“New horizons for iwi waka”

Thursday, 31 July 2014, 3:10 pm
Press Release: Ngati Kahungunu Iwi Inc

“New horizons for iwi waka”

Ngāti Kahungunu has a proud voyaging history, first landing in Aotearoa over 1000 years ago aboard the waka Takitimu. Today the iwi has set a course for new horizons for its voyaging waka Te Matau a Maui.

An agreement was signed today formalising the lease of the Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi waka Te Matau a Maui to the Te Matau a Maui Voyaging Trust. Piripi Smith the chairman of the voyaging trust said, “We are humbled and honoured by the generosity of the iwi to give us the guardianship of such a wonderful taonga”, after signing an agreement to take care of Te Matau a Maui on behalf of Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi.

NKII purchased the waka 3 years ago as an investment into rejuvenating ancient voyaging practices and reinvigorating cultural values through leadership and development of rangatahi. The waka completed a Pacific and worldwide voyage returning to Ahuriri approximately 18 months ago. The Trust has been set up to operate within the Kahungunu rohe with the goal to “Develop, educate, practice and promote all aspects of waka voyaging”. “We have already been delivering programmes to schools, community and corporate groups for the past six months and we hope to build on this in the future,” says Piripi.

The Trust has been operating independently of NKII for the past 6 months and results have been encouraging. The NKII Board continues to be involved in the ongoing operation of the Trust through regular reports to the Board and a report to iwi members at the AGM.

NKII Board member Mike Paku is an interim Trustee on the Trust. Mike says, “We congratulate the voyaging trust for their achievements so far and wish them well as they set out on a new pathway of discovery”.

For information on how to become involved with TMAM. Please contact the Chairman of the Trust Piripi Smith: psmith@wakaexperience.co.nz

Ngāti Kahungunu is the third largest iwi. Geographically the tribe has the second longest coastline in the country from Paritū in the North to Turakirae in the South. Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated maintains an independent position to provide research, advice and advocate for the interests, rights, values, beliefs and practices of Ngāti Kahungunu alongside our whānau and hapū. Our mission is to enhance the mana and well-being of Ngāti Kahungunu.

Media Contact: Ngahiwi Tomoana (Chairman) 06 876-2718 ngahiwi@kahungunu.iwi.nz

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