Ngātiwai Trust Board

04/09/2024

Ngātiwai to present evidence in the MACA hearings next week

Monday 9th and Tuesday 10th of September Ngātiwai witnesses will present evidence in the High Court Marine and Coastal Area – Takutai Moana hearings. These hearings are open to the public and concern the Bream Bay coast and off-shore Islands (the Hen and Chicks).

We would love to see you there to support our witnesses giving their evidence.

Venue:
Māori Land Court 16-20 Rathbone Street, Whangārei

Time:
Doors open at 10 am each day and the hearings usually finish at 5pm

Livestream access Instructions:

1.Download Microsoft Edge if you do not already have it on your phone/computer
2.Copy and paste https://meet.rcvideo.net into Microsoft Edge (if you don’t use edge it probably wont work)
3.Enter Meeting ID 843263 Passcode: 33669

Nau mai haere mai.

02/09/2024

“While we are currently facing a storm, there’s no need to worry. In this storm, we are stronger together. The wind in our sails is kotahitanga, and with that, we will reach our destination.

The best protest we can do right now is be Māori. Be who we are, live our values, speak our reo, care for our mokopuna, our awa, our maunga. Just be Māori. Māori all day everyday.”

Taakiri Tuu Te Kotahitanga

Kiingi Tuheitia

A big thank you to all our whānau, our rūruhi, our kaumātua who traveled to Tūrangawaewae to kawe i te aroha o Ngātiwai ki te hui mate o Kīngi Tūheitia Potatau Te Wherowhero VII. Our Ngātiwai tira honored our whakapapa ties with the Kīngitanga. Nga mihi nui ki a Tainui Waikato for their manaakitanga.

Rirerire hau Paimārire!

Nāku, nā Aperahama.

30/08/2024

Taka ka Taka
Taka ka Taka
E kapo ki te whetū
E kapo ki te marama
E kapo ki taku raukura kua riro, kua riro, kua riro atu rā
Papa te whatitiri
Hikohiko te uira e kanapu i te rangi
Te tangi rā i runga i te Tohitohi a Reipae
He mūmū tai, he wāwā whenua
Haruru ana te moana i waho i Te Ākau Roa o Ngātiwai e auē atu nei e Kara e te Kīngi e Tuheitia Pōtatau Te Wherowhero te tuawhitu
Haere atu rā

It is with deep sorrow that we acknowledge the passing of King Tuheitia, whose legacy has left an indelible mark on Aotearoa. His leadership, wisdom, and dedication to the wellbeing of all people have been a guiding light for many. As we mourn his loss, we also celebrate his life and the profound impact he had on all our people. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Te Makau Ariki, their children, mokopuna and all those who were touched by his leadership and spirit. May his memory continue to inspire and guide us.

Te Iwi o Ngātiwai have many connections to Te Whare o Te Wherowhero and we will recount those connections when we arrive to poroporoaki King Tuheitia.

Kaua e wareware ki te mai I o kakahu mangu, maua mai he koti, umbrella etc e rite ai tatou. Ka tino muia te marae nā reira kia rite mai, kia u.

Ngātiwai will be travelling by bus to Tūrangawaewae.

Date: Monday 2nd September
Depart Whangarei: 2:30am Kensington Carpark (Helicopter/Ambulance end)
Depart Tūrangawaewae: 4:30pm (returning to Kensington Carpark)

As seats on the bus are limited preference will be given to our Kaumatua and Kuia first.

Please contact Mariu Taua 021545352 to reserve a seat or if you have any pātai.

29/08/2024

Hui Ā Mārama Ki Omaha Marae

29/08/2024

Whangārei District Council Votes To Retain our Māori Ward

Toitū te Tiriti
Toitū te Kotahitanga

27/08/2024

Whangārei District Council Māori Ward Vote 📣

On Thursday, 29 August, the Whangārei District Council will decide whether to retain our Māori Ward.

We will be attending the meeting and rally in Whangārei tomorrow morning at 8:30am and extend a call to all those who are available to join us to support our whanaunga Deb Harding (Ngātiwai, Patuharakeke) and Phoenix Ruka our current Māori Ward Councillors.

As referenced in this video where the Whangārei District Council Deputy Mayor Phil Halse presents at the Hearings on Local Government (Electoral Legislation and Māori Wards and Māori Constituencies) Amendment Bill, Ngātiwai say to you, Whangārei District Council, it is time to stand by your words. You have publicly acknowledged the importance of Māori representation. Now, we demand that you act with integrity and consistency by retaining our Māori Ward.

