Te Runanganui o Ngati Porou

Pohatu Poutu

PLEASE TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF, YOUR SKILLSETS, AND YOUR CONNECTIONS TO ROHENGA TIPUNA 1?

He mokopuna ahau i tipu ake i ngā rekereke o ngā pākeke o te kāenga, kāorehā ko taku kuia a Nanny Suey, a Nanny Rangi, Pāpā Honore, Pāpā Tau, Pāpā Rawiri me te kaipukahu noa atu. I whāngaitia ahau e te mātauranga o te kāenga. Tipu ake ahau i roto i te Kōhanga Reo o Te Aotaki. Kātahi i haere ahau ki te kura o Wharekahika mō tētahi paku taima. Ka mutu  i reira, ka haere ahau ki te kura o Whakaangiangi, kātahi ki te kura o Te Waha o Rerekohu, ā, i haere ki TKKM o Kawakawa Mai Tawhiti. Nā reira e hika mā, he mokopuna ahau, i tipu ake i te kāenga. Mutu ana taku mahi ako i Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato, ka whai tohu kaiako ahau. I hoki rawa mai ahau ki te kāenga, whakaako ai i TKKM o Kawakawa Mai Tawhiti. Mohoa noa nei, kua noho ahau i roto i te ao mātauranga. My parents aspired for me to know and understand te reo Māori. As a result I was raised by my grandmother, Nanny Suey, and accompanied her to many of the hapū events. Therefore, I was surrounded by many of the pākeke of my Nans generation who spoke Māori. I was very fortunate to attend Te Kōhanga Reo where Nanny Suey, Nanny Rangi and Nanny Raunikau were all kaiako. I went on to attend most total immersion units within the rohe. By having a strong command of te reo Māori, a curriculum underpinned by all our kōrero tuku iho, that enhanced my understanding of identity. Mokopuna of all our tīpuna within Rohenga Tipuna 1.  

WOULD YOU LIKE TO SHARE WITH READERS SOME OF YOUR PREVIOUS SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITIES OF ROHENGA TIPUNA 1?

From a very young age, I have been an active member at hui on the marae, be it supporting the paepae, attending different hui, and attending wānanga. I have been a teacher at TKKM o Kawakawa Mai Tawhiti. I am currently an education evaluator in the Māori immersion sector. I am a current member of Ngā Marae Kāenga. A group established to promote te reo Māori in the Matakaoa rohe.I am a current board member for Te Aroha Kanarahi Trust. I have served on this board for nearly 10 years. I am currently the delegate to NPECRU for Tokarārangi Sport Club. I attend most kaupapa within Rohenga Tipuna 1. I believe that by being raised at home in Wharekahika most of my life and my lived experiences allow me to be a great advocate for Rohenga Tipuna 1.

HOW DO YOU PLAN TO STAY ACCOUNTABLE TO THE RESIDENTS OF ROHENGA TIPUNA 1? (e.g., the previous representatives would attend marae hui on a monthly basis to keep us updated, would you do the same? What other ideas do you have to maintain accountability?)

I will make a great effort to attend hui to update whānau where and when updates are available. I'm also conscious of our whānau that don't attend hui. So utilising social media to reach a wider audience will also be prioritised. I see most whānau at the shop, or community/sporting events, or hui at the marae - so whānau, mehemea he pātai wā koutou, karawhiu mai. Should whānau have any questions, kaua e whakamā to reach out via social media or out and about in the community.

HOW DO YOU PLAN TO ENGAGE AND REPRESENT MOKOPUNA OF ROHENGA TIPUNA 1 WHO ARE LIVING AWAY FROM HOME?

Social media is a platformed used by many in todays day and age. So where possible, that will be used to reach a wider audience. However, if whānau see me out and about at an airport or a cafe or anywhere, don't be shy to come and have a kōrero. There's nothing like a good old kanohi ki te kanohi catchup.  

WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE IMPORTANT ISSUES FOR ROHENGA TIPUNA 1 AND HOW DO YOU PLAN TO ADDRESS THEM THROUGH YOUR ROLE AS OUR REPRESENTATIVE ON TE RUNANGANUI O NGATI POROU?

