Keeping you updated - November 2024

​​

A Significant Year For Our Nation, For Māori, For Our Future

NZ Government – Did you vote?

​

12 months ago on 3rd  November 2023, the majority of the country who participated in the New Zealand General Election voted for the National Party. The National Party didn’t win enough seats to govern alone, which meant that the new government would need to be made up of more than one party. On 24th November the new coalition government agreement was signed between the National Party, ACT Party and New Zealand First. The government is headed by Christopher Luxon, the National Party leader and prime minister, and coalition party leaders David Seymour and Winston Peters.

​

NZ Government – Announcement seen as a frontal attack on Māori

​Within days of their announcement, their 100-day plan was shared with the country. It included that they would remove the Māori Health Authority, Māori wards in local government, Māori involvement in the governance of natural resources, Māori language in government departments, the right of Māori children to be kept in their own whānau, government services being delivered to Māori, Smokefree New Zealand, the jurisdiction of the Waitangi Tribunal, and Māori rights under Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. These statements made by the government coalition were seen by many as a frontal attack on Māori. Iwi leaders announced their disappointment.  Protests began and rallys started to gather throughout the country.

​

Iwi leaders concerned - Māori King invites all to gather

​​On 2nd December 2023, the late Kiingi Tuuheitia, shares his concern about the rhetoric of the coalition government around the select committee review of the principles of the Tiriti o Waitangi. He invites all iwi to a Hui-ā-Motu to gather, korero and unify our efforts.

​

​Kahungunu comes together

​On 16th December 2023, a Hui-ā-Iwi is held at Waimarama Marae. The people of Kahungunu come together to share their concerns and submit their propositions. The hui is co-facilitated by Tiriti o Waitangi Principles expert, Mereana Pitman. Key statements are endorsed by the NKII Board and taken to the Hui-ā-motu.

​

Key Statements Determined

• Ngāti Kahungunu reaffirms that Kahungunu did not cede sovereignty.

• Ngāti Kahungunu has No confidence in the new Coalition Government

• Ngāti Kahungunu will:

  • Determine its own strategy;

  • Support the actions of other iwi/rōpū that align with our own Declaration of Kahungunu Rights; 

  • Work with other groups to protest the repeal of 7AA and the repeal of Smokefree Aotearoa;

  • Insist that councils and government continue to acknowledge and give effect to te mana o te wai, te oranga o te taiao; 

  • Insist upon the continuation of Māori Wards;   

• Ensure our people remain informed through whānau, hapū hui, education, and regular communications.

 

"Our time is now - Kotahitanga is the way" - Kiingi Tuheitia.

​In January 2024, the Hui-ā-Motu is hosted by Kiingi Tuheitia at Turangawaewae, Ngaruawahia.  The experience in Ngaruawahia was positive and the objective was achieved. The key kaupapa of the hui was kotahitanga - a hui for national unity and an opportunity for our people to kōrero and wānanga as we determine our priorities and establish the kaupapa we want to strive for and achieve. "Our time is now - Kotahitanga is the way" - Kiingi Tuheitia.

​

The Hui-ā-Motu involved breakout spaces with the following focus areas: Rangatahi, Te Tiriti o Waitangi & our Environment, Tikanga & Mātauranga, National Unity Focus, Wellbeing of People, and Wellbeing of our Economy. 

​

Sentiments of a King

In his final speech at the Hui-ā-Motu Kiingi Tūheitia said, “The best protest we can make right now is being Māori. Be who we are. Live our values. Speak our reo. Care for our mokopuna, our awa, our maunga. Just be Māori. Be Māori all day, every day. We are here. We are strong” “Remember, today is just day one. Hold on to the hope. Believe in you, believe in us". Kiingi Tūheitia also said, “Let the four winds speak”. He wanted everyone to have the chance to gather and share their thoughts of a united way forward before making a decision on how we would proceed. Māori were encouraged to attend as many gatherings as possible to unite.

​

Encouraged to continue to gather - insist our voice is heard and we are seen

On 6th February 2024 iwi katoa attended the National Waitangi  celebrations in Waitangi. The National Iwi Chairs Forum was also held in Waitangi during that lead up week.  Ngāti Kahungunu held its annual Kahungunu Waitangi Day Event – celebrating nationhood. This years event featured a Kahungunu Wānanga space that allowed kaimahi of Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated to share with the iwi and public what they do to enhance the mana and wellbeing of Ngāti Kahungunu. The day was a huge success.

