 “Soil and Sand” are a locally owned and operated screen printing and design business established by Stephen and Charlee Taua, which is based in Hukerenui, just north of Whangarei
 Project Managers Moana Henry (front left) and Petina Stone (front right) celebrate with the taitamariki who graduated with NZ Touch certificates at the Rau Ora Celebration at Otetao marae On Friday, 28th April, Ngātiwai Education – Te Au Here O Tūkaiaia gathered with whānau at Otetao Reti Marae to celebrate twenty two Ngātiwai Taitamariki who passed their NZ Touch Referee exams whilst gaining official accreditation and certificates.
This celebration was the culmination of four wānanga that saw these tamariki sit NZ Touch examinations to receive their NZ Touch Referee qualifications. At the recent hui-a-iwi at Otetao Reti Marae on the 4th March, a workshop was held and facilitated by whanaunga and Lawyer, Winston McCarthy with support from Mylie George to give whānau important information on The Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) Act 2011 and what this Act means for our whānau, hapū and Te iwi o Ngātiwai. The Marine and Coastal Area Act came into force in April 2011. This Act repealed and replaced the contentious Foreshore and Seabed Act 2004 and this new Act has the stated purpose of restoring and protecting customary interests in the marine and coastal area. At this Hui Winston explained the need to ensure whānau have all the information they need to make informed decisions about moving forward and the options for protecting their customary rights.  Winston McCarthy presenting information on MACA at our recent hui-a-iwi Prior to the hui-a-iwi Winston and Mylie held a meeting with the Ngātiwai Trust Board to request that the Board support whānau and hapū to lead this process. They also asked that the Board submit a “blanket” claim to cover the areas that may be missed by some whānau or hapū because of the short deadline imposed by the Crown for the 3rd April 2017. The Board agreed this was the best approach and supported this kaupapa. Mylie George says, “Winston and I have been working with a number of whānau over the last five weeks, and we have tried our very best given the short time frame to get all the information out.” Winston and Mylie have held three meetings over the last five weeks, one at Oakura, presented at the Hui-a-iwi in Otetao and a meeting at Wally Murry’s in Ohawini, with a good turnout at these meetings.  Whangaruru whānau hui hosted at Wally and Grace Murray's whare in Ohawini Mylie says, “These meetings have been really good in that we have been able to share some awesome history of each whānau, their stories to each of the bays and islands in their areas and how all the families are connected. This has been a positive part of the process and something which I have enjoyed.” “We supported over nine whānau to help get their applications over the line and want to acknowledge all the families hard work involved. This is also a great demonstration of whānau and hāpu leading this process out with the backing and support of the Board.” “This is not a perfect process, and I question why we should have to prove to the Crown that this is where we have always lived, and these are the customs we have always lived by. But it was important for the whānau to understand that if we did nothing then there could potentially be a great impact on us and our coastline.” “Over the next couple of months the Office of Treaty Settlements will assess all the applications submitted. And for us as Ngātiwai it is important that we utilise this time to hold further information hui on our marae and in homes to inform whānau who missed out because the process that was put upon us was really a “horse before the cart” type scenario. We want to get everyone on board so that whānau feel that they own the process and the korero belongs to them.” “It is very important moving forward that we find a consensus on how we can all best work together. Each whānau and hapū will have their own dynamics to work out, we will look at how to best co-ordinate ourselves when we come together in our different bays and then how we work effectively with the Trust Board.” “We have learnt from the Treaty Settlement process that the Crown’s divide and rule