Pānui #012
Mihi from the Chair
Mānawa maie te putanga a Matariki, mānawa maie te Ariki o te rangi, mānawa maie te mātahi o te tau. Ngā tini whetū ki te rangi, ka hōrapa ki te whenua. Tiakina mai rā ngā huihui o ngā mata ariki a Tāwhirimātea, Matariki tāpuapua, Matariki haukūnui. Ngāti Pāoa ki tua o te pae o Matariki!
As we have approached Matariki to acknowledge the passing of our loved ones, spending time with whānau, and preparing for the future, I would like to mihi to all those who attended our series of Ngāti Pāoa Hui-ā-Iwi so we can share the content of our Treaty settlements.
Herearoha Skipper - Chairperson
In this pānui:
Hui-ā-Iwi on Treaty Settlement Packages
Initialling the Marutūāhu Iwi Collective Deed
Are you registered?
AUT Building Opening
S186a Temporary Fisheries Closure
Caulerpa Update
Me He Kuaka Reo o te Kāinga
Rental opportunity in Panmure
OWN IT
Ko te kai a te rangatira, he kōrero: Tukutuku
Hui-ā-Iwi on Ngāti Paoa Treaty Settlement Package
Four hui-ā-iwi were held through June to discuss the Ngāti Paoa Treaty settlement package, including what is included in the Marutūāhu Iwi Collective Redress Deed, which Ngāti Paoa are yet to sign.
The hui were well attended with good questions asked and discussion taking place. If you have not already looked at the information provided, please follow this link for the PowerPoint presentation and information sheet, and links to other key documents
Initialling the Marutūāhu Collective Redress Deed
At the Ngāti Paoa Iwi Trust’s board meeting on 16 June 2024, trustees voted to initial and thereby support the Marutūāhu Iwi Collective Redress Deed.
As discussed during the hui-ā-iwi, this decision triggers a ratification process, where the Ngāti Paoa community will vote to agree to support the Marutūāhu Deed, or not. A vote to support the Deed will lead to the completion of aspects of the Ngāti Paoa Treaty settlement package, and the Ngāti Paoa Iwi Trust’s board recommends this outcome.
At the time of writing, the Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations is being briefed on the board’s decision to initial the deed. This will lead to the deed being initialled physically, and arrangements being made to undertake the ratification process itself.
When we have further details on dates, including for ratification hui and voting, these will be provided through special Pānui.
Ratification is a formal matter and Crown officials monitor the process as it takes place. Hui will be held to provide an opportunity for iwi members to discuss the collective deed, and further information will be provided to ensure everyone can make an informed decision. All Ngāti Paoa will have the opportunity to vote (including through special votes if you are Ngāti Paoa and not already registered with the Iwi Trust).
AUT Building Opening
On Friday 21 June Ngāti Paoa opened a new building at AUT’s North Campus, on Akoranga Drive, Northcote. The building has been gifted the name Tukutuku by Ngāti Paoa.
Ngāti Paoa Iwi Trust has been building a strategic relationship with AUT, with a focus on their North Campus, for a few years now. The opening of the building symbolised both the strength of the relationship that has been formed, and the intention to maintain and grow that relationship into the future.
This name Tukutuku is significant for a number of reasons. Tukutuku was the second wife of Paoa, and it is their descendants who expanded significantly across the Hauraki and Tāmaki regions, over time seeing the creation of many Ngāti Paoa hapū. Tukutuku was also renowned for her āhuatanga, as someone loved by her people for her hard work and caring nature.
The āhuatanga of Tukutuku speaks to the purpose and function of the building, which is to house AUT’s Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences. A focus on health and environment aligns with the values and priorities of the Ngāti Paoa Iwi Trust, both as mana whenua of the North Shore area, and with a focus to grow the wellbeing of the iwi and the taiao.
The word tukutuku also refers to the woven panels in wharenui, where multiple strands are brought together – this is evocative of the work that will be undertaken in the new building, and the important relationships that will be formed there.
At the request of the Ngāti Paoa Iwi Trust, Ngāti Paoa artist Janine Williams has worked with AUT on design features of the new building, including the placement of works of art there. Janine’s description of the art features is provided at the end of the Pānui.
