Ā mātou kōrero

I love hearing new words.   This week, at a hui of Māori entrepreneurs the phrase ‘Genetic Maorification’ was dropped into the conversation.   It draws from the concept of whakapapa;  genealogy being passed from one generation to the next and…

OK, I have to admit it, I do love the shimmering harbour of Whanganui-a-Tara.    This was our view on Tuesday this week, when I attended the meeting of the national council of Family Works; the child and family services…

There is a place I return to in my mind when I am looking for a direction. Punakaiki.   A place where the river meets the sea. It is the place we spent holidays in summer, floating on the lilo, swimming…

Children are the living messages we send to a time we will not see. (Neil Postman, The Disappearance of Childhood (introduction), 1982 Mānia Ieremia and Tamairangi Norton, members of the Omaka Honomai kapa haka at the anniversary of the marae…

This week started off in the beautiful paradisal setting of Koukourārata for the scholarship presentation ceremony for Whenua Kura.  Whenua Kura is open to all Māori, with scholarships available for those aged 16-40. It is a learning partnership between Te…

E te rangatira kua ngaro, e te reo o te iwi kua wahangu, e Ranginui, haere, haere, haere atu ra. E te uri o Te Whakatohea, ka tangi te ngakau ki a koe kua kapohia atu e te ringa kaha…

We have been so proud this week, to celebrate with Jade and Wiki Temepara, and their five tamariki, the opening of the Kākano Café and Cookery School. “Jade Temepara grew up in Murihiku/Southland until the age of 18. Here she…

  This week, I was privileged to attend the Toi Tangata Hui a Tau at Te Wānanga o Raukawa in Otaki.   My focus was on the connection between Whānau Ora and Toi Tangata  – The logo of Toi Tangata represents…