2017 Pou Waru Graduates of Te Whare Tū Tauā o Aoteroa. (Paora Glassie second from left and Arama Morunga far right) Photo courtesy of Jonny Scott Photography
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 “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 This Act repealed and replaced the contentious Foreshore and Seabed Act 2004 and this new Act has the stated purpose of restoring and protecting customary interests in the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 |
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