Ngā Hau e Whā From the Editor

“Cultural connection” or “connectedness” are terms used with increasing frequency, but what do they really mean? The reality is that cultural connectedness means something different for everyone, and most largely relates to one’s life experiences. In a Ngāi Tahu context, does being culturally connected mean living in the takiwā and being actively involved in the local activities of the iwi, or can one have a meaningful connection living in the North Island or further afield? With more than 50 per cent of the iwi living outside of the takiwā, this is an interesting consideration. In this issue of TE KARAKA we feature several stories that demonstrate the richness and diversity of cultural connection within the iwi near and far.

The Melbourne taurahere group was set up just a year ago, and is going from strength to strength in numbers and engagement. In those 12 months the Ngāi Tahu Road Shows have visited the taurahere group twice, and they have recently completed their second Kura Reo – the first ever to be held outside the Ngāi Tahu takiwā. Rōpū member Nic Low shares some of the passion and commitment of their cultural engagement in action from afar.

Ward Kamo joins the TE KARAKA team in this issue, sharing the journey of his grandmother Kui Whaitiri and their whānau through the years leading up to the Settlement. Ward’s story (page 9) offers a wonderful first-hand account of the tireless mahi of those at the forefront of
Te Kerēme, righting the wrongs of the Treaty of Waitangi.

And Marlon Williams, the boy from Lyttelton, now based in Berlin and making a big name for himself, shares his views on Ngāitahutanga, what it means to him, and how it influences his music career.

Nā Adrienne Anderson

Editorial Team

Managing Editor
Phil Tumataroa

Editor
Adrienne Anderson

Assistant Editor
Anna Brankin

Sub Editor
Diana Leufkens

Web Editor
Belinda Leslie

Contributors

Chris Arnett
Tremane Barr
Dan Bartlett
Arihia Bennett
Courtney Bennett
Chris Brankin
Gerry Te Kapa Coates
Michael Deacon
Alice Dimond
Ward Kamo
Nic Low
Gerard O’Regan
Mark Revington
Adrienne Rewi
Matt Scobie
Michael Stevens
Nuku Tau
Waipounamu Te Karu
Rob Tipa
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 03 974 0177
Fax 03 365 4424

Send contributions and letters to the editor to:
The Editor
TE KARAKA
PO Box 13 046
Christchurch 8141
[email protected]

© 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 74 published June 2017
© 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
Ngāi Tahu musician Marlon Williams.
Photograph by Justyn Stother.