The role of Maori in improving Maori health, economic development, social outcomes and the protection of children is to be discussed at a major hui to be held at Christchurch’s Lincoln University from 1 – 5 Nov.

Hui Whakawhanaungatanga is the third such biennial meeting to be held, following hui at Mangere in 1996 and Porirua in 1998.

“Our work this year comes at a particularly important time for Maori,” says hui spokesperson Aroha Reriti-Crofts.

“The government is working on its Closing the Gaps strategy and there is significant attention on preventing Maori violence and child abuse and on the need to improve Maori health and wellbeing. Discussing ways of building the capacity and capability of Iwi will also be a focus of the hui.”

The range of Maori participants is very wide, says Mrs Reriti-Crofts. “There will be grass roots people straight from Iwi and communities talking about what they are doing to address these issues. There will also be social workers, community workers, policy makers and representatives from Iwi business development. We will all be united in whakawhanaungatanga to talk about how tikanga (guiding principles for Maori practice) can help address these issues.

Mrs Reriti-Crofts says the hui will also look at how mainstream and Maori services should develop to complement the role of tikanga in improving outcomes for Maori.

“There is plenty of talk about how Maori need to take ownership of the health and social issues affecting tangata whenua and to look for solutions that work for our people.

“The hui is a key opportunity for social workers and others attending the gathering to look at how they can support that process. Whakawhanaungatanga itself means the way of implementing whanaungatanga or the best way for families to operate.”

The hui will be attended by government ministers, Tariana Turia, Sandra Lee and Parekura Horomia. A political forum will be held on the Saturday of the hui promoting solutions towards “Closing the Gaps for Maori – Strategies for beyond 2000”.

Some of the keynote speakers include Sir Paul Reeves, Rose and Joe Pere, and Merepeka Raukawa-Tait. Groups will also be presenting keynote sessions such as Te Ngaru (trainers in kaupapa Maori) and Ngati Raukawa presenting a programme about use of waka taua (canoe) in a healing process for young people.

The original whakaaro (thought) behind the formation of the national Hui Whakawhanaungatanga was:

“Kia kotahi ai i nga mea katoa o te tangata, kia kaha tonu i te whanau, kia mau tonu ki nga mohiotanga mai i nga kete e toru, kia noho tika te whakahaere, kia kaha tonu te Mana Tangata (To humbly gather and share the generations of wisdom and knowledge, to enhance and progress our families, while retaining our tikanga).”

The guiding theme of this year’s hui is Ture Wairua, Ture Tangata, to provide a focus for hui participants to reflect upon and discuss the lore of spirituality and how this relates to the lore of people. Mrs Reriti-Crofts says, “we look forward to spending this time with you as we take in all of the spiritual wonders of our people, culture and traditions as we enjoy Te Ture Wairua as being the fortitude and focus of Te Ture Tangata.

Note for News Editors/Chief Reporters

Journalists are welcome to attend the open sessions and workshops of the hui. Much of the discussion at the hui will be te reo Maori and media organisations should bear this in mind when sending staff to cover the event. Those journalists that speak te reo Maori or understand tikanga concepts will be in a better position to understand the dialogue.

The organisers ask media to be sensitive to the fact that very personal issues may be discussed by participants at the hui and that permission to report on these matters should be sought.

Attached, is a draft precis of the keynote speakers and times of key events at the hui.

Media contact:
Aroha Reriti-Crofts (Ngai Tahu) 03 365 8109 mobile 025 221 2704
Maru Stirling (Whanau a Apanui, Ngai Tahu) 03 389 7167 mobile 025 364 788
Tahi Takao (Ngai Tuhoe) 03 337 7500 mobile 025 314 802
Kiwa Hutchen (Whanau a Apanui, Ngai Tahu) 03 379 7733

Noho Ora Mai
Arohanui

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Hui Whakawhanaungatanga 2000
Te Wai Pounamu

Wednesday 1 November 2000

2.00pm Powhiri
7.00pm Karakia
Whakawhanaungatanga Hui participants move into facilitator led
Waka Groups for Whakawhanaungatanga session
Facilitators: Amiria Reriti and Tuari Dawson

