Te Whatu Manawa Māoritanga o Rehua Marae pānui
Ka tangihia ngā tini mate o te wā. Kua karangahia koutou e Tahu Kūmea, e Tahu Whakairo. Whakawhiti atu rā i te pae o maumahara, ā, waiho atu mātou te tewe muri nei hei hopo, hei haku mō koutou. Rātou ki a rātou, ā, tātou ki a tātou. E ngā mana, e ngā reo, e ngā manukura o te motu, nei Te Whatumanawa Māoritanga o Rehua e mihi kau atu nei, e whakamānawa atu nei. Naia tā mātou pānui tuatahi hei tirotiro mā koutou. E te iwi, nau mai, tauti mai rā.
Kia Ora koutou, it is my pleasure as the new chair of the Rehua Board of Trustees to greet you and introduce our new pānui. It will be a regular newsletter available by email to help keep whānau and friends up to date about what’s happening at the marae.
Many of you will know that a new Board of Trustees was appointed in December last year. On behalf of the new trustees, Rehua whānau and friends I wish to acknowledge the work and dedication of the previous board members. Thank-you to each of you for your service to whakamana the marae and support the special place it holds in our local and regional communities. In particular I must make special mention of Terry Ryan who served on the board for more than 35 years. Terry and Rehua are inseparable and the new trustees are fortunate that he continues to support and guide our work. Also to Bob Tai the immediate past chair for nine years’ service and Marlene Kamo who has been on the board for 15 years and been a supporter of the marae for many, many more. Thank-you also to Te Mairiki Williams, Garry Te Wani and Jacky Te Wani.
The new trustees are Mita “Ted” Te Hae (Waikato-Tainui), William “Bill” Bush (Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Te Whānau-a-Apanui), Chris Ford, Paula Rigby (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāi Tahu), Phil Tumataroa (Ngāti Kahungunu) and myself, Dora Langsbury (Ngāi Tahu). Whare Tamanui (Ngāti Pourou) was also appointed as a trustee, but unfortunately has had to step down from the board for personal reasons. The trustees wish to thank Whare for the work he has done in the short time he was chair and wish him well for the future.
The trustees have had to find their feet quickly as there is a lot happening and a number of pressing issues affecting the marae as a result of the earthquakes. To briefly mention a few we are continuing to develop the strategic plan started by the previous board to help guide the future direction of the marae, we have been working to secure insurance for the marae and its buildings as well as dealing with EQC and the insurers regarding the repairs and remediation required as a result of quake damage. There has been a lot of effort put into securing the financial position of the marae. We have set-up project teams with each trustee taking on responsibility for a different area of expertise. See the trustee profiles below for more detail about these.
It is also appropriate to thank Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu which came to Rehua at the invitation of the previous board and has made available a number of staff and resources to support the marae during this period.
The board also wishes to acknowledge the Rehua staff and our kaumātua, in particular the paepae who take the time out of their already busy days to be at the marae for daily Powhiri and work together day in and day out to ensure the mana and tikanga of the marae continues to be upheld. The board looks forward to being able to keep you up to date with what’s going on at the Rehua and having whānau and the community involved in the activities and future of the marae.
Nāhaku noa,
Nā
Dora Langsbury
Strategic plan
In March we held our third strategic planning hui. Bill and Whare were at the marae early preparing the pork bones and watercress. We had a pretty good turn out with about 40 people representing whānau and community spending their Sunday afternoon together.
There was a lot of good kōrero as the board sought your views on the things that are important as we begin the strategic planning process for the marae. The key themes to emerge were:
- Ensuring we continue to remember and honour the history of the marae and those people and organisations that have supported us over the past 60 years and more.
- Caring for our kaumātua and supporting the provision of services to ensure they are well cared for and able to participate in our community.
- Upholding and respect tikanga so that the marae operates according to the kawa observed by mana whenua.
- Ensure the marae continues to flourish and be available for the community.
We appreciate all the views that were expressed, and heard clearly the aroha and commitment which exists within the community for the marae and the role it plays. As a board we want whānau and the community to be engaged and have a voice in the planning process.
The next step has been to develop a draft strategic plan with some high level ideas and initiatives on how we see the marae developing in the future. We have this completed invite you and the community to attend a hui on Sunday July 8 to present the plan and seek further feedback.
Rehua Marae Strategic Planning Hui
| Sunday 8 July, 2012 at Rehua Marae | |
|---|---|
| 12.30pm | Welcome and Karakia timatanga |
| 12.45pm | Lunch |
| 1.30pm | Presentation and Feedback |
| 2.30pm | Closing karakia |
Archives
The Rehua archives project, which sets out to protect the thousands of documents, photos and records of Rehua from the past 60 years, has been on-going for two years. It has been guided by Terry Ryan, and Marlene Kamo has been driving the mahi to locate, identify, sort and store these toanga. She has also been well supported by whānau and the Rehua community.
The project has now reached a stage where all the material collected thus far needs to be professionally archived and protected under conditions that will see it safe from further deterioration and out of harms’ way.
Rehua does not currently have the space or the correct facilities to keep the archive in a manner that will keep it safe, which has been an on-going concern for the board and the project team.
However, we have received a generous offer from the Christchurch City Libraries which is prepared, at no cost, to professionally archive and store the taonga in climate controlled storage facilities. This will mean that all the records will be scanned and digitally archived and placed in the Libraries’ care until we are able to find an appropriate solution at Rehua.
