Four of the Whakauae team recently attended He Pukenga Wai Symposium in Whanganui for the celebration of the tenth anniversary of the signing of Ruruku Whakatupua, the Whanganui River Deed of Settlement. The celebration consisted of two days, starting with “Te Mana o Te Iwi” a day for hapū and iwi of Te Awa Tupua only. The day opened with ruruku at Te Whakaniwha, Pūtiki slipway followed by breakfast at Memorial Hall. Attendees were then treated to inspirational speakers who spoke about their experiences as activists for change. The kōrero was led out by Sheena Maru, the chair of Ngā Tangata Tiaki o Whanganui, who reflected on the rewards and challenges of the last 10 years, also acknowledging all those people, past and present, who contributed to that journey. She was followed by Sister Makareta Tawaroa who spoke of her lived experience of fighting for the emancipation of the river, lands and people. Other speakers included Ani Mikaere, Pou Whakatupu Mātauranga at Te Wānanga o Raukawa and Kirsti Luke, CE of the Tūhoe Iwi Authority who spoke about what it takes to achieve potential and real transformational change. The afternoon consisted of a presentation by Rāwiri Tinirau and Te Morehu Whenua, a tamariki and rangatahi environmentalist rōpū associated with Rānana Marae, who have been undertaking grass roots research on Moutoa Island. Later, participants were able to attend three separate breakout sessions in relation to: Te Pūwaha - revitalisation work at Port Whanganui, Ngā Hau e Wha - community-based nursery and Mouri Turoa - riparian planting along the awa. The day concluded with a formal dinner.
The second day, “Ngā Manga Iti me Ngā Manga Nui” was open to the wider community and started with a formal address via video link from Te Pou Tupua nā te Awa appointees, Keria Ponga and Turama Hawira. In addition, Gerrad Albert, chair of Te Kopuka nā te Awa Tupua (the Awa Tupua Strategy Group) shared his insights from the previous day’s kōrero. This was followed by a stimulating panel discussion led by Hinurewa Poutou articulating the concepts underpinning Te Pā Auroa (the Awa Tupua Framework) and Te Heke Ngahuru (the Awa Tupua Strategy). Next, a further series of revolving workshops was delivered. A highlight for Gill and Mel was the session presented by their niece Kahureremoa Aki, project chair for Te Puwaha. Kahu is a legally trained barrister and solicitor who talked about her aspirations for the future, as a māmā, as project chair and as an iwi member. Another highpoint was the presentation on the published work Beyond Legal Personhood from Miriama Cribb, Te Atawhai o Te Ao. At the conclusion of the workshops, Nancy Tuaine, CEO of Ngā Tangata Tiaki o Whanganui spoke about what aspirations the iwi had for the next 10 years. The symposium ended with closing remarks from Sheena Maru. Both Nancy and Sheena continue to work tirelessly on this kaupapa.
Further information can be found on https://www.ngatangatatiaki.co.nz/for-your-information/news-and-events/he-pukenga-wai-whanganui-river-symposium-2024/
or on their Face Book page https://www.facebook.com/ngatangatatiaki
Four of the Whakauae team recently attended He Pukenga Wai Symposium in Whanganui for the celebration of the tenth anniversary of the signing of Ruruku Whakatupua, the Whanganui River Deed of Settlement. The celebration consisted of two days, starting with “Te Mana o Te Iwi” a day for hapū and iwi of Te Awa Tupua only. The day opened with ruruku at Te Whakaniwha, Pūtiki slipway followed by breakfast at Memorial Hall. Attendees were then treated to inspirational speakers who spoke about their experiences as activists for change. The kōrero was led out by Sheena Maru, the chair of Ngā Tangata Tiaki o Whanganui, who reflected on the rewards and challenges of the last 10 years, also acknowledging all those people, past and present, who contributed to that journey. She was followed by Sister Makareta Tawaroa who spoke of her lived experience of fighting for the emancipation of the river, lands and people. Other speakers included Ani Mikaere, Pou Whakatupu Mātauranga at Te Wānanga o Raukawa and Kirsti Luke, CE of the Tūhoe Iwi Authority who spoke about what it takes to achieve potential and real transformational change. The afternoon consisted of a presentation by Rāwiri Tinirau and Te Morehu Whenua, a tamariki and rangatahi environmentalist rōpū associated with Rānana Marae, who have been undertaking grass roots research on Moutoa Island. Later, participants were able to attend three separate breakout sessions in relation to: Te Pūwaha - revitalisation work at Port Whanganui, Ngā Hau e Wha - community-based nursery and Mouri Turoa - riparian planting along the awa. The day concluded with a formal dinner.
The second day, “Ngā Manga Iti me Ngā Manga Nui” was open to the wider community and started with a formal address via video link from Te Pou Tupua nā te Awa appointees, Keria Ponga and Turama Hawira. In addition, Gerrad Albert, chair of Te Kopuka nā te Awa Tupua (the Awa Tupua Strategy Group) shared his insights from the previous day’s kōrero. This was followed by a stimulating panel discussion led by Hinurewa Poutou articulating the concepts underpinning Te Pā Auroa (the Awa Tupua Framework) and Te Heke Ngahuru (the Awa Tupua Strategy). Next, a further series of revolving workshops was delivered. A highlight for Gill and Mel was the session presented by their niece Kahureremoa Aki, project chair for Te Puwaha. Kahu is a legally trained barrister and solicitor who talked about her aspirations for the future, as a māmā, as project chair and as an iwi member. Another highpoint was the presentation on the published work Beyond Legal Personhood from Miriama Cribb, Te Atawhai o Te Ao. At the conclusion of the workshops, Nancy Tuaine, CEO of Ngā Tangata Tiaki o Whanganui spoke about what aspirations the iwi had for the next 10 years. The symposium ended with closing remarks from Sheena Maru. Both Nancy and Sheena continue to work tirelessly on this kaupapa.
Further information can be found on https://www.ngatangatatiaki.co.nz/for-your-information/news-and-events/he-pukenga-wai-whanganui-river-symposium-2024/
or on their Face Book page https://www.facebook.com/ngatangatatiaki