Disclaimer: We apologise in advance for any damage to your ears due to some of the pronunciation in this video.

Toitū te Tiriti
Toitū te Kotahitanga.

25/08/2024

Wai 3400 The Marine and Coastal (Takutai Moana) Act Coalition Changes Urgent Inquiry

Nau mai e ngā uri o Ngātiwai ki te Tari o Te Taraipiunara o Waitangi ki roto o Te Whanganui a Tara

Ngātiwai presents evidence at the urgent inquiry in Wellington TODAY at the Waitangi Tribunal Offices at 12:25pm.

The hearing can be viewed on the link below:

Please note: This live stream is available on a closed YouTube link which is shared with a controlled distribution list. The use of this live stream does not...

24/08/2024

Matakōkiri Take Ahuarangi | Community Engagement Officer for Climate Change

Join us at Te Poari o Ngātiwai as our Matakōkiri Take Ahuarangi.

You will work closely with the Whangārei District Council (WDC) to develop the Community Climate Adaptation Programme, with the Whangaruru Oakura catchment selected by WDC as the pilot location. The Community Engagement Officer will play a pivotal role in ensuring the future well-being and resilience of the Whangaruru Oakura catchment area.

This role is crucial in guiding the community to proactively develop and implement plans to address and mitigate the impacts of coastal and flood hazards and sea level rise.

Applications close: Sunday 15 September, 5pm

For more information or to apply contact Mariu Taua email: [email protected]

23/08/2024

Mata-aroturuki Wai Māori | Freshwater Monitoring Officers

Join us at Te Poari o Ngātiwai as one of our two Mata-aroturuki Wai Māori Freshwater Monitoring Officers.

In this role you will be responsible for monitoring and protecting the health of our wai, our freshwater, across Te Ākau Roa o Ngātiwai.

This role is crucial in ensuring the sustainability and vitality of our freshwater resources, working closely within our kāinga to uphold the mauri of our waterways and safeguard them for future generations.

Applications close: Sunday 15 September, 5pm

For more information or to apply contact Mariu Taua email: [email protected]

22/08/2024

Ka taka, ka taka
E, ko te mōtoi taringa ka taka
He aha raini tāku e rongo ake nei
He mūmū tai, he wāwā whenua
He tangi rā ki aku mate.
Te tai rā
Te tai rā
Te tai e pari ana ki te puaha o Whangārei Terenga Paraoa. E te Kauri nui o Te Whare Tapu o Ngāpuhi, te rau tapu o Te Parawhau.
Ko Te Akau Roa o Ngātiwai tenei e aue atu nei
Haere e Kara e Te Ihi!

UPDATE
Kaupapa for Matua Te Ihi Tito
Matua will lay at Tangiterōria Marae for the duration of his tangihanga.
Funeral Service: 1:00pm Monday 26 August at Tangiterōria Marae. Burial at Kauritūtahi Wāhitapu, Tangiterōria.
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Matua Te Ihi Tito this morning (23 August 2024). A rangatira, revered elder and respected figure within our whānau, marae, hapū, iwi, and across Te Tai Tokerau. Matua Te Ihi was a beacon of wisdom and strength, guiding us with his deep knowledge of our culture and traditions. His contributions will be remembered, and his absence leaves a profound void. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the whānau during this sad time. As we mourn his loss, we also celebrate his life and the enduring impact he has had on us all. His spirit will live on in our hearts.
Ka tangi ake te ngākau mo koutou ka wehe nei ki tua o pae. Koutou kua tōkia nei te kiri o te anuanu, o te mātaotao, o tēnei mea te mate. Haere e te totara haemata, no ngā pukepuke, kua riro ai koutou ki ngā rua koiwi o te hunga kua para te huarahi mo koutou. Haere ki a koro tau tini mā. Haere ki te tini. Haere ki te mano. Haere ki te whakamatakutanga o ngāi tāua. Kei kōnā rātou e tatari ana. Pikitia ai te pikihanga o ngā maunga whakahī. Kauria ngā wai kaukau a ngā tūpuna i hoehoe ai i ngā waka i te wā i a rātou. Kei te mōteatea tonu ngā mahara mo koutou. Moe mai, moe mai, moe mai i roto i te Ariki.