​

On 22nd February 2024 the National Iwi Chairs Form met in Rotorua to discuss a way forward.  During this hui, leaders agreed that a national hui needs to be held for all iwi to continue to meet and further collaborate and unite our efforts. A Hui Taumata was announced to take place in Kahungunu on 31 May.  Everyone is invited to submit their discussion papers. Click here to view

​

Kotahitanga – what does it mean to you, to me, to us

​​On 26th April 2024, Kahungunu hosted another Hui-ā-Iwi to discuss Kotahitanga and the best way to move forward together.  Here in Kahungunu, whilst Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated is leading discussions and the continuous progress and pursuit of enhancement for Ngāti Kahungunu, there are also 6 Taiwhenua organisations and 7 Post – Settlement entities in Kahungunu, each with their own governance structures in accordance with their own constitutions. Those entities alone have a task to unite efforts. One iwi member challenged iwi Chairman Bayden Barber, that Kotahitanga should be demonstrated by having all of these entities present, sitting together at this Hui-ā-Iwi indicating Kotahitanga, whereas at present he could not see the unity. At this hui it was strongly recommended that the iwi look into developing the following strategies: A Cultural Strategy, a Legal Strategy, a Political Strategy, an Education Research Strategy – to capture and grow future leaders, a Rangatahi Leadership Strategy, a Health Strategy, and a Financial Strategy.  Iwi Chairman took this onboard and suggested that it would be part of the review of the iwi’s 25 year vision. Mereana Pitman urged Kahungunu Whanau to read the Kahungunu Declaration of Independence to understand Kahungunu’s Aspirations. Action – Read it! Click here.

​

Kahungunu Model is presented at the Hui Taumata

On ​​31st May 2024 a Hui Taumata is hosted in Kahungunu at Omahu Marae.  Several Iwi and organisational leads share their ideas and plans. The Kahungunu model is presented to the hui by iwi chairman Bayden Barber. Click here to view the model. The model is based on principles of  Te Whakaputanga, Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Māori Mana Motuhake to drive our aspirations on Te Reo rangatira, mātauranga, taiao, hauora, oranga, wairua and ōhanga.  We believe Māori are in the best position to drive these outcomes through our whanaungatanga, collective strength, community, scale, capability and capacity. These would be strong governors, and political influencers, providing strong leadership and good decision-making to the kaupapa. The Tāhū would include our Monarchs, Mana tuku iho, Hāhi, Sirs and Dames and would provide the tāhūhū guidance to maintain the cultural integrity of the kaupapa. Our hāhi gives the spiritual sustenance needed fulfilling the whakataukī, “ko te amorangi ki mua, ko te hāpai ō ki muri.”     Hei te mutunga iho nō tātou te whare nei. Me mutu tā mātou whakawhirinaki atu ki te Karauna, ā, me titiro tātou ki ā tātou anō, kei reira kē te oranga!

​

Leader group is called to move forward together – ‘Te Amorangi Ki Mua’

From the Hui Taumata, a group of iwi, organisational and interest leads were invited to be a part of the working group to keep moving this kaupapa forward. The group is called 'Te Amorangi Ki Mua' and they meet regularly. Click here to view their media release

​

On 22 October 2024, the last of the ‘four winds’ spoke as they brought together the motu to Ngāi Tahu. The name of that gathering was ‘Te Pūnuiotoka’.

​

Kahungunu hosts iwi events and also national events 

​A number of events have taken place throughout the year that attract Māori whānau such as the 9 Matariki events held in Kahungunu, the Regional Kapa haka competitions held in Dannevirke. hosted by Kahungunu ki Tāmaki-nui-ā-Rua, the inaugural Toitū Te Reo Māori Language Festival hosted by Kauwaka, and the National Waiata Māori Music Awards, a national event. In October/November Kahungunu hosted the National Iwi Chairs Forum (NICF). These were all fabulous events. At the NICF they celebrated the outstanding contributions of four remarkable individuals during a special ceremony. Mavis Mullins (Rangitāne Tamaki nui Ā Rua), Mana Elizabeth Hunkin (Ngāti Kahungunu), Tā Timoti Kāretu (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngai Tuhoe), and Tā Pita Sharples (Ngāti Kahungunu) were inducted into Te Whare Pūkenga at the Forum’s concluding session for the year. This event brought together nearly 300 attendees from across the country to honour their achievements.

​

Toitu Te Tiriti

The nation participated in a Hīkoi mo Te Tiriti, organised by ‘Toitū Te Tiriti’, the hikoi began on 10 November in the North at Te Rerenga Wairua and ended at the Parliament Buildings in Wellington on Tuesday 19 November. ​Many thousands including hundreds of Kahungunu whānau joined in the Hikoi as it converged on Parliament Grounds for its final Activation. It was outstanding – Amazing! Is an understatement.

​

Strengthening Whānau

Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated is continuously looking at ways to strengthen whānau, hapū and iwi. We also look out for our communities. Like during Covid-19, we didn’t just care for ourselves. We cared for all of our communities. We continue to do this through our communications with our people.  