tactic does not serve our people. So let’s take what we have learnt, work together and apply it to the Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) Act. I am pleased that the Ngātiwai Trust Board worked with us on this important kaupapa.” The Ngātiwai Trust Board acknowledges the work both Winston, Mylie and others have done with whānau and hapū to ensure applications were submitted by the 3rd April. The Board is committed to continuing work with whānau and hapū as the Crown and the Court work through these applications via this legislation which has been forced upon us. The set of applications and supporting documents the Board has submitted to the Crown and the High court is now available on our website. You will find these under the "Marine and Coastal Area Act 2011" section of our Resources page. http://www.ngatiwai.iwi.nz/resources.html  It’s official, the summer of 2016/2017 was the fourth warmest and fifth driest summer on record, which was a massive contributor behind the Camp Ground which had a very busy and successful summer. Camp Ground operations manager, Wayne Johnstone says, “We have had a great summer!” “This is our fourth year at Bland Bay, and the usual periods over Christmas and New Years were typically very busy. However we had a couple of last minute cancelations which resulted in a few empty sites, but in hindsight this was actually a good thing as it gave everyone a little bit more space and room for campers to move”. “My wife Tupou and I really enjoyed this year and everything ran very smoothly. This summer season we were actually able to make the decision not to accept bookings from a couple of groups who we found to be very disruptive and rowdy over the last three years while staying with us. We were pleased that their absence actually made for a much more pleasant experience for all the other campers and thus also made it easier for ourselves in the managing of the grounds.”  This summer has also seen the camp ground host a couple of significant events. From Friday 10th February though to Sunday 12th February the Campground hosted over 320 Hash House Harriers from all around the world. The Hash House Harries are an international group of non-competitive running social clubs. They organise events locally and internationally known as a hash or hash runs, with participants calling themselves hashers or hares and hounds. The objective of the Hash House Harriers is to promote physical fitness among members, to get rid of weekend hangovers, to acquire a good thirst and to satisfy it in beer, and to persuade the older members that they are not as old as they feel. With this as their basic motto, it was always going to being an interesting weekend for the camp ground. Wayne says, “The whole area was buzzing with over 320 people staying, having travelled from Australia, America, United Kingdom, Cyprus, Brunei, Belgium, Norway, Turkey and Zambia.” “On the Friday campers started arriving with lots of kegs of beer and a large marquee was erected. A helicopter was on site to give scenic tours which the guests said was just amazing.” After the “Hashers” completed their walk/run event on the Saturday a big party was held in the marquee with local band “Charlotte’s Web” who provided great music for lots of dancing and partying into the early hours.” “The Hash House Harriers were a great bunch of people from all around the world, and they were really well behaved with absolutely no issues or problems. We would gladly have them back again for any future events. This was a fantastic weekend had by all.” From 13 - 24 February the camp ground hosted the Royal New Zealand Navy who based themselves there while carrying out shallow water dive training in the waters near Bland Bay. The training involved 25 Royal New Zealand Navy, 4 Royal Australian Navy and 20 United States of America Navy personnel who stayed at the camp ground for eleven days. Wayne says, “It was great to have the Navy stay at our camp grounds. One highlight was seeing the Navy spend some time showing some of our local tamariki how to use their dive equipment, and to join in a game of touch rugby with the kids. This was a really fun day.” Despite summer being officially over, the fine weather is predicted to continue well into autumn.
