From the Editor

Nga hau e wha
Mark Revington

There’s a sense of renewal in this issue of TE KARAKA, appropriate given that it is spring.

In Tā moko rising, we talk to nine Ngāi Tahu who have chosen to receive moko on their faces.

Wearing moko on your face takes great commitment. As Ōtautahi master carver and tohunga moko Riki Manuel (Ngāti Porou) says, it is an indelible part of how the world sees you as a person.

This is the first time TE KARAKA has sought to present personal stories like these. They make for powerful reading. Each tells of their personal journey and I thank them for their honesty and generosity.

We start a series on te reo champions by featuring Lynne-Harata Te Aika and her son Henare. Together they epitomise efforts being made to ensure te reo Māori survives in the modern world. When Lynne-Harata was at high school in the 1970s, learning te reo Māori wasn’t an option. Son Henare, 21, was brought up speaking te reo from birth.

“I think the exciting thing about Henare and other young people is how they have short-circuited the process and learnt the language in a really short time” says Lynne-Harata. “I am envious that he was able to do that but it is still the start of the journey.”

To our Hei Mahi Mara columnist Tremane Barr, our thoughts and aroha are with you. When his column (page 44) arrived in my inbox, I wept. It is hard to fathom just what Tremane has been through since diagnosed with cancer in his pancreas and liver earlier this year. His account of just what he faces is upfront and heartbreaking. I am pleased to say that Tremane appeared back in the office a few days ago and he is looking well. Must be the (very restricted) diet of seeds, nuts and vegetables that Tremane says is like chicken feed! I wish him many more years of gardening.

nā Mark Revington

Managing editor
Phil Tumataroa

Editor
Mark Revington

Sub editor
Faumuinā F. M. Tafuna’i

Sub editor
Diana Leufkens

Web editor
Simon Leslie

Contributor
Tremane Barr
Tom Bennion
Tony Bridge
Raoul Butler
Diana Clement
Gerry Coates
Shar Devine
Deborah Diaz
Jeff Evans
Keri Hulme
Tiaki Latham-Coates
Greg Meylan
Tahu Potiki
Charisma Rangipunga
Adrienne Rewi
Kāhu Te Whaiti
Rob Tipa
Phil Tumataroa
Fern Whitau

Design
La Fábrica Design Studio

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