This week I had the privilege and pleasure of attending an Enabling Good Lives event in support of Hei Whakapiki Mauri. Hei Whakapiki Mauri conduct regular hui and workshops so that whānau can meet other whānau living with disabilities, and connect to their marae, whānau hapū and iwi. Through Hei Whakapiki Mauri whānau have greater opportunities to take part in the community, engage in whakawhanaungatanga and have an enhanced sense of identity and self-determination. Their belief is that everyone has a mauri – our collective goal should be to see how we can lift the mauri of all.
One of the ways that Hei Whakapiki Mauri has done this is in partnering with Maungarongo Te Kawa to create art and identity craft. Maungarongo Te Kawa is a well-known artist who has been producing fabric artwork for many years and supporting communities to develop their own story by generating artworks, quilts, flags, and murals. The results are breath-taking.
Hei Whakapiki Mauri navigators Waikura and Billy McGregor shared their story of constructing a tangihanga quilt for Hei Whakapiki Mauri to be able to support whānau at such times of need. On their quilt there are symbols of the piwaiwaka; of kawakawa for healing; and the Hei Whakapiki Mauri logo which celebrates diversity.
A celebration of Hei Whakapiki Mauri; Enabling Good Lives; and Ruth Jones!
We heard how the quilting conversation is in itself an opportunity for strengthening connection and identity; for promoting healing; in exploring our stories.
Nga Maataa Waka ki te Tauihu
Our Whānau Ora Champion, Te Ra Morris, had a great catch up with the Navigation Team from Mata Waka in Blenheim this week. It was a great opportunity to meet the new Navigator Amelia Hollman at the front right of the photo.
Dawn blessing, Parerārua / Hauhunga Marae
How very special was it this week for some of our team to be at a beautiful and intimate ceremony to acknowledge and celebrate the newly completed renovations at Parerārua in Blenheim on Wairau Pa Road.
The Eyes Have It
Meanwhile in Otautahi, our Taua and Poua from Tuahiwi and Rehua marae have been cared for by an initiative which is a joint venture with St Georges Eye care and Te Pūtahitanga o Te Waipounamu.
The initiative involved consultations for cataract surgery; cataract extraction; capsulotomy unilateral; IOL implants; treatments and surgery; split 50/50 between St Georges and Te Pūtahitanga.
Below, Aunty Glyn Hunt dancing with joy after the surgery…..
Uncle Trevor Dyke, well respected koro from Rehua Marae.
The two sisters, Aunty Joan Burgman and Aunty Pam Cooke,
And our beautiful Aunty June Kemp of Ngai Tuahuriri; turned 90 on the 1st of June. She was so very appreciative of the opportunity. For Aunty June, this is her second cataract so she was able to share how things have changed since her last one, she mentioned she was not awake for her first one. She will update us all at the next of the month if she can read her Readers Digest better!
Wave 14 in Motion
As we race towards the end of the financial years, all lights are green for go as we strive to get all of our agreements signed off in time. Team Mana Supplies is a business that manufactures piupiu, promotional products and merchandise.
Featured below: Team Mana Supplies director Taukiri Manawatu with Nathan Tau.
Tū Anō Ltd. provides one-on-one support for rangatahi to thrive and strengthen their connections with whānau, hapū, and/or iwi, with support generally spanning across 12 weeks. Rangatahi are encouraged to identify their own goals and the extra support provided helps rangatahi move towards achieving these goals. Whilst support is tailored to the needs of each rangatahi, support is holsitic and modelled on Te Whare Tapa Whā: taha tinana, taha wairua, taha whānau, taha hinengaro. Support helps rangatahi overcome issues like lack of motivation and enhances their connections and support networks.
We are pictured below with Jarreau Whiunui from Tū Anō Ltd
Strategic Hui : Te Taumata and GPL
Our iwi partners and our governance boards came together this week for a wonderful strategic hui – looking at the policy landscape; analysing the emerging trends and agreeing on the strategic direction ahead. We ended with a fabulous hākari provided by Kai Connoisseurs.
National Strategy on Sexual and Family Violence
This week we have been accompanying the Joint Venture Business Unit in their national consultation on a strategy for the prevention and elimination of violence. The hui took place in Te Ha o Kawatiri Westport, Arahura Pa, Hokitika; Otepoti (Scenic Hotel) and Te Rau Aroha marae in Bluff.
Common themes coming through are that whānau are doing things for themselves. There is a strong momentum of whānau for whānau right throughout each of the hui doing the hard mahi of addressing meth, violence, inter-generational incest and abuse. Hard mahi, but very inspiring.
Te Papori o Whakatere
Finally this week, the capability wananga our entities love so much, finished with a spectacular series of ‘pitches’ to reveal the magic of their initiatives.
Star Facilitator, Sacha McMeeking
Tu Mokomoko (Becks Taplin) wants to offer traditional Maori healing including mirimiri, romiromi, and rongoa rakau through wananga and also celebrate significant dates like Matariki. Their vision is to establish a one stop shop and retreat for the community to connect with Te Ao Maori, which will help to strengthen whanau and their connection to themselves, their surroundings and the divine.
A further goal is to help wahine reclaim their mana, their strength, and their integrity. Tu Mokomoko wants to hold powhiri, learn karakia, breathwork, and meditation, body movement, kai, pure and provide workshops following Te Whare Tapa Wha model.
Kiwi Kai Nelson Limited (Reni Gargiulo) prepare and produce healthy and finely balanced kai with exotic tastes and textures. They have a focus on creating almost anything but with a strong emphasis on tupuna recipes. Kiwi Kai Nelson Ltd are well known for fresh produce, kaimoana, quality meats and poultry, which are often sourced organically. They are now at the start of developing a new product. Called Atutahi, this drink that uses a mix of unique flavours traditionally used by Maori as rongoa Maori.
Mana Tahuna Charitable Trust is based in Queenstown. It has been operational since 24 June 2020. It was established as a direct response to the impact COVID-19 was having on the local Maori community. Since then, the Trust has worked to unite the community and provide them with support. The Trust’s vision is to have a healthy, fulfilled, and united Maori community that has a strong voice within the Queenstown community.
The future work programme is orientated around: job creation and reskilling for Tahuna whanau; reducing food poverty and insecurity; cultivating kotahitanga within the Maori community; assisting in upholding the mana of the Maori people in the wider Tahuna area; ensuring Tahuna Maori can fulfil their obligated role as a kaitiaki of the Whakatipu area; assisting in helping Tahuna whanau to strengthen their connection to their Maoritanga; providing opportunities that empower Tahuna Maori and allow them to make positive contributions to their whanau and their communities; ensuring the interests of Maori are considered in situations where it is appropriate; and bridging the gaps in whanau health, especially where health care and appointments have been interrupted during the COVID lockdowns.