Wayne says, “With Easter just around the corner, it is another busy time for us, and then we have a large wedding the week after that. So we look forward to some more great weather to see us through this last period before winter is upon us which signals the beginning of our quiet period. This summer has been really enjoyable for everyone, and Tupou and I feel privileged and honoured to be running the camp ground on behalf of Te Iwi O Ngātiwai.”  Kendell Heremaia (right) and the Logo of Fordham University Kendell Heremaia of Whangaruru is living her dream. On 22nd January Kendell’s whanau gathered at the Auckland International Airport to farewell her on a very exciting journey ahead of her. The destination - Fordham University, United States of America. The kaupapa is a four-year scholarship which she has been awarded at Fordham University in New York. This new journey for Kendell is the beginning of a long held dream of playing basketball in the United States and ultimately to play professionally in WNBA (Women’s National Basketball Association) competition. This is the first step in realising that dream. Fordham University is a private institution that was founded in 1841. It has a total undergraduate enrolment of 8,855 students. At Fordham University it is said that "New York is your campus". With campuses throughout New York City, students live and learn in the thick of an urban experience. This couldn’t be a greater contrast to Kendell’s early years of living in Whangaruru and her foundation in Te O Maori having spent her early years learning at Te Kohanga Reo O Mokau. Kendell is excited and nervous about the future and says, “this is massive for me! I was shocked to receive the email from Fordham University, let alone those I also received from other Universities wanting me to go to their kura. At first I was quite worried about going to America but towards the end of the year I definitely wanted to go."  Waiting at the airport to depart to New York with Dad – Ricky Heremaia (left) and Grandfather Anthony Barber (right) – proudly wearing their Fordham colours It was only two years ago that we last did a profile on Kendell, who at the time, at just 15, had already had a great list of achievements at both regional and international level. Through her participation at an international level playing for New Zealand, she has already seen more parts of the world than most teenagers her age, with her sport taking her to Kazakhstan, Hungary and Australia, to name a few. The talent of Kendell is such that she had four Universities offer her full scholarships, with many others also showing interest. Of the four, North Colorado showed strong interest and had been watching her progress over the past few years. They were disappointed to not secure a scholarship with her, but Kendell and her whanau feel that they have made the right choice in choosing Fordham. The scholarship offered from Fordham covers everything for Kendell, from her tertiary fees, food, accommodation, a small weekly allowance as well as all her basketball gear, shoes and other sports requirements.  Kendell (second from left) is already sitting courtside with team mates and staff, itching to get on the court Her Grandfather, Anthony Barber says, “I am very proud of Kendell, her achievements and what the future has in store for her. It is good for our young people from home to see what she has achieved and to realise that if you want anything in life you have got to work for it. She is disciplined and she trains hard. This is pretty big for our whanau. It all reflects back on the whanau, the hapū and the iwi.” Grandmother, Meri Barber is happy that her Granddaughter has chosen Fordham University and says, “I have my two twin daughters, Connie and Maryella in the USA. Kendell initially did want to move closer to her Aunties by going to North Colorado, but the whanau felt that Fordham was a better option for her. However, it is only a two hour flight from where her aunties are on the West Coast and they will go see Kendell throughout the year. My daughters have been in the USA for over 20 years, so they will look after her over there too, so we are happy.” Kendell says she is particularly interested in studying business and possibly visual arts and is excited at what Fordham has to offer in these areas. Kendell says, “I would like to thank my whanau, hapū and iwi who have supported and helped me get to where I am today. I would love to come home one day and give back to my community in some way to help others.” On behalf of your Ngātiwai iwi, we wish Kendell a safe journey and all the success and experiences that will come her way with her new kura – Fordham University. Well done Kendell!! Ko Huruiki, Matawhaura, Pūhanga-tohorā ngā maunga Ko Mokau, Puna-ki-tere ngā awa Ko Rotoiti te moana Ko Te Uri O Hikihiki, Ngāti Pikiao, Ngai-tu- te-auru ngā hapū Ko Ngātiwai, Te Arawa, Ngapuhi ngā iwi Ko Mokau, Tāheke, Pukerata ngā Marae Ko Te