Photos (curtesy of AUT) of the blessing opening the new Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences building , which has been gifted the name “Tukutuku” by Ngāti Paoa
S186a Temporary Fisheries Closure
Submissions have closed on the Ngāti Paoa Iwi Trust’s application for an extension to the s186a Temporary Fisheries Closure around Waiheke, which would prohibit the taking of Kōura (Crayfish), Tipa (Scallops), Kūtai (Mussels), and Pāua. The closure works to support the Ngāti Paoa Rāhui already in place. We would like to thank all those Ngāti Paoa who made a submission in support – he mihi nui ki a koutou!
Government officials are currently considering the submissions and will come back with a decision, we hope soon. It is imperative Ngāti Paoa kaitiakitanga is supported, and that we work as an iwi to nurture and support the health of Tīkapa Moana.
Special thanks to MUSA, MPI (Biosecurity NZ), Foundation North, Auckland Council and the Waiheke Local Board, Waiheke Resource Trust, Commercial Dive Specialists, Staniway Marine, and the Waiheke community for their support and continued awhi.
Tēnā tātou,
Since our last update we have had three significant gains for the continued drive to eliminate the invasive exotic Caulerpa from the moana.
The first has been working alongside the National Institute of Weather and Atmospheric research (NIWA) to trial new technologies and techniques in the identification of the Caulerpa.
NIWA has had a team on the moana for the past two weeks testing ROV/TOV (Remote Operating Vehicles), collecting underwater footage and the addition of AI identification. The early signs are great, and the technology is developing more quickly than was initially expected.
To keep our communities up to date with the iwi and community on Waiheke, we hosted a community information day on Sunday 30 June at Piritahi Marae, Waiheke Island.
The second gains has been the development of a rapid response whāriki, in conjunction with our commercial dive partner CDS. These whāriki (previously known as the biodegradable benthic mats) are smaller versions of the original mats. They have been designed to enable a diver to quickly deploy, by using the substrate (sand, shell or rock) to hold the mat in place, rather than weighing it down by chain. These whāriki are ideal when there are sparse populations of the Caulerpa and are much cheaper to produce and for divers to work with.
The photos below show an area before and after the deployment of a rapid response whāriki.
The third gain has been agreement with the Ministry of Primary Industries to fund a scientific project to test and monitor the whāriki over a period of 3 months. The key to this is having different conditions and incursions to test in.
This project is due to commence soon, and the plan is to deploy the whāriki at Waiheke Island, at 3 sites at Aotea/Great Barrier and at Ahuahu/Mercury Islands. The project therefore incorporates our whānaunga Ngāti Rēhua Ngātiwai kī Aotea and Ngāti Hei ki Wharekāho.
We will keep you all updated as we continue to progress.
Mauriora whānau
Blair Anderson
Rapid response whāriki deployed to combat small incursions of exotic caulerpa
Me He Kuaka Reo o te Kainga
Tēnā koutou,
Ko Cherie Rhind tāku ingoa.
I have been on my te reo Māori journey on and off for years since I was a teenager. I suppose, often shying away due to discouragement or a sense of shame in not fully understanding my own language. My grandfather had been disconnected from his tribal heritage. Thereafter two to three generations lost this knowledge.
Thankfully, around about 2021, I had enquired about our ancestry via Ngāti Paoa, noting I was a direct descendant of the Rhind whānau and I learnt of our tūpuna Hera Marara Rapihana. My immediate family have been so elated that we found my grandfather’s tribal roots.
In 2023, I enrolled in the Ngāti Pāoa Me He Kuaka Reo o te Kāinga programme.
Being in the programme enhanced my learning and increased my confidence to say my pepeha. I particularly enjoyed learning about karakia, mihimihi, pepeha and simple conversational language that we can use at home.
We celebrated the small, yet huge achievements, as we progressed together. We completed various wananga learning about our whakapapa, tikanga, kawa, waiata and reo. The beauty of this kaupapa is that we are studying with our whānau who are direct descendants of Ngāti Pāoa.
During the course, our thoughts, kōrero and input into the sessions was welcomed and valued. The kaiako were also considerate and understanding of the different levels of knowledge that we came with. A focus on Māori language planning supported us to identify our te reo goals and our WHY?
