Potiki Poi Founder, Georgia Latu, taking the stage in the Māori Fashion Extravaganza at the Gala dinner
At the opening of the 2021 Whānau Ora Symposium in Otepoti, I referred to the ageless lyrics of local band, Six-60, Kia mau ki tō ūkaipō; Kia mau hoki ki tō whānau, as a fitting anthem to launch this wonderful event.
Don’t forget your roots, don’t forget your family, don’t forget your roots – the ones who made you.
The ones who made you strong; who made you unique;
The ones who made you in the best image of all they dreamed about.
Over the course of three days we sang with gusto, we laughed with joyful recklessness as we embraced long-lost friends that we hadn’t physically connected with since lockdown; we cried as raw truths were shared; we feasted on barista coffee and exquisite gala dining; we marvelled in awe as our rangatahi leadership captivated our imagination; we reflected; we remembered; we were united in the wonder that is Whānau Ora.
There are so many highlights; so many keynote addresses that enthralled and inspired us. It was a celebration of entrepreneurship; of courage and creativity; of the belief in whānau that makes magic happen. We sang happy birthday to Whaea Tariana – acknowledging also the 11th year birthday since the day that Whānau Ora was announced as a core government priority on 8 April 2010.
We were so appreciative of the visionary leadership and presence of Te Runaka o Ōtākou; of Upoko Rangatira Edward Ellison; and the magnificent Mama and Papa of He Waka Kotuia; Paulette Tamati-Elliffe and Komene Cassidy.
From the moment we walked in, the amazing Michelle Branford and our team of champions (Ati, Sharon, Jahkaya and Kata) greeted us with a smile, and the Symposium was on!
It was wonderful to catch up with our friends from right across Te Waipounamu – from close at hand (the Corstorphine Hub) up to Waikawa Marae and Wairau in the whare.
Members of the GPL : Simon Heath, Rebecca Mason, Ta Mark Solomon, Trevor Taylor and Taua Sally Pitama. During the hui, we recognised five years of stirling dedication to Te Pūtahitanga from Trevor, both as member and Chair.
Gena Moses-Te Kani and Rebecca Mason; a Ngati Kuia takeover.
I was particularly delighted to see our Dame Taua Aroha with us; our esteemed board members from Te Taumata and GPL and our MP for Te Tai Tonga, Rino Tirikatene.
Our beautiful Whaea Molly, so very proud of her haututu boys, Madison Henry and Vincent Egan; who provided the final keynote (Maui Studios)
Bobby Luke, Te Puawai Wilson Leahy, Dominic Blake (Campbell Luke designs)
Our fabulous Toihi Mahuika-Wright, rocking the fashion stage, wearing Ema-Lea Phillipps
Our own fashionista moment: with Maania Farrar and Vania Pirini
I was so proud of our staff who were so energised by the amazing momentum that whānau demonstrate right across the motu
We were delighted that Waitaha Health Chief Executive Bill Eschenbach and Māori Health Advisor/Kaihautu, Pari Hunt were with us for the whole time
Taria and Pikiora representing Te Tauihu / Manawhenua-ki-Mohua with pride
Cazna Luke of Mokowhiti enjoying a year off!!! (with our baby Aewa and Jahkaya carrying the next generation so beautifully)
Where it all began
The magnificent team from Maui Studios – Hera, Gonzalo, and Caleb who pulled a couple of all nighters to come up with our highlights videos
And that’s a wrap….2021 Whānau Ora Symposium …
Kōanga Kai
A major announcement at the symposium was about the Kōanga Kai initiative which is all about ‘self-determination and sustainability’ around Maara Kai. This will enable marae and whānau like ours to be provided, not only with tuakana-teina and physical resources but more importantly to add to our tikanga Māori me mātauranga Māori kai kete.
Alpine Fault
Up in Te Tauihu, our Pouwhakataki, Kahutane Whaanga, was invited to participate in a CDEM Alpine Fault Magnitude 8+ earthquake Exercise this week.
CDEM pulled together a full team including Iwi support. Kahutane was put in both the Iwi and Welfare teams and was able to support the co-ordination of social and health services.
Royal Honours Nominations – Queen’s Birthday 2021
Nominations for the Queen’s Birthday Royal Honours 2021 remain open. We encourage you to put forward someone who you feel is worthy of this recognition. Royal Honours are a way to recognise exceptional people in your communities, across the Whānau Ora sector. Nominations can be made here
Sister Sister
Sister, Sister Limited aims to build connections for small businesses and non-profit organisations through digital strategies and communication spaces, enabling for a greater online presence, marketability, and content/media management for whānau. In an uncertain COVID-19 environment it has become apparent that small businesses and organisations require online tools and resources; we recognise that this can support the sustainability and longevity of their ventures.
Te Pūtahitanga o Te Waipounamu has invested in Sister Sister to support further development of their business plan. Have a look at their website : it’s pretty exciting.
https://www.sistersister.nz/what-we-do-2
This week they had a magnificent event in the Tūranga (library) in Christchurch, chaired by Anton Matthews @fushorebro; with celebrity influencers and movers and shakers, Courtney Manu (@themanuss) Miria Flavell (@hinecollection) and Matt Brown (@sheisnotyourrehab).
Pictured, the magnificent founders of Sister Sister, Ngaroma Crown and Sarah Brown; with Jahkaya, Mihi-Rose, Tanita and Hora.