22/08/2024

Ngātiwai Kauri Seedlings Come Home 🌱

E ai ki nga tupuna o Ngatiwai he teina, he tuakana te Kauri 🌲 me te Tohora 🐋. He taonga, he tupua, he tawhito, he taniwha, he tupuna. Ka mate te tohora ka pae ki uta, ka hinga te kauri ka heke I roto i nga waipuke ki tai. I whakawhiti a raua kiri hiako 🌊

21/08/2024

Ngātiwai Trust Board Hui ā Marama 🌊🌊🌊

Venue: Omaha Marae, Omaha Block Access Road, Leigh 0985
Time: 5:00pm (Dinner 6:00pm)
Date: Thursday 29 August 2024

For more information, please contact Ngātiwai Trust Board: 09 430 0939

20/08/2024

“He terenga tohorā, he terenga tangata”

Today at Tūrangawaewae Marae at a pōwhiri for the traditional leaders and communities of Te Moana Nui a Kiwa during the week-long celebration of the 18th Koroneihana of Kīngi Tuheitia Pōtatau Te Wherowhero VII, Marissa Merculieff of the Aleut Community of St. Paul Island, Alaska, and King Pomare XI of Tahiti added their signatures to He Whakaputanga Moana: Whale Protection and Legal Personhood Declaration.

He Whakaputanga Moana is a declaration that recognizes the inherent rights of Tohorā and seeks to bestow legal personhood to protect whale populations and their habitats through tikanga, rangatiratanga, and legal recognition, community empowerment, and global collaboration. The declaration calls for urgent action to address threats like climate change, pollution, and unsustainable practices to ensure the survival and well-being of whales for future generations.

It emphasizes the deep cultural and spiritual connection of Polynesian peoples to whales, which has been integral to our traditions for generations. It also highlights the importance of Māori and Polynesian values, including customary protection measures like rāhui and marae moana zones, in preserving the health of the ocean and safeguarding whale populations.

Ngātiwai is leading the Te Kauika a Tangaroa whale personhood project on behalf of the Hinemoana Halo Partnership Fund collective, which includes iwi Māori and iwi from Te Moana Nui a Kiwa, in collaboration with the House of Ariki to enhance whale protection.

Ngātiwai has a long association in the protection of tohorā including identifying tohorā as one of our taonga species in the Wai262 claim, championing the protection of our resident brydes whales and Uncle Hori Parata’s work with strandings.

Post the initial signing of He Whakaputanga Moana in March 2024 in Atupare Marae, House of Ariki Estate, Rarotonga, Cook Islands by Kīngi Tuheitia Pōtatau Te Wherowhero VII, Kaumaiti Nui Travel Tou Ariki of the Cook Islands and members of the Hinemoana Halo collective, the declaration gained significant global recognition.

Hinemoana Halo Co-Chair Aperahama Kerepeti-Edwards said this about the kaupapa, “Te tohorā he tupua, Te tohorā he taniwha, Te tohorā he tawhito, Te tohorā he tupuna."

"Our long-term goal is the restoration of Whale populations. To provide whales with certain rights, the right to freedom of movement, natural behaviour, development, cultural expression including language in a healthy ocean” said Hinemoana Halo Co-Chair Lisa Tumahai

17/08/2024

Ngātiwai Kaumātua Kapa Haka

16/08/2024

Kia ora koutou katoa Ngātiwai whānui!

Te Iwi o Ngātiwai welcome the release of Ngā Mātāpono, the Waitangi Tribunal report on the Treaty Principles Bill. We fully endorse the recommendations made by the Tribunal and call on the Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and the coalition government to act honourably and abandon the proposed bill.

Toitū te Tiriti o Waitangi
Toitū te Tino Rangatiratanga
Toitū Te Mana Māori Motuhake

E tū e tatou ma, stand together to uphold the integrity of Te Tiriti and protect the rights and interests of Māori and the integrity of Aotearoa.

16/08/2024

Whangarei 1B: Whangarei South Coast & Islands MACA Hearings Whakatau

10am Monday 19th August 2024

Venue: Maori Land Court (16 Rathbone Street Whangarei 0110) ·

13/08/2024

🤱 Me Piki Tāua Wānanga 🤱

Thursday 29th August 2024, Te Ora Hou (104 Corks Road, Tikipunga), 9:00am - 3:00pm

Join us for our second Me Piki Tāua Wānanga of 2024! Me Piki Tāua is about providing support to māmā, pāpā and whānau in their first 1000 days of life. These wānanga are facilitated by Aunty Deb Rewiri who will share all about pēpi's brain development and those things to remember pēpi's first 1000 days.

We also have Hollie Russell joining us again from Para Kore who lead some hands on learning on how to grow your own micro-greens as well as registering interested whānau to our Kai Ora kaupapa - supporting young whānau to learn how to grow and harvest kai. Encouraging food sovereignty, self-sufficiency, and resilience for our whānau!