 

Who are we – Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi

Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated is a Mandated Iwi Organisation/Authority. Ngāti Kahungunu is the third largest iwi.  Geographically the tribe has the second longest coastline in the country from Paritū in the North to Turakirae in the South. Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated maintains an independent position to provide research, advice and advocate for the interests, rights, values, beliefs and practices of Ngāti Kahungunu alongside our whānau and hapū. Our mission is to enhance the mana and well-being of Ngāti Kahungunu.

​

Together we are strong 

We have a strong and healthy Governance Board, who by the way are up for election in April 2025 and we have a strong steady operations team. Some of us have been here before cell phones were invented but hey, we are strong and we maintain the Kaupapa – to enhance the mana of our people.

 

This is an excerpt from our Chief Executive’s Annual Report

The last 12 months continue to test the resilience and commitment of the Iwi Tari but it also encompassed the realisation of mahi over the last 5 years with gains made across the directorates of Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi. With the lack of a dividend from our Assets Holding Company in 2022 and 2023 and a contribution to Governance costs only in 2024, Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi has relied on administrative fees gained through funding and commissioning agreements to support the operations of the Tari.

​

These years of restrictions has meant that we have had to adapt, be more creative and consider doing things differently holding on to what is most important to Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi whānau whānui. In 2024 we restored our sponsorships (community and individual) and educational scholarships. A relationship agreement with the Māori Education Trust facilitated by our Chair has (through their contributary funding arrangements with multiple educational institutions), enabled an increase in funding to recipients. Our Events Team continues to look at how we can improve our engagement with our whānau while continuing a frugal approach to funding levels. This year we committed to partner with Kauwaka and Hastings District Council to hold Toitū Te Reo in August 2024. The event was exceptional.

 

Our Mātauranga team continue to work across the educational system to increase awareness of the inequities for our Tamariki and Rangatahi within the education ecosystem, share knowledge and experiences to facilitate increase knowledge of whānau. Te Ao Mārama podcast series documents such lived experiences from various lens through interviews with Kahungunu whānau across a broad range including views on the current political environment. You can find these on our Kahungunu website.  The Mātauranga team is working with Taonga Takiwātanga Charitable Trust to support whānau and the many others who are impacted by autism and neurodiversity.

​

Ngaio and Shade continue to advocate for marae, hapū   and ngā Taiwhenua o Kahungunu to push for better decision making with local & central government and interested parties. Alongside of this they are working with hapū to provide the tools and knowledge to assert their own mana motuhake across their takiwā. The water quality project in Bridge Pa is an example of this where training is being provided and a hub established.

​

Kahungunu Kainga Housing Team continue to provide accommodation relief through the Cyclone cabin programme, delivering 86 of our 100 cabins across our most devastated communities. 14 cabins were handed back to MHUDs to support Maungaharuru Tangitū to provide cabins for their affected whānau of Tangoio. The Team has also taken on the project management and delivery for the Temporary Accommodation Service in Omahu funded by MBIE. The project is scheduled to be completed in November. 34 papakāinga houses have been approved across 9 projects. These developments did not meet the Te Puni Kokiri criteria for various reasons. The Team worked alongside the Whānau Trusts and their chosen developer to get it to a point of viability. One particular project which will house 5 generations languished for 8 years. This project will be completed by June 2025. We are working with TPK, MHUDs and whānau trusts to allocate the remainder allocation of 52 houses. These will be spread across the Hastings and CHB Districts where the tension on housing is greater in our rohe.

​

In Toiora Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi have taken a different approach over the last 5 years. We have actively engaged with whānau to share their lived experiences to inform our conversations with the Crown and the development and design of our interventions. An example of this is Korero Mai Whānau – Undiluted voices of whānau. This obligation to our whānau is one we uphold and honour in everything we do. These stories and engagement with our whānau champions continue into 2024 with the development of Te Paerewa concept in partnership with NZ Police which shifts focus to prevention and care rather than arrest and incarceration. This concept is now well developed, and we continue to work with NZ Police on how it should be applied. The same approach informs the work we are doing with the Ministry of Justice, and the Judiciary under the guidance of Judge Heemi Taumaunu to introduce Te Ao Mārama to the Family and District Court proceedings. A publication capturing the voices of whānau, and their aspirations is on our website Te Ao Mārama Court in Te Matau-a-Māui.

