Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa express support for Waitangi Tribunal ruling on Motiti Island

Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa express support for Waitangi Tribunal ruling on Motiti Island


Te Runanga o Ngāti Awa (Ngāti Awa) are delighted with the findings of a Waitangi Tribunal report released this week, that recognises that Te Patuwai and Te Whānau a Tauwhao aretangata whenua of Motiti Island and that Te Patuwai affiliates to Ngāti Awa.

Ngāti Awa have supported the Te Patuwai Tribal Committee in a dispute over which group is the rightful and legal mana whenua of Motiti Island. The dispute was lodged with the Waitangi Tribunal in 2018.

Speaking on the report Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa Tumuaki (Chairman) Joe Harawira said:

“The report acknowledges the strong links through whakapapa and occupation that Te Patuwai and Te Whānau a Tauwhao have to Motiti.
“As the rightful stewards of the island we offer our support to them should they need our help in decisions about the future of the island.”

We remember and acknowledge the unwavering contributions of Meremaihi Williams and PutiKoopu, we mourn their loss.


For more information please contact Bianca Ruakere on 021 453 189.

To read the full report please refer to the Waitangi Tribunal website.

Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa pays tribute to Sir Wira Gardiner

Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa pays tribute to Sir Wira Gardiner


Today we pay tribute to our whānaunga Ta Wira Gardiner who has passed away at the age of 78.

Ta Wira (Ngāti Awa, Ngāti Pikiao, Whakatōhea, Te Whānau-ā-Apanui) was one of the pre-eminent Māori leaders of our time – a founding director of the Waitangi Tribunal, a devoted public servant and a staunch leader and advocate for Māori rights, education and culture.

During his long and distinguished career Sir Wira served in the army, rising to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, headed the Iwi Transition Agency and was founding CEO of Te Puni Kōkiri. Most recently he serves as interim Chair of Oranga Tamariki before standing down due to illness.

He also held several important governance roles chairing the Tertiary Education Commission, the Te Papa museum board and the Local Government Commission.

Sir Wira was also a published author of non-fiction books on the Māori Battalion, the history and tradition of kapa haka and a personal view on combat: A Soldier’s View of the Vietnam War told from the perspective of soldiers from the V4 Company who served in South Vietnam.

Sir Wira was known for his diplomacy, sharp intellect, and his ability to navigate and maintain collaborative relationships with Māori and non-Maori alike.

Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa Tumuaki (Chairman) Joe Harawira said:

“Ta Wira was an agent of transformational change in all that he pursued on both the political and social scene for Ngati Awa and Māoridom as a whole. His aroha for his iwi was second to only his whānau. The legacy he has left for his people is immeasurable.

“We send our aroha and condolences to Sir Wira’s whānau, his wife Hekia, his children, mokopuna and everyone that knew and loved him. His passing is a great loss. Kei te tangi te ngakau mōu, mō tō whānau e Wira.”

It was Sir Wira’s express wish that no tangihanga would be held following his passing to protect against any potential impacts to frontline workers and the health system as the result of the current Omicron outbreak.

He Aitua

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Tātai whetū ki te rangi, Ka mau tonu, ka mau tonu.
Tātai tangata ki te whenua,ngaro noa, ngaro noa.
Kua pukeitia te kupenga a Taramainuku ki nga mate huhua, tena whakahautia a Tara, kia whakatere i tōna waka ki te po
Tēnā! E te rangatira a Ngāti Awa, a Te Whakatōhea, a Te Whānau-a-Apanui, a Ngāti Pikiao; kua ngaro atu koe ki te pū o mahara, moe mai, moe mai, moe mai ra.
Hoki mai ki a tātou te iwi o Ngati Awa, tēnā tātou katoa.

With the sudden passing of Ta Wira and the wishes of the whanau with regards tangihanga proceedings, Ngati Awa have limited opportunity to participate in the proceedings. Wira and the families express wish was to not hold the tangi on the marae in the interests of health and safety, with regards to the current situation and gatherings.

The arrangements are:
Today- Friday 18 March
Wira will lay for the night in Te Kaha
Tomorrow Saturday 19 March
11.00am Service commences at the Whakatane Crematorium. There are only 50 spaces in the Crematorium which will be taken up with Wira whanau and invited guests.

Ngati Awa will be represented by Koro Te Kei whom will speak on behalf of Ngati Awa, and Hirini, along with Wiremu Doherty whom will speak on behalf of Te Wananga o Awanuiarangi.

In speaking with Hirini, we felt that one way we could participate, although in a limited way, was for Ngati Awa to gather at 10.15am and form a guard of Honour along the roadway to the Crematorium. We ask that you wear a mask and keep the 1 metre distancing that is required.
There will I understand be a memorial Service later on in the year.

Nga manaakitanga,
Tumuaki

Tertiary Grants and Scholarships 2022 Update

There has been some issues with the Scholarship Application System for the 2022 Grants rounds. We understand this is frustrating and have received a lot of feedback around this. We are endeavouring to solve the issue with our developers and have made a decision to extend the rounds from 5pm April 11th 2022 to 5pm April 29 2022.

You can still continue to apply for the Grants, we ask that if you have already emailed or called Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa regarding this issue that you please be patient with our team and we will be in contact with you as soon as we have resolved the issue.

Ngā mihi,
Administration