Also joining as will be Auahi Kore Whānau Navigators to assist any of our whānau wanting to quit smoking/vaping.

For more information or to RSVP (spaces are limited) please contact Lissa Davies my emailing [email protected]

13/08/2024

Official Opening of the NIWA Recirculating Aquaculture System in Ruakākā

07/08/2024

“We are engaging with First Nations people (Girringun Rangers) learning their way of using ahi to keep their ngāhere clean from pests both animals and vegetation.

We are also privileged to be alongside our Ngāti Kuri whānau learning more about the Girringun country and visit a lot of beautiful areas that have significant meaning to them.”

Kapotai Tamihana (Ngātiwai Ranger)

📸 Ngāti Kuri

07/08/2024

Kua tū ngātahi ngā tai o Te Kaipara me Te Ākau Roa o Ngātiwai 🌊
Toitu te Tiriti
Toitu te Kotahitanga.

06/08/2024

Huihuia tatou ki runga o Mangawhai

Ngātiwai chairperson Aperahama Edwards says doing so would be significant, not just for Northland, but for all of Aotearoa.

06/08/2024

📢

05/08/2024

CALL TO ACTION - MANGAWHAI 📣

Te Iwi o Ngātiwai are deeply disappointed with the decision of the current mayor of Kaipara District Council (KDC) and his supporters to hold an extraordinary meeting to remove the Māori ward seat on council. This is a shameful and unethical action that is not in keeping with Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

We are mobilising to attend the meeting in Mangawhai tomorrow morning to support our whanaunga Ihapera Paniora (Ngātiwai, Patuharakeke, Te Akitai) the current Māori ward representative, and protest this unjust decision.

We will be rallying in Mangawhai before 9am and we extend a call to all those who are available to join us in solidarity to tautoko our whanaunga and remind KDC of their Te Tiriti obligations.

If successful, this will be the first Māori ward to be disestablished in Aotearoa post the governments repeal last week. The decision to disestablish the Te Moananui o Kaipara Māori Ward will take effect for the 2025 and 2028 local elections until a new resolution is made or a poll on Māori representation is held.

Kua tū ngātahi ngā tai o Te Kaipara me Te Ākau Roa o Ngātiwai 🌊

Toitu te Tiriti
Toitu te Kotahitanga.

28/07/2024

Ko ngā tai tuatea nui o Ngāti Manaia
Ko ngā kōpikopikotanga o Te Akau Roa o Ngātiwai
Kei Tuparehuia a Whakatūria e!

A pōwhiri was held yesterday at Hihiaua Cultural Centre to mark the return of the taonga originally sourced from Tūparehuia. The pōwhiri was attended by Te iwi o Ngātiwai me ngā hapū maha. It marks the culmination of three years of dedicated mahi to return these taonga home to our people, and while this may seem like a full circle moment, it is just the beginning.

These taonga, though humble in appearance, exemplify our indigenous excellence, containing many layers of kura huna. The collection includes several hundred registered taonga, alongside numerous specimens of worked bone, stone and other material. The taonga are of an utilitarian nature, including various hōanga (sandstone), matā (obsidian) and one of the finest collections of matau (shell hooks), alongside uhi moko, and taonga pūoro. Also within the collection is an early contact glass trade bead.

Te iwi o Ngātiwai me ōna hapū are privileged to have so many examples of authentic Ngātiwai pre-European taonga that not only reflect our identity as ocean people, but serve as tangible links to our past, representing the fullness of our mātauranga, tikanga, reo, and practices, inherently connecting us to who we are and where we come from.

An agreement between Te iwi o Ngātiwai and the Hihiaua Cultural Centre sees the taonga housed there on behalf of the iwi with the intention eventually to see them return to Tūparehuia. We now commence under the leadership of our tohunga, wānanga to explore and understand in more depth the intricate detail and layers of mātauranga contained in the taonga, as we continue to unlock our collective potential and reclaim, restore and renew our cultural capacity and capability as Ngātiwai.

We actively seek the return of our taonga held in private collections, and encorage those holding them to work with us to bring them home.

26/07/2024

Ngātiwai object to the Raupatu of our Takutai Moana.

Earlier this year, we supported our affiliated whanaunga hapū, Patuharakeke, to secure Customary Marine Title in the Whangarei Harbour Hearings.

Now, the Government has unilaterally made changes to the rules and starved the applicants of funding to access justice.

