TE PRONGO

An update from the Chief Executive

07
Hkihea / December 2011

E ng mana, e ng reo, e ng uri o Ngti Rangitihi whnui - tn koutou katoa. Over the past month we have made steady progress against the objectives set out in our strategic plan and we continue to develop a robust organisation to deliver on the Trust kaupapa. As you all know, I have been mandated by the Board to support the achievement of our kaupapa: Kia t ora ai a Ngti Rangitihi i runga i tna ake Rangatiratanga m ake tonu atu (To enable Ngti Rangitihi to flourish in perpetuity supported by their unique self- determining capabilities) This month we welcome two new members to our team; Kura Paul-Burke as Environment Manager and Brenda Haimona who is completing her work practicum as part of her studies towards a diploma in Social work through Anamata Private Training Establishment. We are still recruiting for an experienced and fluent Te Reo Program Manager to manage our Cultural and Education strategic objectives. More information can be found in the About Us/Job Opportunities section of our website. In November, we held our Annual General Meeting at Rangitihi Marae where we presented our Annual Report for the year ending 30 June 2011. The AGM was a great opportunity to hear from our people on a range of issues. We will be posting the minutes from the AGM and additional information that was requested by some people at the hui on our website. For those who couldnt make it to the AGM, copies of the Annual Report are available from our office. Please contact our office if you would like us to send you a copy by mail or email. Alternatively you can view and download the report through our website. The final of the Rangitihi Kai Tahi series was held in conjunction with our AGM. Celebrating with a Christmas theme, Kai Tahi this year has provided a welcome opportunity for our people to come together, enjoy our beautiful marae and strengthen our whnau relationships. The first of the 2012 Kai Tahi series will be held on Sunday 19 February. Another initiative the Trust looks forward to building and strengthening into the new year is the Maara Kai initiative. As food prices continue to rise many people are looking for more sustainable ways to provide for their whnau, and it is encouraging to see the continued support from the local Matat community for this project. Located at Kui Marrs homestead on Pollen Street, the communal garden has provided many with a hands-on experience on how to restore and utilise our whenua by relearning our traditional gardening practices. We will be posting images of progress to date on our website shortly. One of our major environmental projects of the past year has been the drafting of our Iwi


ISSUE

TE PRONGO
An update from the Chief Executive
Environmental Management Plan. This plan has now been completed and once it has been filed with the Whakatane District Council and the Bay of Plenty Regional Council, it will become part of the legal planning framework that the Councils will have to consider when making resource management decisions in our rohe. The plan provides a platform for Ngti Rangitihi to assert greater influence in important environmental issues in relation to our lands, rivers and environment and brings us to the consultation table as of right alongside the other major iwi in the Eastern Bay of Plenty. You can view the plan in the environment section of our website in the new year. Toma Mason has been working hard down in Wellington all year on the Kputu Taonga project which has seen him trawling through Archives NZ extensive collection for any items relating to Ngti Rangitihi. We are currently working on the best way of presenting the results of this fascinating project so that all Ngti Rangitihi can learn, explore and enjoy the amazing taonga that Tomas hard work has unearthed. We will bring you more on this in the new year. Te reo course Kinga Krerorero has wrapped up for the year and I am very pleased to hear that there is great interest amongst our ahi k for the return of this course in the new year. We are now taking registrations of interest for the 2012 intake, with the first class taking place in February. For more information please contact our office or visit our website. Another popular te reo course strongly supported this year by the Trust has been Toi te Kupu. To cap off a successful year both Matat and Ohope classes came together for a final wnanga at Rangitihi Marae at the start of the month, giving students an opportunity to further their knowledge and increase their understanding of te reo and tikanga Mori. Toi te Kupu will conclude on December 13, with next year promising to be even bigger and better. Keep an eye out on our website for details about next years course. I would like to congratulate one of our Trustees Merepeka Raukawa-Tait, on winning the Rotorua District bi-election on November 17. Merepeka was well ahead of nearest rival candidate Brett Marvelly in the race for the Rotorua District Council seat and was officially sworn in on November 29 at the Rotorua District Council chambers. Merepeka continues to provide a shining example of servant leadership. As part of our communications efforts we now have three regular newsletters that are circulated to our members. Iwi Insights is a weekly E-Pnui that serves to inform our members on any urgent news and events that affect Ngti Rangitihi. Te Prongo is now a monthly E-Pnui that will focus on progress made by the Trust and its staff in ensuring we deliver on the objectives set out in the strategic plan for the benefit of Ngti Rangitihi. Kawerongo will now be distributed to our members and key stakeholders on a quarterly basis, with the next issue due out this month. Ideas and suggestions on how we may continue to improve our current communications are welcome. Tanira Raureti is now responsible for our database, which includes management of our registration processes. A Validation Committee has been setup up with the support of Dr. Cathy Dewes. The committee will be responsible for the validation of all new registrations received by the Trust. The past year has been one of investment in a sustainable future. Progress has

07

H k i h e a / D e c e m b e r 2 0 1 1

TE PRONGO
An update from the Chief Executive
been made in developing a platform for delivering on the stated priorities of our people. We still have some way to go no doubt but with your help we are moving in the right direction. Thanks to all of you who have provided support and feedback to the team throughout the year. I am looking forward to the new year, which will bring the continuation and expansion of our reo and cultural revitalisation programs, a commitment to playing a role in cleaning up the Tarawera River, safeguarding our whenua, providing health services for our kaumtua, and encouraging whanaungatanga through the Kai Tahi 2012 series. Supporting the education of our people will be one of our new priorities with the introduction of educational support for rangatahi by mid-2012 and looking further ahead, the establishment of a Ngti Rangitihi Festival by early 2013. We continue to welcome any Ngti Rangitihi iwi member who has ideas and a passion for serving their iwi to contact us and discuss how we might support your kaupapa. This is clearly what is needed at this time; people who are willing to ask not what the iwi can do for them, but what they can do for their iwi.

ISSUE

07
Hkihea / December 2011

Kia tau ng manaakitanga o te runga rawa ki runga i a ttou katoa i tnei w o te Kirihimete. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all. Nku iti noa, n

Nick Alexander CEO / Thh Rangap Phone: +64 7 322 2452 Mobile: +64 27 870 7627 Email: [email protected] An important footnote: My deepest sympathies go out to those within our community and the wider iwi who are unwell at this time. We send out our aroha and whakaaro to you and your whnau during this difficult period. Kia kaha, kia mia, kia manawanui.