Kei ngā uri katoa o Te Atiawa nō runga i te rangi, tēnā rawa atu koutou katoa.

Maramatoru has been so full that we have another edition of Hauwhenua this month. This includes stories on the Whānau Pool Day, whānau engagements, Riri me te Raukura, a Ngā Poutahua Ā-Tau reminder, congratulations to Te Poihi Cambell and Ngā Purapura o te Taihauāuru, welcome to Emma Park, Ngāmotu House on Te Reo o Te Uru, congratulations to Bonita Bigham, and upcoming events.

If you have any queries, we invite you to contact us and for up-to-date information, remember to check our website and 'Like' our Facebook page.  

The Waitara Pools were bursting with families enjoying our Whānau Pool Day on Sunday. Mihi to our whanaunga from Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Mutunga, Te Kāhui Maru, Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Tama, Te Kāhui o Taranaki and our kaimahi who came together to support the day for our uri.

Whakawhaunangatanga was the aim of the day, bringing together our people with pool activities, bombing competitions, ice-cream, a sausage sizzle fundraiser for Te Uru o Te Rangi, and topped off with awesome tunes from Aaron Davey.

Thanks to all who joined us. Kia mau te wehi!

Today our kaimahi completed their final of a series of Te Pūtahitanga o Te Atiawa engagement sessions within our rohe. For the last four weeks, eight separate hui were held in Waitara, Puketapu (Bell Block), Ngāmotu (New Plymouth) and Te Kōhanga Moa (Inglewood). This was an opportunity for the team to answer questions around Education and Te Hononga Grants, registrations, any other pātai and to have a good ol' catch up!

Te Kotahitanga Powhakarite Pūtea Tautoko / Grants Manager Raymond Tuuta has enjoyed connecting with whānau. "It's been great to see our familiar Te Atiawa faces and to meet new whānau who are keen to reconnect with their iwi and Te Atiawatanga," says Ray.

Another important outcome has been listening to whānau feedback and aspirations. More engagement opportunities are planned and we look forward to bringing these to you later in the year.

On 17 March, the significant Te Riri Me Te Raukura took place at Owae Marae. This year's commemorations coincided with the first birthday celebration of the dining room Ko Tama Wāhine.

Approximately 40 people attended this year’s event, representing hapū, iwi, community and our whanaunga from Waikato who have been attending for many years. 

The event began with the dawn ceremony at Te Kōhia, followed by a journey to the Waitara Cenotaph near Waitara Central School and the War Memorial Hall. Those who attended then returned to Owae Marae, where they were welcomed into Ko Tama Tāne as the renovations on Te Ikaroa ā Maui are still in progress.

The event concluded with a parakuihi in Ko Tama Wāhine, symbolising unity, resilience, and the importance of coming together as a community to honour our history and heritage. 

Last week our Pouwhakakori / Project Manager Te Poihi Campbell (pictured) received a prestigious honour at the Te Whāiti o Te Tai Hau-ā-Uru Reo Māori Awards 2024. This accolade honours and celebrates his commitment and revitalisation of te reo Māori. 

Te Poihi has a deep dedication to his people and our language. His unwavering presence in our communities ensures te reo Māori not only survives, but thrives across marae and around our Maunga Taranaki. 

Tū koe e Te Poihi Campbell nō mātou ngā iwi o Taranaki te maringa nui, tō kaha, tō mahaki, tō aroha, tō manawanui, tēnei te mihi Rangatira kia koe.

Congratulations to Ngā Purapura o te Taihauāuru who placed second overall at the Te Kāhui Maunga Whakataetae Kapa Haka ā Rohe / Te Kāhui Maunga Senior Kapahaka Regionals recently held in Te Hāwera. This roopu will join four other groups (Te Reaenga Morehu o Ratana, Te Kura Nui o Paerangi and Ngā Waihotanga) to represent Te Kāhui Maunga at Te Matatini Festival held in Ngāmotu in February 2025.

Congratulations to all roopu, with a special mention of Te Aiotanga o Houkura who performed for the first time! A huge mihi to our southern whānau for hosting this awesome event.

We would like to welcome and congratulate Emma Park (Te Atiawa ki Taranaki, Whanganui-a-tara and Te Tau Ihu) who was recently appointed as an observer on our Te Kotahitanga o Te Atiawa Finance, Audit and Risk Committee.

Emma (pictured) is a descendant of Te Rangi-a-Huta Park, son of Terenui (Puketapu hapū), and Pare-Merenako daughter of Hoani Kita Kita (Puketapu hapū) and Oriwia (Tawhirikura hapū). She is a busy māmā of two tamariki with her husband Shenan (mokopuna of Sonny Hughes and Noti Tamati) by her side.

Emma is a Fellow Chartered Accountant and a member of the Institute of Directors. She has held has held various financial accounting positions in her career and is currently - Pou Hāpai / Chief Financial Officer for Te Korowai o Ngāruahine. Emma is also a long-standing Trustee of Ngāti Rārua Ātiawa Iwi Trust (NRAIT) based in Motueka.

Nau mai haere mai e te whanaunga!

Congratulations to our whanaunga Bonita Bigham (Taranaki, Te Atiawa) who has embarked on a year-long Fulbright scholarship in Hawaii.

While there, Bonita (pictured) will work on her PhD, researching legislation and conventions which impinge on indigenous harvesting of marine mammal resources (including whale bone) for artistic purposes.

• Sunday 7 April - Our Te Kotahitanga o Te Atiawa Ngā Poutahua Ā-Tau / Education Scholarships and Grants close.
• Tuesday 9 April, 2.30pm - 5.30pm - We invite whānau to watch the first Parliament reading of the Taranaki Maunga Settlement with us from Ngāmotu House, New Plymouth. Please RSVP to comms@teatiawa.iwi.nz
• Friday 17 April - A school holiday tamariki event. Watch this space.
• Early May - Our first Te Iho Tangata publication will be posted to the homes of our registered members.
• Friday 17 - Sunday 19 May - Te Kāhui Rangatahi o Te Atiawa Wānanga
• Thursday 30 May, 6.00pm - Hui-a-iwi. Join us at Ngāmotu House or watch online as we share the activities and milestones reached over the last six months.

We have a lot of exciting kaupapa planned for 2024 and to ensure we can continue to contact you, it's important we have your current contact details.

Click here to update your details

To make sure we have your most up-to-date details, you can also give us a quick call on 06 758 4685 or drop us an email at registrations@teatiawa.iwi.nz