To promote te reo me ngā tikanga. Advocating to enhance education opportunities. Protecting our taiao. And being future focused in all decision making. Ensuring that these kaupapa are apart of the boards strategic direction will be a start. Advocating that these kaupapa don't only benefit Rohenga Tipuna 1, but Ngāti Porou as a whole. Once they are apart of the strategic plan, it will be part of Managements responsibility to put them into action. Nonetheless, I will support these kaupapa whole heartedly and other kaupapa that also benefit Rohenga Tipuna 1. 

WHAT IS YOUR POSITION ON A MARINE FACILITY/BARGE PORT IN ROHENGA TIPUNA 1?

I am all for economic development, however, not at the expense of our taiao. As a iwi, we should be looking at environmentally friendly ways to develop our economic wealth so that everyone benefits, rather then just a few. I'm very sure that we have all taken a sigh of relief with the Governments recent announcements regarding this kaupapa. E te whānau, if I'm elected to represent Rohenga Tipuna 1, and this kaupapa resurfaces, you can guarantee that I will advocate against kaupapa of this nature. 

WE HAVE BEEN WAITING THIS YEAR FOR A REO STRATEGY FOR OUR ROHENGA TIPUNA, WHAT CAN YOU OFFER IN TERMS OF SUPPORTING & STRENGTHENING TE REO MAORI ME ONA TIKANGA IN OUR ROHENGA?

I have always, and will continue to promote reo Māori in anyway possible. I am apart of Ngā Marae Kāenga o Matakaoa. This group was formed some years ago when the Rūnanga was encouraging hapū to coordinate their own language revitalisation strategies. Most hapū within rohenga tipuna 1 got together and decided to form a collective group and work together in promoting te reo Māori withing rohenga tipuna 1. I am the representative for Hinemaurea Marae. Pre covid times, wānanga reo were held monthly at each marae within the rohe. Currently, I am leading the review and update of Ngā Marae Kāenga o Matakaoas' Reo Māori Strategy. This should be completed shortly.  

DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING ELSE YOU’D LIKE TO ADD?

Vote Pohatu Poutu, I'll be your go to, and I will get the job done!

Wayne Abraham

PLEASE TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF, YOUR SKILL SETS, AND YOUR CONNECTIONS TO ROHENGA TIPUNA 1?

I am the current Principal at Tikitiki School. I have been in the industry for ten years with the last 5 years being in management. Therefore, dealing with a range of people and personalities is not a new thing to me. I have had to manage people and situations both positive and negative and have tried to do so where all parties mana remains intact. I have made mistakes and am okay owning them.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO SHARE WITH READERS SOME OF YOUR PREVIOUS SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITIES OF ROHENGA TIPUNA 1?

Prior to Covid I was an active contributor of our Toitu Reo Strategy Team in Matakaoa and the Reo Champion of Awatere Marae. Through my current position and passion with basketball, I have run a development program for all ages to try to offer our many talented children other sporting avenues that keeps them and their minds active.

HOW DO YOU PLAN TO STAY ACCOUNTABLE TO THE RESIDENTS OF ROHENGA TIPUNA 1? (e.g., the previous representatives would attend marae hui on a monthly basis to keep us updated, would you do the same? What other ideas do you have to maintain accountability?)

Social Media is one avenue, however he pai kē ake te kanohi ki te kanohi. I am not too sure if a monthly hui would be productive but I would have to wait and get a feel for the position firstly and what the rohenga want.

HOW DO YOU PLAN TO ENGAGE AND REPRESENT MOKOPUNA OF ROHENGA TIPUNA 1 WHO ARE LIVING AWAY FROM HOME?

Social Media can be one tool to engage, however making contact with those in the regional taura here is a starting point.

WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE IMPORTANT ISSUES FOR ROHENGA TIPUNA 1 AND HOW DO YOU PLAN TO ADDRESS THEM THROUGH YOUR ROLE AS OUR REPRESENTATIVE ON TE RUNANGANUI O NGATI POROU?