Whilst it can be daunting learning a second language as an adult, our online learning classes were made easier because of the whanaungatanga and manaakitanga from the kaiako and the whānau enrolled in the course.
It was heartwarming to feel a sense of belonging to my iwi and I would recommend the online experience to whānau. Ngā mihi nui ki te kaupapa.
Aroha nui ki te whānau.
Kia kaha, Kia Maia, Kia manawanui
Photos from the noho at Piritahi Marae on Waiheke Island, Celebrating the graduating students from Me He Kuaka Reo ō te Kāinga Semester 1 2024
Rental opportunity in Panmure
Ngāti Paoa Iwi Trust has available two dwellings in Panmure, available to be rented to someone from the iwi. One is a three bedroom house, the other is a two bedroom cottage. If you or your whanau are interested, please email Mereana at info@paoa.co.nz for further information.
Both dwellings are near the Mokoia Pā site, where a new park is being constructed, and have good views of the Tāmaki Estuary
OWN IT
Tāmaki Regeneration is seeking expressions of interest from skilled tradies and builders who whakapapa to Ngāti Paoa. Join us to contribute to impactful projects and take advantage of procurement opportunities that uplift our communities while advancing your career. Embrace this chance to collaborate with us in building a brighter future for Ngāti Paoa.
For more information, email caroline.koloamatangi@tamakiregeneration.co.nz
Register you and your whānau today and contribute to the collective strength of our iwi.
By becoming a beneficiary of the NPIT you are kept up to date with what is happening across the rohe, participate in Ngāti Paoa Iwi Trust events, and have your say during important events such as elections and ratifications.
Not sure if you are already registered, want to know the status of you application?
Email your name and DOB to: registration@paoa.co.nz
Ko te kai a te rangatira, he kōrero:
For this Pānui, Ngāti Paoa artist Janine Williams describes the art works developed for the new AUT North Campus building, opened and named ‘Tukutuku’ by Ngāti Paoa.
Me He Kuaka Mārangaranga - The Kuaka that takes flight
Ancient stories identify the migration pathway of the Kuaka (Bar-tailed Godwit) as the guiding path of the great waka journeys here to Aotearoa. With the longest continuous flight path in the world of over 12,000km from Alaska to the shores of Tikapa Moana, the Kuaka is symbolic of the enduring journey of Ngāti Paoa as an iwi strengthening its cultural identity and presence. Celebrating both perseverance and vision, the work draws from tones of the moana captured along the shoreline while motion and movement connect the internal spaces to the natural environment outside. The pair of Kuaka working together in unison brings strength to each other, a picture of partnership as they work together like that of AUT and mana whenua.
‘Ko te kaupapa waka ki te moana hoe ai, ko te kāhui atua ki te rangi rere ai’
Whilst the fleet of canoes over the ocean are paddled and sailed the flocks of gods are above in the heavens flying.
Mā ngā kanohi o ngā uri whakaheke Through the eyes of the descendants
Ancestral waters speak of identity, connection, and to the history of an iwi. Ancient stories of our tupuna arriving by waka are delicately woven into the waves & shimmers of the moana we all enjoy. ‘Through the eyes of the descendents’ is a photographic work captured by descendants of Ngāti Paoa on the shores of their ancestral waters. Their experiences as they interacted with the waves of Tīkapa Moana are captured on film as they swam in the shadow of Rangitoto. The external light box work creates a sense of exploration positioned under the link bridge, like swimming under the waves of the ocean the work captures interactions with an eternal life source that has sustained generations before and generations to come.
Artists: Azariah Williams (20), Aylah Edmonds (14), Genesis Edmonds-Colthorpe (11), Keziah Williams (20), Michaiah Williams (17) & Zharnae Colthorpe 16).
Staffroom photographic series: Moana
A photographic series of still images captured while swimming in their ancestral waters, connecting descedents of Tukutuku and Paoa to their ancestors and stories of old. Taken along the shoreline in view of the staffroom, the gaze out across the whenua to the moana connects the space to the experiences of rangatahi and the power of exploration.
Artists: Azariah Williams (20), Aylah Edmonds (14), Genesis Edmonds-Colthorpe (11), Keziah Williams (20), Michaiah Williams (17) & Zharnae Colthorpe (16).
