Karanga mai kōanga!

As we farewell winter and move towards the warmer months, we think of all of those who have struggled recently due to cold, increased heating costs, illness or the passing of loved ones. Matariki is a reminder that colder months, whilst necessary, are always followed by new life and increased activity. With spring at our doorstep, there is a lot to be shared with you in this edition of the pānui.

In reviewing activity nationally, it is becoming obvious that iwi are being treated as less of a Crown partner, and more of a stakeholder. Whilst this is worrying, locally we are beginning to make traction with our government agencies as well as other institutions which we engage with including schools, industry and research entities. They are beginning to understand the history of our region and the history of the iwi and Māori entities within it.

Thank you to those who completed our iwi survey. Preliminary results are already having an impact as whānau are looking for the Rūnanga to provide support for whakapapa in particular, as well as an expectation around looking after our environment. Next month in Waikato, we will be holding a whakapapa wānanga with whānau to provide an opportunity for some sharing of Ngāti Rārua history and whakapapa. Details for the wānanga are explained further in this pānui and on Facebook.

We are coming to the end of our audit and pulling together our Annual Report so that you are able to see the activity and performance of the Rūnanga during the 2017/2018 financial year. As always, we are looking forward to our Hui-ā-tau, Annual General Meeting, which will be held on 17 November in Wairau. It is an opportunity to not only present the activity of the Rūnanga, but also an opportunity to come together as Ngāti Rārua and celebrate whānau achievements as well as articulating whānau aspirations for our Rūnanga, our iwi, our whānau and our generations to come.

Aku mihi ki a koutou,
Olivia Hall

This story is part of the September 2018 Ngāti Rārua Pānui. To review the stories in the September edition click here.