Thursday 2 November 2000

9.00am Karakia
A Theatrical Drama depicting “Ture Wairua, TureTangata”
Te Whanau o Aranui
9.45am Key Note Speaker – Ta Paora Reeves ,
“Ture Wairua, Ture Tangata”
Key Note Speaker –Moana o Hinerangi
“Te Ao Tawhito, Te Ao Hurihuri”
11.15am Mana Tane, Mana Wahine Forums
Key note presentation – Whaea Terehia Kipa, Tuwharetoa, Tuhoe and supporting presenter Irihapeti Baldwin, Ngai Tahu
Forums: Kaupapa and facilitation - ‘Te Ngaru’
1.30pm Workshops
Te Kaiawhina Ahumahi: The Industry Training Organisation for the Social Services; Maori Womens Welfare League; Ngai Tahu Development, He Oranga Pounamu; Te Aka Kumara-George Kahi; ACC – Accreditation – Verna Gates; Project Mana-Adrian- Te Patu; Terehia Kipa- Te Whare Tangata; Korowai o Aroha; Te Roopu Awhina o Parentline;
“Roopu” Te Roopu o Papakura, Te Tari Awhina I te Tamaiti, te Rangatahi, tae atu ki te Whanau. Department of Child Youth and Family Services
3.30pm Keynote Speaker - Ngati Raukawa,
Waka Taua, Wellness Programme’
4.15pm Keynote Speaker - Te Puna Oranga, The Spring of Wellness
7.00pm Keynote Speaker ,Ngai Tahu Development – Cultural Heritage
Ngai Tahu Rock Art Te Whanau Crofts

Friday 3 November 2000
9.15am Keynote Speakers – Te Runanga O Kaikoura
Hapu, Economic and Social Development and Whale Watch
11.15am Keynote Speaker – Merepeka Raukawa Tait
Strategies for addressing Whanau Violence
1.00pm Ariari Ki Te Oranga- ‘Towards Wellbeing Workshops’. How this relates to your mahi
- Kaumatua Kahui - Harakeke – Te Maramatanga ki Otautahi
- Mirimiri – Inu Farrar -Whakaoriori o Rua – Te Roopu Tautoko ki te Taonga and Myone McCallum - Waiata – Kataraina Pipi
- Maurakau – Riki Williams - Koauau – Whai
- Arts and Crafts – Chrissy Metcalf and Airdrie Pukeroa
- Rongoa – Jane Phillips

2.30pm Messages from Tamariki Te Hata Opani Kura-Tikanga Rua Reo
St Albans Bi-lingual Unit
3.30pm ‘Messages from Rangatahi’ Panel of Rangatahi from Otautahi/Christchurch
7.00pm Key Note Speaker - Stacy Daniels Mana Rangatahi Group Presentation – Aranui High School Whanau Kapahaka and Waiaita, Facilitator – Tihi Punaki

Saturday 4 November 2000
9.00am Karakia Political Forum – M.C. Pete Mason
Tariana Turia, Parekura Horomia, Mahara Okeroa,
Sandra Lee This session will consist of a short keynote
session by each politician followed by an interactive question and answer forum.
11.00am “Closing the Gaps”
Te Tari Awhina I te Tamaiti, te Rangatahi, tae atu ki te Whanau. The Department of Child Youth and Family Services
1.30pm Workshops
He Waka Tapu; Programme Delivery to Rangatahi – Te Puna Oranga
Te Kaiawhina Ahumahi the Industry Training Organisation for the Social Services;
Maori Womens Welfare League; He Oranga Pounamu; Te Aka Kumara-George Kahi; ACC Accreditation– Verna Gates; Commissioner for Children – Bobby Bryan; SIDS – Sudden Infant Death Syndrome – Wendy Dallas; Te Roopu Awhina o Parentline; Hau Ora Matauraka Tahupotiki Stirling;
Roopu Combined Forum Discussion – Maori Women;s Refuge
3.30pm Rangimarie Rose and Joe Pere,“Kia Mau Ki You Maoritanga”
4.15pm Te Marino Rupene and Kataraina Pipi, Maori Provider Success
Sunday 5 November 2000

9.00am Plenary –Facilitators Moana-O-Hinerangi and Arihia Bennett
12.30pm Departure

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