when he was at high school. During that time he was spotted by Leon Williamson (a top NZRL Match Official) refereeing a touch game and he encouraged Leroy to become a rugby league referee. At the age of 17 Leroy started refereeing at a district level; the more games he was given helped to develop his skills. With the support of Craig Pascoe his mentor and friend, Leroy is now able to referee at a national level and was one of a number of NZRL referees who attended the recent National Secondary Schools Rugby League tournament in Papakura.Leroy is passionate about rugby league saying it’s exciting, fast and intense.“Rugby league is moving in a positive direction,” he said.“More and more people are watching and getting involved.”

(Leroy is pictured refereeing at the National Secondary Schools tournament in Papakura.)

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Ae Marika October 2011NEWS IN BRIEF

Waikato University’s youngest ever graduate is off to study for his doctorate at Oxford University. Robert (Bobby) Turongo Brooks is now 21 years old and since graduating with his Bachelor of Science at 17, he has completed a Master of Science and part of a Postgraduate Diploma in Economics. “I was thinking about doing some more study, picked up the phone and rang Oxford, and it sort of took off from there,” he says.

Brooks will be a student at Jesus College studying synthetic organic chemistry. He is of Ngāti Maniapoto, Tainui and Ngāpuhi descent on his mother’s side and has been awarded the Sir Robert Mahuta Postgraduate Memorial Scholarship which will give him $60,000 a year for three years while he studies.

“It’s a real honour to receive this scholarship - Sir Robert attended Oxford – and so it’s rather special to be following in his footsteps.” Brook is unsure where his study will take him but his Masters degree in chemistry saw him working on applications for a new generation of anti-cancer drugs. At Oxford he’ll be in Dr Ed Anderson’s research group which covers both natural product synthesis and development of new synthetic methods, two major cornerstones of chemical research worldwide.

“And once I’ve completed my doctorate, I’ll probably look for a postdoctoral position perhaps designing targeted drugs – therapies for diabetes or cancer. I’m also interested in brain chemistry, so the future is a bit of an unknown. I do know that while I’m at Oxford I’ll be doing between 50 and 60 hours a week in the lab.”

Recently Brooks has been living in Wellington. His Nan spotted an intern position going at Motu, the economic and public policy research organisation, and Brooks applied for and got that. “I then thought I’d better learn some economics, which is why I began the postgraduate diploma through Waikato.”

He worked for Motu’s environmental economics team on a review of the Government’s afforestation grants scheme, and then took a position as policy and research

analyst at the Federation of Māori Authorities, which fosters economic advancement for Māori. At this year’s national AgBio conference he chaired a session about improving relationships between Mātauranga Māori and science.

His Masters supervisor at Waikato, Dr Lyndsay Main, says Bobby Brooks might be young but he’s always coped well in new and different environments since coming to university full-time at 14 after years of home schooling. “In spite of his very young age as a chemistry undergraduate at Waikato, Bobby was mature, bright and especially independent, with great family support. At graduate level he really hit his straps with his first class honours degree and very successful research for his thesis.”

Dr Main says Brooks’ maturity and cooperative attitude will undoubtedly fit him well for realising his research potential amongst the other 80 or so DPhil and 60 postdoctoral researchers in organic chemistry at Oxford. “His engaging personality equally suits him to participation in college life at Oxford University and, in spite of all hard work involved, he has a very enviable three years ahead of him.”

Bobby Brooks started his Oxford study on October 10.

Waikato University’s Youngest Graduate off to Oxford University

Bobby Brooks.

