Kāhui Kaumātua o Rongowhakaata
Kia ora ngā kaumātua o Rongowhakaata Iwi,
Te Kāhui Kaumātua o Rongowhakaata has been functioning for at least 30 years, starting with the goal to provide whakapapa for our rangatahi and future generations. It was also a place for the kaumātua to spend time together discussing issues relevant to their standing and status within the iwi and Te Ao Māori.
Those original ones worked diligently to achieve that goal; unfortunately, the Claims got in the way, and their attention, information, and skills were diverted.
Thirty years later, we have been working at collating the information they left behind. Sadly, some of it was lost due to deterioration, leaving us with only a portion of their initial work. This has been collated, and we are now working on creating a digital archive to be made available to the iwi — still a way to go, but moving ahead.
Activities we have been engaged in are focused around diverse ways to preserve our histories. These have included a hīkoi to Ūawa to revisit those whakapapa ties, and to Te Reinga with our close connections through Ruapani. Hīkoi around Rongowhakaata whenua and marae sites no longer in existence have also been undertaken. We also intend to have wānanga within Te Hau ki Tūranga, looking at the artwork contained therein, with the stories and whakapapa they all relate to.
Other projects include a photo exhibition later in the year, bringing out our old photos and working on stories around the people and the events of the time, with the hope to stimulate kōrero. This will include both static and interactive displays.
We are a small group, busily and happily engaged in our projects, which also include participating in Taikura, the Matatini for Kaumātua, at Te Papa, and a ukulele group.
One of our roles as a Kāhui Kaumātua is to provide support and direction to Rongowhakaata Iwi Trust, to ensure that the mana and integrity of Rongowhakaata are upheld.
We meet on the third Wednesday of every month, at the Native Garden Nursery whare, 56 Main Rd, Makaraka, from 10.30am to 12.30pm, followed by a shared luncheon. This is an invitation to kaumātua of Rongowhakaata to come and join with us.
We look forward to seeing you at our next meeting.
Kia tū rangatira ai a Rongowhakaata.
Ngā manaakitanga,
Hineiromia Whaanga
Chair | Kāhui Kaumātua
Upholding and guiding our tikanga and mātauranga is central to the integrity of our governance. The establishment of the Kāhui Kaumātua ensures this vital role is embedded within the organisation, as recognised post-settlement through its inclusion as a core function in our Deed. Importantly the Kāhui Kaumātua have been providing leadership and guidance for many years and their collective wisdom and experience are the cornerstone of our long-term vision He Tirohanga Whanui.
The Kahui is currently led by Hineromia Whaanga, the Kāhui regularly attend events that support our rangatiratanga, whakapapa and korero.
To join, email communications@rongowhakaata.iwi.nz to be added to the kāhui pānui list.