We have endured 180 years of this oppressive behavior. The Crown continues to assert its mana kawana over our Tino Rangatiratanga. Enough is enough!

Iwi say the Government's plan to make it harder for Māori to get customary rights over the foreshore and seabed is "taking us back into the Dark Ages".

19/07/2024

Postponement: Me Piki Tāua Wānanga 🤱

Aroha mai whānau - unfortunately, our Me Piki Tāua Wānanga planned for next Tuesday, 23rd July 2024 at Ngunguru Marae has been postponed.

This wānanga, aimed at supporting māmā, pāpā, and whānau in the first 1000 days of life, is being rescheduled and we will announce the new date and details as soon as possible.

For more information or any questions, please contact Lissa Davies at [email protected].

17/07/2024

He karanga tēnei ki ngā uri o Te Ākau Roa o Ngātiwai - We invite our people to join us in welcoming home our Tūparehuia Taonga. This historic repatriation is a significant moment for our iwi as we honour our manatunga and ensure their preservation for future generations. Following kai, we will wānanga on relevant kaupapa such as WAI 262 and Ngā Pakiaka o Manaia. E ngā whanaunga, nau piki mai, nau kake mai, haere mai!

13/07/2024

Ko Manaia, ko Pukekauri ka tārehu e!
Ka taka, ka taka
E ko te mōtoi taringa ka taka
He aha raini tāku e rongo ake nei
He mūmū tai, he wāwā whenua
He tangi pea ki āku raukura
Kua riro, kua riro, kua riro atu rā

Kua tauātia ngā maunga whakahī o te marangai ki te kohu. E auē ana ngā tai o Te Ākau Roa o Ngātiwai i te rironga atu o te Rangatira nei a Paraire Pirihi i te ata nei.

He uri a Paraire nō Te Patuharakeke otira no ngā hapū huhua o Ngātiwai. He hautupua ia nō tōna kāinga matua o Takahiwai. He kanohi kitea huri i te rohe. He kaumātua rangatira i aroha nuitia e tana iwi.

Te Poari o Ngātiwai extend our deepest aroha to our Pirihi whānau in this time of immense sorrow. Matua Paraire’s leadership and unwavering commitment to our people will be profoundly missed.

10/07/2024

Public Statement: Ngātiwai Trust Board Announces the Return of Taonga to Ngātiwai

Ka ara mai a Matariki, ka ara mai a Puanga, ka mānawatia a Puanga, ka mānawatia a Matariki! As we approach the end of Pūanga and Matariki, and this period of reflection and celebration, Te Poari o Ngātiwai is pleased to publicly announce the return of taonga from Tūparehuia (Bland Bay, Whangaruru) to Ngātiwai.

The return home of these taonga which were housed as part of a private collection, follows three years of extensive discussions undertaken by a dedicated team including Simon Mitchell, Keatley Te Moananui Hopkins, Aperahama Kerepeti-Edwards and Rōpata Diamond.

The collection includes several hundred registered taonga, alongside numerous specimens of worked bone, stone and other material. The taonga are of an utilitarian nature, including various hōanga (sandstone), matā (obsidian) and one of the finest collections of matau (shell hooks).

“We express our deep distaste for the manner in which these taonga were originally taken from Tūparehuia. However, we acknowledge the efforts and significant personal sacrifice of the current holder in bringing them back to Aotearoa, as well as his commitment to engaging with us, ensuring their return to their rightful home with Ngātiwai.” Simon Mitchell, Interim Raukura CEO.

In May, under the guidance of tohunga Te Warahi Hetaraka, our kaumātua convened a hui to determine the kaupapa for the return of the taonga, including their temporary home until they can be permanently returned to Tūparehuia. Our kaumātua also agreed to explore opportunities to enhance the accessibility and educational potential of these taonga, recognising their immense educational value.

"Repatriations like this are vital as they contribute to our broader efforts to revitalise our cultural identity, ensuring that the knowledge and traditions of our people are preserved and passed on to future generations." Aperahama Kerepeti-Edwards, Chairman of Te Poari o Ngātiwai.

The return of these taonga is a profound moment for Ngātiwai. They are a materialisation of the mātauranga tuku-iho of our tūpuna. This return is an opportunity for re-connection, not only with the taonga themselves but with the forms, undertakings, and underpinning pūrakau of our tūpuna.

We invite our people to join us in formally welcoming home the Tūparehuia Taonga on Saturday, 27th July, at Hihiaua Cultural Centre. This gathering will be a significant moment for our iwi, as we honour our tuku ihotanga and ensure the preservation of our taonga for future generations.

ENDS