Whenuaroa, Te Arawa, Ngātokimatawhaorua ngā waka Ko Waipu, Te Waata Taranui, ngā rangatira  Touchdown!! Kendell (centre front) meeting and greeting with other students and staff at Fordham University  Taitamariki and whanau have a picture with sporting role model Maioro Barton Ngātiwai Education - Te Au Here O Tukaiaia have begun their next Youth Suicide Prevention Programme called Rau Ora, which has been funded by Te Puni Kokiri. The project is a direct response to the suicide endemic within Te Tai Tokerau. Project co-ordinator Petina Stone says, “This project gives an opportunity for our taitamariki to reconnect with their marae and get back to the core values of Te iwi o Ngātiwai. Yes suicide prevention is the underlying kaupapa of the project, but this kaupapa is about helping our taitamariki realise their potential through sport”. The programme is based around a Pa Harakeke (Flax) model. Using the Harakeke example, this programme emphasizes the importance of every leaf (person) and how each plays an important role in the growth of the Pa Harakeke as a whole whanau, hapu or iwi. In essence, taitamariki will understand the impact their actions have on the rest of the Pa. The name of the project is Rau Ora, which has two significant meanings – To save a life, and Healthy leaves (leaves referring to the leaves of the Pa Harakeke). Rau Ora is a wānanga based programme, with four Wānanga being held on marae in Whangaruru and one diagnostic assessment in Auckland over the next five months. During the series of wānanga, the project team has invited a number of international sporting role models to participate, with the likes of Maioro Barton(Wheel Blacks), Katherine Latu (Silver Ferns), Kylie Leuluai (NZ Rugby League), Manaia Cherrington (NZ Rugby League), Valerie Adams (Olympic Shot Putter), Deanne Carpenter and Megan Maka(NZ Boxing).  New Zealand representative in Athletics and Wheelchair Basketball, Maioro Barton speaks to the Rau Ora Rōpu Ngātiwai taitamariki sporting achievers have also been invited to korero as role models who themselves, have excelled in their sport of choice, with Kewene Edmonds (NZ Waka Ama) and Kendell Heremaia(NZ Basketball). Petina says, “It is wonderful to have these Ngātiwai taitamariki speak to other taitamariki and to participate as role models for our youth involved in this programme. We are also delighted and thankful to have the whole community involved, especially to have the support of haukāinga and kaumātua from Whangaruru who play important roles in this kaupapa”. Upon completion of this project, all taitamariki will have completed an introduction certificate for New Zealand touch referees. They will have the knowledge and ability to referee touch games at any level. They will also develop a range of leadership skills and transferrable skills that will help them become valued members of their communities, and ultimately they will become the future leaders of Ngātiwai. Petina says, “Ngātiwai Education would like to thank facilitators Lance and Fiona Watene who organised and supported our taitamariki to experience refereeing first hand. This was an awesome experience for our taitamariki where they were able to apply their refereeing skills they had learnt.” “With this qualification these taitamariki will be able to assist Mokau Marae with their Marae rebuild touch tournament fundraiser they are a looking at hosting in the New Year. These skills and qualifications will thus be of value to both us and them into the future. “But most importantly when the Mokau marae rebuild project is completed, our Ngātiwai taitamariki will know their place, and they will know they are an important and valued member of their hapū and iwi. “These wānanga will give our taitamariki the opportunity to demonstrate their leadership abilities including time management, taking responsibility, being accountable, role modelling and dealing with change.” Rau Ora Wānanga:
 Project Co-ordinators Petina Stone (left) and Moana-Aroha Henry at the first Wananga of the Rau Ora Programme  Wild Ginger (Hedychium gardnerianum) The wild ginger plant (Hedychium gardnerianum) also known as kahili ginger or ginger lily has been described as one of the greatest threats to our whenua; likened to a forest fire – it destroys everything. It is said to be one the world’s top 100 worst invasive species. The wild ginger we have in New Zealand is a hybrid of Kahili ginger and white ginger, and was first introduced in the 1860’s as a garden plant because of its colourful flowers and fragrant scent. This pest plant loves the warm, wet Northland climate and with a lack of native predators, this plant has now taken a strong foothold over our forests and whenua. This pest plant forms deep dense beds, making it all the more difficult to dig up. The stems have no branches and are erect, growing up to 2 metres tall with large, green, shiny alternate lance shaped leaves. Flower heads are 25-45cm tall with lemon-yellow