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NEWS IN BRIEFRHYTHM N GROOVEISSUE 29

Rhythm N Groove is a successful programme that was developed and delivered by Ngāpuhi Iwi Social Workers in Schools (SWiS) for the 20 participating SWiS schools within the Ngāpuhi rohe. It originally started as an attempt to bring the schools together in a fun environment and to not only share dance talent but also an opportunity to whānaungātanga. SWiS provide a dance tutor for a school term and then at the end of the session each school has an opportunity to put in a team to dance off and demonstrate their learnings.This is the fifth year that the competition has been running and with each year the talent has grown, with this year being no exception the standard of creativity and uniqueness was phenomenal.What was pleasing to see was the influence of Māori culture implemented into many dance routines.Kawakawa Primary School have held the overall

winners trophy for the past four years, and although their performance this year was exceptionally high, they were toppled by Waima Primary School who out of the blue delivered an outstanding performance incorporating drama, music and costume to wow the crowd.Not to diminish the talent of the other schools who entered some fantastic dance teams as a result, most schools went home with trophies. It was pleasing to see whānau come out and support their tamariki and to witness the talent that is within Ngāpuhi.Ngāpuhi Iwi Social Services and SWiS look forward to next years competition which I’m sure after this year’s performances will spur on some new creativity.

Mauri OraBarbara Larsen (SWiS)

Rhythm N Groove Sets New Standard

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NGĀPUHI PEOPLE Ae Marika October 2011MORE NEWS

Scintillating Journey: Opening of the refurbished Mataatua Meeting House

On Thursday September 15 an ope of over 100 Ngāpuhi gathered at Ngāti Kawa Marae in Oromahoe to embark on a scintillating journey of whānaungatanga. The occasion? To travel to Whakatane to celebrate the opening of the newly refurbished Mataatua meeting house. Ngāpuhi taitamariki aged 9-17 years (with a few old hands thrown in there as well) from Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Whangaroa (Ngāti Kura - Matauri Bay), Kerikeri High School (Ngāti Rehia - Whitiora Marae), Taiamai ki Ngāti Hineira (Te Rawhitiroa Marae) and Omanaia School (Ngāti Kaharau/Ngāti Hau – Te Piiti Marae) had been attending wānanga over the previous six weeks. The haka/waiata rōpū was brought together to accept an invitation from Ngati Awa to attend the opening of this historic meeting house as representatives of the descendants of Puhi the younger brother of Toroa who was the kaihautu of the Mataatua canoe. Wānanga were coordinated by Reuben Heihei and Lucy Taurua – Mason. The haka group was tutored by Kihi Ririnui, Timoti and Ziandra Marino, and me.The waiata tautoko sung by our rōpū in Whakatane were Tu ana au i Te Whare tapu o Ngāpuhi, Rakaumangamanga, Ngā Puawai o Ngāpuhi and Tā Kingi Matutaera Ihaka’s waiata-ā-ringa Toro mai. The highlight was performing the Mataatua waka haka taparahi Ko wai ra? in front of the newly opened meeting house on Saturday the 17th of September supported by our Ngati Awa whānaunga.We would like to thank the people of Taiwhakaaea Marae in Paroa for their hospitality and manaakitanga, Te Rūnanga-Ā-Iwi-O-Ngāpuhi for funding assistance and all of our kaumatua and whānau supporters who travelled on this hikoi to Whakatane kia tika ai te korero kia tu tika ai Te Whare Tapu o Ngāpuhi.By Luke Hiki (Tumuaki, Omanaia School)

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Te Rūnanga-Ā-Iwi-O-Ngāpuhi Chairman Sonny Tau (to the immediate right of Rugby World Cup Chief Executive Martin Snedden in the red jersey) got closer to the Webb Eillis trophy than most at this gathering of iwi and business leaders in Auckland to discuss the options provided by the ‘plastic waka’ built to showcase Māori enterprise during the Rugby World Cup tournament.

More photos from the Rūnanga’s AGM at Te Iringa Marae (left and right above) as people listen intently to the korero.

Photo GalleryNEWS IN BRIEFRHYTHM N GROOVEISSUE 29

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JANUARY 29th

Saturday

SUNdayJANUARY 28th &Northland CollegeKaikohe, Mangakahia Rd

STALLS WANANGA ART EXHIBITION TAMARIKI RIDES

ENTERTAINMENT IRON NGAPUHI TRIATHLON Phone: 09 401 5530

ngapuhi.iwi.nz