From the editor

Ngā hau e whā
Mark Revington

Take a close look at the photo on the cover of this issue. The wahine toa challenging the Minister of the Crown as he bends down to pick up the taki. That scenario hasn’t been seen for hundreds of years, if ever.

I am picking that it will resonate for years to come. There was plenty of discussion around here about whether or not to put that particular image on the cover but in the end, how could we turn away from something that is likely to endure for years?

Not everyone agrees with the concept of a wahine performing the wero, of course, but when questioned, the usual response is that it is the business of Ngāti Waewae what they do on their marae. And if their tradition is a wahine doing a wero, then that is their business. Of course there are grumbles, mainly from older generations, and more conservative elements.

Does that make it right or wrong? Again, that is the business of Ngāti Waewae and as Tā Pita Sharples says, if the wero is performed correctly, then kei te pai.

A taiaha, or māipi, is a weapon of war, he says. Once, everyone would have known how to use one, with varying degrees of skill. Women were adept in the use of taiaha because it was a matter of survival.

Te Amo Tamainu has been training in mau rākau for years. This isn’t someone who will prance about waving a māipi around in an unschooled fashion. She knows what she is doing.

She is channelling her tīpuna, and setting an example for future generations. I particularly like her story about being approached in a mall by a little girl who comes up and asks for an autograph. Te Amo isn’t big-headed when she tells the story; more aware of the historic aspect of her challenge.

The pebble has been tossed into the water and the ripples are spreading outwards. Only time will reveal their impact.

Editorial Team

Managing Editor
Phil Tumataroa

Editor
Mark Revington

Sub Editor
Diana Leufkens

Web Editor
Belinda Leslie

Contributors

Tremane Barr
Arihia Bennett
Tom Bennion
Shar Briden
Tony Bridge
Liz Brown
Raoul Butler
Diana Clement
Beck Eleven
Layna Hunt
Keri Hulme
Nic Low
Matt Philp
Huia Reriti
Adrienne Rewi
Moana Tipa
Rob Tipa
Maatakiwi Wakefield
Fern Whitau

Design
La Fábrica Design Studio

Advertising
Pam Graham: [email protected]

Printing
Spectrum Print – Blue Star Business

Publisher
Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu
PO Box 13 046
Christchurch 8141
Phone 03 366 4344
Fax 03 365 4424

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Te Karaka
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© 1995 The entire contents of Te Karaka are copyright and may not be reproduced in any form either in part or in whole without the written permission of the publisher. All letters addressed to Te Karaka will be assumed intended for publication unless clearly marked “Not for Publication”.

Opinions expressed in Te Karaka are those of the writers and are not necessarily endorsed by Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu.

Issue 66 published June 2015
© Ngāi Tahu Publications Limited
ISSN N0. 1173/6011

Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu has used Blue Star Group, which is an FSC® certified print supplier. The paper used for this publication is FSC® certified, promoting sustainable forest management through independent third party forest certification.

Front Cover
Courtesy Te Kāea, Māori Television.

Te Amo Tamainu challenges Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Chris Finlayson at Arahura Marae; right, Dave Brennan, Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu events manager.