flowers and red stamens during autumn. The wild ginger plant is a problem in New Zealand because it is shade tolerant, long-lived and hardy, as well as being fast growing. The density of the plant blocks light and smothers native plants, whilst spreading rapidly, thus taking over a forest floor in a very short time frame. Often the plant grows so dense that it becomes almost impenetrable making native seedling germination almost impossible and degrading the habitat for ground dwelling birds such as the kiwi. Wild ginger produces around 100 seeds per flower head every year! As the forest canopy begins to die, ginger is the only plant usually remaining – and this is already very evident around many of Northland’s forests and coastlines, and is now a direct threat to our native kauri forests.  Clive Stone – Kaitiaki and manager of Ngātiwai Trust Board RMU Clive Stone, Kaitiaki and Manager of the Ngātiwai Trust Board Resource Management Unit (RMU) says, “From an Iwi perspective our major concern is with the state of the ginger growth over the past 30 years and how easily and quickly it spreads. Because most of it grows beneath the canopy of the surrounding bush, it has grown unnoticed at such a rapid rate that it has spread throughout some of the major forests within our rohe. We believe that if it is left unchecked, it will eventually take-over and destroy our native ngahere (forests) which, in turn will further threaten the survival of the other native wildlife species within these areas.” Small patches of ginger can be controlled manually or with herbicides containing metsulfiron-methyl, however is only possible in small patches. Studies have shown that the success rate of eradication is significantly reduced with larger ginger patches. A lot of ginger patches are found in dense bush or forestry areas, so the use of herbicides is not possible as it can move through the soil and affect other native plants. Dane Karepu, Kaitiaki and assistant manager of the Ngātiwai Trust Board RMU says, “More investment needs to be made into different methods to control wild ginger. Overseas studies have shown that the most effective tool to beat this dangerous pest is the use of a biological control agent. This is something that is introduced and is a known natural predator of ginger. The idea is that it would reduce the wild ginger population down to a manageable level.” An example of a ginger predator that could be introduced is the Ginger Weevil. This weevil attacks all parts of the plant with larvae which causes damage to the plants roots. This beetle feeds on all species of ginger, including the hybrid species found in New Zealand.  The Ginger Weevil – A known predator of the wild ginger plant and potential biocontrol agent Another example that could be considered is the Ginger Fruit Fly. This fly causes shoot death, stunted plants and flower death. To date, research shows that it completes its life cycle only on wild ginger. New Zealand has a 90 year history of working with biocontrol agents. In the late 1980’s and 1990’s the ragwort flea beetle was widely distributed and is responsible for the decline of ragwort in New Zealand, which was once a common sight in Northland. More recently biocontrol agents have been released in New Zealand to combat the woolly nightshade, Chinese privet and Japanese honeysuckle. Biocontrol’s are a safe and effective management tool – with around 550 agents released worldwide against 224 weed species, with only 8 instances of non-target attack and 7 of those being predicted. Clive and Dane have been working closely with Northland Regional Council, Far North, Kaipara and Whangarei District Councils, Department of Conservation, Landcare Research, Hancock Forest Management and Summit Forests to investigate biocontrol options. A new website is currently being established (www.stopwildginger.co.nz) to raise awareness of the ginger infestation and just how devastating this plant can be in Northland. An interactive map has been developed on the website which has detailed information of the main ginger problems and also allows you to submit your details and relevant sites where you know ginger is a problem. Clive says, “We hope that with raised awareness of this issue, increased funding for better research and smarter technologies to control it, that together as a region, as kaitiaki of our rohe we can get on top of what is probably the single biggest threat to our ngahere and coastline. If you know of any large ginger outbreaks in your area, I urge you to log this information into the online mapping tool on the new website that has been established or feel free to contact me directly at the Ngātiwai Trust Board.” The new website – www.stopwildginger.co.nz, is due to go live in the next two weeks.  Wild ginger is suffocating and restricting the regrowth of our rongoa tipu (native plant life) and other native wildlife species |
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