Here-turi-kōkā / August 2020

In this pānui

Ngāti Hāmua Wānanga
RAMSAR Status to protect Wairarapa Moana granted
Rangitāne Leadership Hui
Rangitāne Portal is LIVE now
Taratahi re-opened
Pūkaha seeking ringatoi-whakairo
AGM and Elections – free bus, food, and giveaways

Ngāti Hāmua Wānanga

Ngāti Hamua is the first subject of Rangitane’s new series of wānanga at Pūkaha. Rangitāne will host a wānanga every month from now until the gifting of Pūkaha back to the nation next year, covering exciting kaupapa such as Taiao, Te Wai, Rongoā and more. The Ngāti Hāmua wānanga will be held on Sunday 30 August. Morning tea and lunch will be provided and this is a whānau friendly event. However, you must supervise your own tamariki.

Registrations will happen in the main foyer at 9am – look out for the Rangitāne teardrop flag. We are adhering to Covid-19 restrictions for Level 2 gathering therefore RSVP by 4pm 27.8.20 to 0800 TUMAIRA or info@tumaira.iwi.nz.

RAMSAR Status to protect
Wairarapa Moana granted

Wairarapa Moana was granted Ramsar status this month, a milestone five years in the making. That means it has been recognised by The Ramsar Convention as a significant wetland that must be protected.

Aotearoa became a party to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands in 1976, and Wairarapa Moana is just the seventh wetland in the country to receive the status. Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage, along with Treaty Partners from Rangitāne and Kahungunu, gathered at Ōnoke in South Wairarapa to mark the special occasion.

The minister acknowledged that wetlands are integral to the health of the land, waterways, plants and wildlife because of the crucial ecosystem services they provide. She also recognised the damage colonisation has had on the moana and, in turn, the people. The new Ramsar status requires the government to manage Wairarapa Moana, protect the values that it has, monitor it, and report to the international convention.

Rangitāne Leadership Hui

Representatives from our five Rangitāne collectives, including Rangitāne Tū Mai Rā Trust, Tū Mai Rā Investments Ltd, Rangitāne o Wairarapa Inc, Rangitāne o Tamaki Nui ā Rua Inc and Te Ohu Tiaki o Rangitāne – Te Ika a Māui, gathered for the first time on Saturday 25 July at Copthorne in Whakaoriori.

The day begun with karakia, introductions and a warm-up activity with facilitator Fiona Wilson. The groups each self-evaluated their current governance, operational processes and outputs before presenting back to the group, where solutions were shared.

This is an exciting time! The five chairs are now working on developing a shared vision and goals so that our collective of groups can work together better and function in a way that will provide the greatest benefit to Rangitāne. Ka nui te whakaute, e tai mā.

X5 chairs

Rangitāne o Wairarapa

Tū Mai Rā

Rangitāne Portal is LIVE now

Last month we launched the Rangitāne portal. The user-friendly interface allows our uri to self-manage registrations, update contact details, and register tamariki. The portal also includes tabs to our funding/sponsorship, pānui, and surveys. You must have an email to access the portal.

Being a registered member allows you to vote in our elections, go hunting on our whenua, receive funding/sponsorship and access our wānanga/workshops and Reo courses. Give us a call to update your details or email us at registrations@tumaira.iwi.nz. Further capabilities will be announced later.

Taratahi re-opened

Taratahi has re-opened its doors after 18 months of closure. The government has invested 1.2 million dollars into the agriculture institute to train more than a thousand people. Its courses in the past were only offered to young people, but the current pool of funding will allow people of all demographics to access the training. The facility can house more than 100 pupils at a time. The courses will be delivered by EIT and UCOL with the main goal to help train jobseekers into primary sector. Rangitāne supported our Ngāi Tāneroa whānau at an intimate ceremony to bless the space and incoming staff and students.

Pūkaha seeking ringatoi-whakairo

Pūkaha is building an accommodation complex that will include a wharenui. There are three carving positions available for experienced carvers and the positions will be on a fixed-term contract for 12 months. It is expected that at least one carver will take a lead role and work closely with Rangitāne Tū Mai Rā’s Cultural advisors Matua Manahi and Matua Mike, as well as a project manager.

The carvers will work on a rotation basis six days a week from Monday to Saturday. The carvers will work in a purpose-built whare, where the public will be able to view them at work. Please indicate your interest by email message to careers@pukaha.org.nz

AGM and Elections –
free bus, food, and giveaways

The combined Rangitāne AGMs are to be held at Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Wairarapa on Saturday November 28, 2020 starting at 9.30am. A bus will be available for whānau who wish to travel from Tamaki Nui ā Rua. Please contact your rūnanga to book a seat. Kaputī will be provided on arrival and packed lunches will also be available to whānau at no cost. Parents will be responsible for the supervision of their own tamariki.

The Rangitāne Tū Mai Rā Trust has vacancies for three trustee positions, so we encourage our whānau to start thinking about who may be able to fill these roles. The desired candidates should understand the roles and responsibilities of governance. The skill sets that we are seeking are legal and finance. It is vital for the future of our uri that we have capable and committed people in these roles which carry considerable responsibility.

Nominations for Trustee positions for the Rangitāne Tū Mai Rā Trust will open on September 14 and close at noon on October 9. All forms will be available on our website or by request to info@tumaira.iwi.nz

A nomination form will be available to all eligible voters so please make sure your contact details are up to date. If you are unsure whether you are registered with the Trust or need to update your contact details, please email registrations@tumaira.iwi.nz or call 0800 Tū Mai Rā (88 624 72). All adult members of Rangitāne are eligible to vote in the election provided that they are registered with Rangitāne Tū Mai Rā Trust. Voting forms will be sent by email and post.

The Waahi Pooti for the election of trustees will be held on the last day of voting on Saturday 28 November 2020 to align with the Trust’s AGM at Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Wairarapa.