The sustainability and maintenance of natural and historical resource, where the rohenga has mana to make key decisions on what happens in the rohe.

WHAT IS YOUR POSITION ON A MARINE FACILITY/BARGE PORT IN ROHENGA TIPUNA 1?

I support what key contributors our rohe think is important.

WE HAVE BEEN WAITING THIS YEAR FOR A REO STRATEGY FOR OUR ROHENGA TIPUNA, WHAT CAN YOU OFFER IN TERMS OF SUPPORTING & STRENGTHENING TE REO MAORI ME ONA TIKANGA IN OUR ROHENGA?

Our representative of the rohenga was the only rohenga that went into the hui early this year with a strategy to support and strengthen Te Reo me ōna tikanga in our rohenga. Therefore, we have a lot to offer.

Na Raihania

PLEASE TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF, AND ANY CONNECTIONS YOU MAY HAVE TO ROHENGA TIPUNA 1 – POTIKIRUA KI WHANGAOKENA?

Ko Ana Kaua toku mama no Te Horo me te Akau o Tokomaru. Ko Nolan Raihania toku papa no Uawa, Ngai Tamanuhiri me Rongomaiwahine. Connections:1.  Through my beautiful mother I am of Te whanau a Ruataupare (ki te Tonga).2. I was in Te Araroa (sleeping in my car) lighting fires with ahi kaa whanau on the sea front to protest Petrobas. Very proud to awhi and be part of that action.   

WOULD YOU LIKE TO SHARE WITH WHĀNAU SOME OF YOUR PREVIOUS SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITIES?

In the last few years it has been disaster management bouncing from covid 19 to Hale to Gabrielle flooding and slash, slash and more bluddy slash! Recovery and prevention have been very much on our minds particularly what options there might be for Maori land utilisation. There needs to be more korero about that with our whanau.  

HOW DO YOU PLAN TO STAY REGULARLY ACCOUNTABLE TO THOSE WHO LIVE AT HOME?

Through regular Panui and kanohi kitea being more visible across our rohe. Also I think whilst we have reporting AGM if I am in a position to influence I would like to investigate Hui-a-Hapu to have more regular interaction, guidance and accountability.

HOW DO YOU PLAN TO ENGAGE AND REPRESENT MOKOPUNA WHO ARE LIVING AWAY FROM HOME?

Very important question because more whanau live outside of Ngati Porou than those that are fortunate to live at home. When I look at our fantastic young people and their amazing minds it strikes me they need their own voice and representation. I would want to establish a forum for them to do what they do best!!! We could learn from these young adults.       

WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE IMPORTANT ISSUES FOR ROHENGA TIPUNA 1 AND HOW WOULD YOU PROPOSE TO ADDRESS THOSE ISSUES?

One of my passions is Health. The Runanga has already begun improvements structurally, operationally and with our care packages for Ngati Porou Oranga a new team and a new way of working. However and in saying that I want to understand better the focus for Manaaki Matakaoa. At some future time (and by invitation) would it be possible to hui? Could I come and sit with whanau to get what’s important on your minds and in your lives?  

WHAT IS YOUR POSITION ON A MARINE FACILITY/BARGE PORT IN ROHENGA TIPUNA 1?

I witnessed both Ani and Rei advocating for Matakaoa whanau against the Barge proposal to the point where Ani was emotional with a depth of feeling which moved me. I saw the disgusting behaviour (by video) of the barge supporters towards our wahine and was sickened and angry – how dare they treat our mana wahine like that! My position is that it is the whanau/hapu of which ever rohe that makes decisions for their rohe kei a koutou te korero ma matau te tautoko!!

WE HAVE BEEN WAITING THIS YEAR FOR A REO STRATEGY FOR OUR ROHENGA TIPUNA, WHAT CAN YOU OFFER IN TERMS OF SUPPORTING & STRENGTHENING TE REO MAORI ME ONA TIKANGA?

I am surprised that has not occurred. Our Toitu committee is responsible for the roll out of our Te Reo strategy I will make representation to Toitu and ask the question.