Ā mātou kōrero

  The families of Rangitāne o Wairau, the people of the 100 waters of Ruatere—ngā wai-rau o Ruatere, have endured warfare, colonisation, and the alienation of nearly every acre of their whenua.   So when, on a day in April 2009,…

  In 1928, prophet and healer, Tahupotiki Wiremu Ratana, travelled on a pilgrimage to Te Rerenga Wairua.   He was drawn to the far North, seeking enlightenment. During his visit he prophesised that a great light would one day shine out…

    After two hugely successful markets, Te Pātaka o Wairau Māori Night Market is back on Tuesday 5 February 2019 from 4-8pm at Seymour Square! What better way to recognise the signing of Te Tiriti ō Waitangi and celebrate…

  Title Photo: Chris Hillock (Ngāi Tahu) The beautiful azure waters of the Waimea Inlet – on which the village of Mapua resides – reflect a purity and a wonder that can leave you breathless.   And yet within those still…

Over the summer break, our whānau ventured into the Forgotten World.   While it’s only 150 kilometres long, the long winding trail between Taumarunui and Stratford meanders through a beautiful foray into yesteryear.  The shingle road hugs the rugged contours…

  A Love for the People ‘I have one thing that counts and that is my heart.  It burns in my soul. It aches in my flesh and it ignites my nerve.  That is my love for the people.’ –…

   The glassy landscape which forms the home of Ngai Tarewa and Ngati Irakehu was this week our place to gather and reflect on the year behind us.   When Māori first came to Paka Ariki – the bay on…

  Every town has its distinctive markers.   Ohakune has the super-carrot; Paeroa the giant L & P drink bottle; Waioura the gumboot; Carterton a bunch of daffodils. For Ōtautahi, the beauty of mana whenua manaaki is demonstrated through Ngā Whāriki…

Te Pūtahitanga o Te Waipounamu is buzzing that Whānau Ora legend, Jaye Pukepuke, was last night awarded a medal as part of the Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year regional Local Hero Award. The Kiwibank New Zealand Local Hero of…

Te Pūtahitanga o Te Waipounamu, the Whānau Ora Commissioning Agency for the South Island, has welcomed the recommendations from He Ara Oranga, the report of the inquiry into mental health and addiction. ‘”The 219-page report provides consistent and compelling evidence…