Ngā Hau e Whā From the Editor

As we go to print with this issue of TE KARAKA we are yet again reminded of today’s constantly changing world. It doesn’t matter who we are or where we live, COVID-19 is impacting us in some way.
We can’t stop its transmission but we can take the precautions necessary to keep ourselves and our whānau healthy and safe – please take care.

For most Ngāi Tahu the connection to and passion for mahinga kai pulses through their veins – it’s in the DNA. Traditionally the gathering of kai was a huge part of whānau life and survival, and it’s not that different now. Each year when the season comes whānau gravitate to their awa to get themselves a feed of that precious little fish known as īnanga. Sadly, the ongoing degradation of our environment continues to impact negatively on many of our taonga species and whitebait is no exception. There’s no denying there isn’t as much bait around as there used to be, but the government’s recently proposed changes to whitebait management blatantly contravene its legal responsibility to tangata whenua as Treaty partners, and shows disregard for the customary practices that have sustained many generations of whānau. In this issue of TE KARAKA assistant editor Anna Brankin speaks to Ngāi Tahu whitebaiters from around the takiwā to get their views on the matter (page 8).

The age-old practice of grouping students based on ability has been embedded into the education system in Aotearoa for decades despite the wealth of research highlighting just how destructive this practice is for many students – particularly Māori and Pasifika who are most often put in the bottom classes with little or no performance expectation. In Time to raise the gaze (page 18) kaituhi Kim Victoria examines the impacts of streaming and speaks to a couple of teachers who have been bold enough to push for a new and more equitable approach – with resoundingly positive results.

Finally, we hope our readers are inspired by the journey of Nikora Rautahi-Mahuika and the creation of his thriving Murihiku business Georgetown Barbers (page 22). Nikora is testament to the adage that anything is possible and dreams really do come true!

Nā Adrienne Anderson Waaka

Editorial Team

Adrienne Anderson Waaka
Editor

Anna Brankin
Assistant Editor

Diana Leufkens
Sub Editor

Michael Deacon
Sub Editor

Belinda Leslie
Web Editor

Contributors

Tremane Barr
Arihia Bennett
Helen Brown
Shabnam Dastgheib
Ward Kamo
Becky Manawatu
Lucie O’Sullivan
Claudia Prasad
Eden Skipper
Rob Tipa
Daniel Tukiri
Phil Tumataroa
Kim Victoria
Laken Wairau
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 03 974 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 85 published March 2020
© 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 responsible forest management through independent third party forest certification.

Front Cover
John Henry whitebaiting at the Ōpihi River Mouth at sunrise.
Photograph: nā Raoul Butler