​

Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated is not a provider of services but acts as an advocate, partner and commissioning body (since 2020) working together with our Te Wero partners and Crown agencies to positively disrupt the deficit impact of experiences with the social service ecosystems and apply effective responses to be informed through the whānau voice. Such approaches include Paiheretia Te Muka Tāngata – Kaiarataki service with Te Puni Kokiri, Te Kura Family Harm coordination and in 2024, Te Ara Matua with Oranga Tamariki. To do this we have built significant capability and capacity across the commissioning framework of strategic analysis & assessment, design, delivery, funding agreements, monitor/review and evaluation to support this work.

​

The current political environment has led to significantly increase our advocacy. As an Iwi we have opposed and submitted against the repeal of Section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act, the Fast Track Approvals Bill (locally and nationally through the Taiao team), and the abolition of Māori Wards led by our Chair. Moving forward we will also submit against the Principles Bill and work alongside of the National Iwi Chairs Forum to increase and strengthen the lobbying power of Māori in the continuous fight against the actions marginalising Te Reo, removal of Te Tiriti obligations in Government policy, and the dismantling of Te Mana o Te Wai within the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management.

Looking forward we will continue to advocate for whānau while taking a frugal and cautious approach to how we manage and support our operations.  - Chrissie Hape, Chief Executive, Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated

​

What is your koha to Te Tiriti? What will you do for your culture, for your future?

The Toitū Te Tiriti Hikoi arrived in Heretaunga on the 5th day and it was incredible. Here is an excerpt from a Kahungunu ki Heretaunga mana wahine Mahina Huata-Harawira, who shared this at the rally in Heretaunga as we were about to start our Activation Hikoi through the streets of Heretaunga on Saturday 16 November 2024. “I am a child the movement. I’m a child of those who fought to protest in 1972, those who brought the petition in 1975, the hikoi mo te foreshore and seabed in 2004, and Toitu Te Tiriti 2024” “In my experience as a child growing up in these protests, it has embedded something into my ngakau, my heart, and I have always been true to my Mana Motuhake” “Be true to your Mana Motuhake” “Don’t just turn up for this hikoi and fly your flags around like you’re cool”. “You’re cool all the time”, “You’re cool at your home when you decide to take your kids out of mainstream and take them to Kura Kaupapa” “You’re cool when you learn Te Reo Māori”. “You’re cool when you listen to Te Reo Irirangi” “It is a mental fight”. “We need to start preparing ourselves”. “What binds us all together is that we are all Māori”. “Invite your children to Kura Kaupapa”, “Take up that Reo Class”, “Get over your fears to be Māori”. “If you have to sacrifice, so be it” “What is your koha to te iwi Māori?” “What is your koha to Tiriti o Waitangi?”. “Today we will march, while we are marching, it’s a great opportunity to talk and strengthen ourselves”. "Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini" -  My strength is not of one but my strength is of many”. “Use your voice! "Today, all of our children will become children of the movement” – Mahina Huata-Harawira

​​

Wherever you are today – Your hikoi starts with you.

“What is your koha to te iwi Māori?” “What is your koha to Tiriti o Waitangi?” How can you Be Māori all day, every day?

Celebrate being Māori.

​

Last week former Chairman of Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated (26yrs), Paki Paki resident and Waipatu Kaumātua, Ngahiwi Tomoana was awarded the Te Waka Toi - Ngā Tohu ā Tā Kingi Ihaka | Sir Kingi Ihaka Award. This was in recognition of his lifetime contribution to strengthening the continuity of Māori culture through their support of ngā toi Māori. It recognises his significant contribution to encouraging participation in Māori arts, knowledge of Māori art traditions and practices, and support of Māori arts development. It highlighted his commitment to sharing and passing on artistic knowledge, experience and skills to enrich others. Arts Foundation Icon, Dr Sandy Adsett endorsed Ngahiwi’s award.  What is your koha to te iwi Māori?” “What is your koha to Tiriti o Waitangi?” How can you Be Māori all day, every day? – You can accept being recognised for your achievements. Be Proud of your greatness. Humility is  the quality of recognizing and embracing one's strengths and talents without arrogance or a sense of superiority. It involves having a grounded sense of self-awareness—acknowledging one's abilities and accomplishments, but also remaining open to learning, growth, and the perspectives of others. Humility is about understanding that one's achievements are often the result of both personal effort and external factors, such as support from others like your whānau, your teachers, your mentors, your kids. It involves treating others with respect, showing gratitude, and not seeking validation or admiration for one’s talents.

​

Celebrate being Māori.

Celebrate your successes.

Stand Up, Share your Talents 

E Tū express your abilities

Own your worth, be authentic and use your talents to inspire others

​

RIGHT NOW WHAT CAN YOU DO TO BE MĀORI ALL DAY EVERY DAY?

What is something you can challenge yourself to do. You can stay informed and be aware. Making a difference requires action. ​​​​

Celebrate being Māori - Put in your Submission