Update from Whakatū

He mihi aroha tēnei i te Tau Ihu o te Waka a Māui ki Whakatū –
(Greetings in love from the Top of the South Island – Nelson)

Te pou, te pou Te tokotoko i whenuku Te tokotoko i wherangi Tōkia, tūkia Ko te mumu, ko te āwha Ko te manihi kaiota Tākiri panapana Ka rau i runga ka rau i raro Ka whai tāmore i runga, ka whai tāmore i raro Tēnā ko te Pou Te Pou o Rongo, nō Rongo Mauri ora Ka o a e e

The supports, the sustenance The provision/protection from Papatūānuku Provision/protection from above (Ranginui) The ravages and attack Be that by the wind and the storm From the wind and the storm Ripped up and strewn about Here lie’s the crops pulled up Gathered from above, gathered from the earth Seek what is well rooted from above and the earth This is the support The support of Rongo, from Rongo wellbeing From the O and from and A

We had our first kanohi ki te kanohi hui in a long time on the 30^th of June. We were blessed with Māwhera (Greymouth) joining us as well as five new whānau who associate with the Victory Community Centre – Tino exciting! Lots of robust kōrero and everyone wanted to have their say. We have a starting point for Whakatū. E whakamana ana tātou i a tātou anō mai i te tirohanga Māori i te tuatahi – empowering ourselves as individuals through our Māori culture first and foremost. How this will look and what this will entail will be decided collectively. Nāu te rourou, nāku te rourou, ka ora ai te iwi – collectively with all our desires, thoughts, skills and input our journey together begins. Our next hui is to be held 28 July – Nau mai, Haere mai.

Nō reira e te whānau whānui – kua tae hoki mai te takurua, ā, kia noho mahana ai koutou – winter has arrived, stay warm whānau. Mauri ora.

Sheryl Takiari
Regional Lead

Te Kete Pounamu ki Whakatū