Our Stories - Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu

From the CEO
Health is wealth

Another year has rolled around and it seems like it happened quicker than ever – maybe it’s just what happens to your perception as you get older, noting that the clock is ticking. Or perhaps it is a reflection of the number of activities I am trying to cram into my life. We are surrounded by so many cautions to take care of our wellbeing: watch what we eat, watch our blood pressure, become vegetarian, become vegan, get plenty of sleep, exercise, walk, yoga, meditate, mindfulness – the list goes on.

Whenua

Kā Roimata-a-Hinehukatere Kā Roimata-a-Hinehukatere is the traditional Māori name for the Franz Josef Glacier. Hinehukatere was a woman who in ancient times had a passion for mountaineering, but her sweetheart Wawe was not as agile as her.

International Relations

Philip Hewitt describes himself as a “boy from Invercargill”, but a career in international relations means he is more well-travelled than most. Last year, Philip was appointed as Ambassador to Timor-Leste, his fourth international diplomatic posting. But despite his high-ranking position, Philip has maintained his humble Kiwi spirit. When I requested an interview with only a day’s notice he replied, “You know what, I can make that work.”

Never make assumptions

Mental health awareness was huge in 2018, which was fantastic. It’s no secret the classic New Zealand culture of hypermasculinity and keeping a stiff upper lip is a fertile breeding ground for all sorts of mental health woes. Publicity campaigns and heightened general awareness of the issue can only be a good thing.

Māori parliamentary seats – is their time up?

So – are we approaching time up on the Māori seats? I ask this question in light of the efforts of our whanaunga Rino Tirikatene to enshrine in law something precious to us for over 150 years – the Māori seats.

Commercial Fishing – differing perspectives

Ngāi Tahu inshore commercial fishers believe they are being unfairly targeted for the deaths of iconic wildlife species in coastal waters they have fished sustainably for generations. They blame broad-brush campaigns by environmental lobby groups.

A Haka-minded Whānau

Te Matatini is the biggest event in the Māori calendar – a festival like no other that celebrates the fierce spirit of kapa haka with a national competition made up of teams from throughout Aotearoa. This year Te Matatini ki te Ao was held in Te Whanganui-a-Tara from 20–24 February, and one whānau was proud to see six siblings stand across three different rōpū to represent their collective passion for kapa haka.

Attitude matters

In November 2018 Colleen Brown (Ngāi Tahu – Ōraka Aparima) was inducted into the Attitude Hall of Fame at the Attitude Awards, an annual ceremony celebrating the achievements of New Zealanders living with disabilities. Colleen received this honour in recognition of her contribution to the disability sector over the last 38 years, and is determined to use the award to continue to fight for equality and inclusion – and she is calling on her iwi to support her.

Keeping mahinga kai on the menu

Practicing mahinga kai requires intimate knowledge of our seas and waterways – which makes participation difficult for most Ngāi Tahu living in urban centres. The difficulty is compounded by decreasing water quality and increased pressure on our fisheries, denying us and our tamariki the chance to participate in one of our earliest forms of cultural expression. Pere Tainui is a man determined to keep kaimoana on the menu.

Takiwā Tourism

Indigenous tourism has been a particularly fast-growing trend in recent years, with more travellers seeking a meaningful interaction with the traditional culture of the countries they visit. Here in Aotearoa – already a popular tourist destination – more than half of international visitors are likely to take part in experiences where they learn about Maōri culture. This presents an opportunity for flax roots tourism that gives travellers a genuine understanding of the history and values of Māori culture.