Issue 95

NGĀ HAU
E WHĀ
FROM THE EDITOR

It is such a privilege to publish a small
selection of acclaimed photographer Anne Noble’s images from the upcoming Te Kura Taka Pini photographic exhibition – Unutai e! Unutai e! (page 8) opening at the Dunedin Public Art Gallery in May 2025. The photographs have been captured as evidence for the Ngāi Tahu Freshwater Statement of Claim, which commences in the High Court on 10 February. Anne’s stunning
images tell a disturbing and somewhat
overwhelming story of the severity of the
degradation of waterways in the takiwā.
When the Ngāi Tahu Freshwater Claim
was lodged in the High Court in 2020
Te Maire Tau spoke of the importance of
the Claim, saying: “There is something
that defines us as Ngāi Tahu and that’s our
relationship with the awa, our mahinga
kai, our mountains, the land, the waters
and that’s who we are ... If we leave this
too much longer we are going to have a
generation who do not know their ancestors
and our ancestors live on the land.”
This powerful message speaks to
the urgency of taking action to assert
rakatirataka over the things that matter
most, and mirrors the intent of Mō Kā Uri –
Kāi Tahu 2050 shared with whānau at the
recent Hui-ā-Iwi in Kaikōura. At the heart
of this collective tribal vision is the dreams
and aspirations of whānau captured over 18
months. Beautiful in its simplicity, it clearly
articulates a way forward into the future
that gives effect to the tribal whakataukī
Mō tātou, ā, mō kā uri ā muri ake nei – for
us and our children after us while being
informed by and acknowledging the past.
The decisions we make and the actions we
take today will impact the lives of the future
generations – what is the world we will
leave behind? Read more on page 18.
In this issue our Te Ao o te Māori
features the talented Morgan Darlison,
a multi-disciplinary artist whose portfolio
of high-profile public works in and around
Ōtautahi is impressive to say the least –
one of her latest in the new sports stadium –
Te Kaha. Morgan's artworks are a welcome
recognition of Kāi Tahu as mana whenua
in this landscape.
Enjoy the read!
Mō tātou

Nā ADRIENNE ANDERSON WAAKA