.png)
Panui
Translocation of Tuatara to Motu Eco-Sanctuary
9 November 2021
Earlier this month we welcomed five tuatara from
Te Waipounamu to their new home on the East Coast. Gifted by Ngāti Koata and with the help of the Whinray Eco Charitable Trust and Te Papa Atawhai, the return of tuatara to the area is being celebrated by the iwi.
AcknowledgementsTe Aitanga a Mahaki wish to formally acknowledge Ngati Koata for their generosity, sharing their Tuatara so that our future uri may receive the gift of kaitiakitanga of these significant taonga - Hei kura mo Mahaki.
He Mihi – Thank You- Ngati Koata Kaumatua Council- Ngati Koata Trust Board- Ngati Koata Trust Management- Ecoworks New Zealand Limited- The Department of Conservation- Trust Tairāwhiti
He Mihi – Thank You- Ngati Koata Kaumatua Council- Ngati Koata Trust Board- Ngati Koata Trust Management- Ecoworks New Zealand Limited- The Department of Conservation- Trust Tairāwhiti
WAITANGI TRIBUNAL REPORT INTO THE MANGATU FOREST
Statement by Te Aitanga a Mahaki and Mangatu Incorporation - 1 October 2021
Mangatu Incorporation and Te Aitanga a Mahaki are very happy with the Waitangi Tribunal report on the Mangatu forest released today. The Tribunal has recommended the return of 100% of the land claimed and rentals/NZUs, plus 100% compensation for the prejudice suffered by Te Aitanga a Mahaki (including the shareholders in Mangatu Inc), Ngariki/Nga Uri o Tamanui and Te Whanau a Kai at the hands of the Crown.
We look forward to implementing this report and moving forward positively for the benefit of our people. We would like to specifically thank the late Ahorangi Wharehuia Milroy, Dr Anne Parsonson – both of the original Turanga Tribunal, Professor Tom Roa, Tim Castles and the Waitangi Tribunal staff for the huge effort that they have put in over the past decade under the leadership of Judge Stephanie Milroy. E kore rawa e mutu nga mihi.
Wirangi Pera (Chair, Te Aitanga a Mahaki Settlement Committee)Alan Haronga Jnr (Chair, Mangatu Inc)Pehimana Brown (Chair, Te Aitanga a Mahaki Trust)
We look forward to implementing this report and moving forward positively for the benefit of our people. We would like to specifically thank the late Ahorangi Wharehuia Milroy, Dr Anne Parsonson – both of the original Turanga Tribunal, Professor Tom Roa, Tim Castles and the Waitangi Tribunal staff for the huge effort that they have put in over the past decade under the leadership of Judge Stephanie Milroy. E kore rawa e mutu nga mihi.
Wirangi Pera (Chair, Te Aitanga a Mahaki Settlement Committee)Alan Haronga Jnr (Chair, Mangatu Inc)Pehimana Brown (Chair, Te Aitanga a Mahaki Trust)
TE AITANGA A MAHAKI IWI HOUSING INITIATIVE
Wawāhi tahā, kokiri ki mua! "In order to make change we must disrupt" - 28 July 2021
Te Aitanga a Mahaki - led housing initiative here has been hailed a “spectacular” success with plans to deliver 131 relocatable houses to Tairawhiti in coming months.
This morning saw the blessing of the first of those houses, which will be brought to Tairawhiti by a Te Aitanga a Mahaki initiative, led by Pehimana Brown and Willie Te Aho and funded by the government.
Project kaitakawaenga Annette Wehi said the programme would work on a “rent-to-own” basis and provide healthy and affordable houses.
“We went around everyone in Gisborne to see if anyone could build, and of course there’s a 12 to 18-month waiting list because of Covid and just the whole situation.
‘We looked at bringing in cabins but that won’t work for a whole family, so we looked at second-hand relocatable homes.
“Toi Tu Tairawhiti housing is working with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development at the moment and Te Puni Kokiri.”
The project would see a combination of essential repairs carried out to existing homes as well as bring both second-hand and new relocatable houses here.The project, worth “millions”, would be funded through a government grant but because the scheme was rent to buy, the money would continue to fund other whanau.
Associate Housing Minister Peeni Henare said this morning’s ceremony had put a “spectacular” face to those communities making a difference in the housing sector.“This is something that gives us an opportunity to do more because there are places like Kaiti all around the country and we know we have a mountain to climb.”The project also reflected growing partnership between government and iwi.“When we came into government we started working on the Te Maihi o te Whare Maori — the Maori and Iwi Housing Innovation (MAIHI) Framework, which puts Maori and community at the centre of our housing strategy moving forward.“The Budget gave us resources to execute much of that aspiration and we see much of that here today.
“On a broader scale, we have to build ourselves out of the housing crisis. The reality is we are going to have to build ourselves out of this particular challenge. What’s happening here in this part of Turanganui-a-Kiwi is no different to in other parts of Aotearoa. So, we know we’ve got to do it and we can’t do it on our own, we have to do it with community and Te Aitanga a Mahaki and the collective of hapu and iwi gathered here show that if we empower them, they can get it done.”MAIHI Framework for Action sets a precedent for working in partnership with Maori. It requires Te Tuapapa Kura Kainga to work collaboratively across government to support a cohesive and coordinated approach to delivering housing solutions with iwi and Maori.
The programme provides a no wrong door approach for iwi and ropu Maori looking to increase housing supply that attends to whanau needs, prevents homelessness and improves Maori housing security.
MAHAKI MAHINGA KAI RESTORATION PROJECT
26 JULY 2021
Honoured to have Minister of Conservation Kiritapu Allan announce our Mahaki Mahinga Kai Restoration Project today.
“Our vision is to restore the mauri of the Waipaoa, its repo [wetlands] and awa [streams], that once sustained our 12 marae”, said Te Aitanga a Mahaki Chairperson Pehimana Brown. “This project will enable us to work along side each of our marae. Restoring their mahinga kai means protecting biodiversity by controlling weeds and pests and enhancing waterways with riparian and native tree planting. Accredited iwi members will use the Mauri Compass to quantify the improvement in mauri throughout the 3 year project and demonstrate the great return on investment from the Department of Conservation".
Ian Ruru, Project Manager, is looking beyond the lifespan of the project. “My role is to ensure that we exceed contractual expectations and that Mahaki has the depth of expertise for new opportunities.” Kaimahi will undertake formal training throughout the project and become certified Mauri Compass assessors and trainers, thus providing for succession and an enduring legacy. When asked what success looks like, Mr Ruru replied, “the indicator of our success will be a hinaki full of healthy tuna destined for our marae tables.”