The archives will remain the property of Rehua and a condition of the agreement is that Rehua can request the archives to be returned at any time. The board has agreed that this is the best solution in the interim and a very generous offer on behalf of the Libraries staff and the Christchurch City Council. Over the coming weeks we will be working with key staff to see this stage progress.
The trustees would like to thank Terry and Marlene for leading the first stage of this vital piece of work.
If old boys/girls or whānau have any personal material donated to the archives project and have questions we invite them to contact the board to discuss the process.
Board of Trustees Appointment process review
The board has received feedback about the process used to appoint the new Trustees. The current process, ratified by the previous board, consisted of seeking written applications from candidates which were reviewed by an appointment committee consisting of Rakiihia Tau, Clare Williams, Norman Dewes and Mark Solomon. Based on the applications the appointment committee selected five people to be offered positions on the board. Two further Trustees were appointed, one as representative of the Kaumātua and Te Haahi and one by the old boys/girls as their representative.
In light of the feedback received to date the new Trustees have agreed to review the process and to consult with the Rehua community, the Kahui Kaumātua and the Old Boys/Old Girls.
There are a number of options open to us, but currently our preferred option is:
- The Trust Board calls for interest and gives people the opportunity to put their names forward.
- The Trust Board receives and reviews the applications.
- The Trust Board appoints the new Trustee(s) by Resolution of the Trust Board.
We invite you to send us your views about the current process, our preferred process and what you think is an appropriate process for the appointment of Trustees.
This is a timely issue as we have accepted Whare Tamanui’s request to step down from the board and will be needing to find a replacement as soon as possible.
Please send your feedback to:
Email: dora.roimata.langsbury@gmail.com
In writing to:
Dora Langsbury
Rehua Marae
79 Springfield Road
Christchurch
Building and Maintenance
Maintenance is ongoing and there is still a lot to be done around the marae. While the grounds look beautiful, the buildings are looking tired including the wharenui, which has issues with its floor, and the wharekai has a leak when we get a bit of rain.
The Rehua properties have been quite badly affected by the quakes. Engineers have advised that the small annex at the end of Te Koti and the building occupied by the Maori Land Court are not safe but otherwise we are fortunate that all other buildings are safe to be occupied. We are working with EQC and our insurers to assess the damage and a understand our options concerning repairs or rebuilding.
The warrant of fitness for Te Koti (administration Block) has recently been renewed. There are a number of other jobs that need to be done and will take place over the coming months.
Website
The board is beginning to develop a web site for Rehua. The marae has a number of pages on other organisation’s web sites, but does not currently have its own dedicated site. A website will allow us to record the history of Rehua and acknowledge those key people and organisations that have contributed to the whakapapa of the marae.
The site will also be useful to help promote the marae and its services more effectively and will assist staff manage bookings and enquiries.
We have secured the domain name www.rehuamarae.co.nz and will begin to develop the site over the coming months. We’ll keep you up to date on progress.
Marae Bookings
Rehua Marae is the perfect venue for wānanga, hui, weddings, birthdays and celebrations for whānau, community or corporate events.
For all bookings and enquiries contact the marae or call in to the office:
Phone: 03 355 5615
Fax: 03 355 4964
Email: maria.tait@rehuamarae.org.nz
Rehua old boys, girls and whānau
Rehua Marae is building a database of names and addresses and invites all old boys and girls and whānau to contact us with your details. Your information will remain confidential and will allow Rehua to stay in touch with you and let the community know what’s happening at the marae.
If you know any old boys or whānau that would like to be involved and informed please encourage them to contact us, or better still let us know and we can contact them.
Please contact Dora Langsbury:
Mobile: 027 228 7968
Home: 03 377 4588
Email: dora.roimata.langsbury@gmail.com
Calendar – what’s coming up at Rehua Marae
June 16 – Soul Sistas – Wahine Pamper Day, massage, hair and make-up, relaxation. An event run by He Waka Tapu.
June 25 – July 1 – Matariki Celebrations
June 25 – Rehua Board of Trustees meeting at 6pm.
June 25 – June 30 – Matariki Exhibition on display in the Wharenui
June 30 – (10am – 4 pm) – 10am – 4pm) Matariki Whānau Day – stalls, workshops, storytelling and waiata.
10am – Rehua Waiata group opening with Karakia and waiata
10 – 4pm – Ron Te Kawa – Zoosh up your wardrobe (20 people $40 pp
10 – 2pm – Areta Wilkinson – create unique Stirling silver ring – (12 people $30 pp)
1 – 3pm Authors Gavin Bishop and Ben Brown reading their books. (Wharenui)
1 – 2pm – “Muse” Random Acts of Music (Free to participants). A session where whānau will get the opportunity to play an instrument.
July 1 – Rehua Marae Strategic Planning hui. 12.30pm start.
July 23 – Rehua Board of Trustees meeting at 6pm.
August 27 – Rehua Board of Trustees meeting at 6pm.
What’s been happening at Rehua?
Rehua has been very busy over the past months hosting whānau, community, business and school groups from all over the motu. The ability to appropriately host and manaaki our manuhiri is at the heart of our marae.
Whānau wedding
Aaron Nicol (Ngāti Porou) and Alice Manadaniels (Te Aupouri and Te Rarawa) were married at Rehua Marae on May 5 in the wharenui. About 100 whānau and friends gathered for the occasion. Alice works for Te Puni Kōkiri and is based at Rehua. “It was a fantastic day” she says.
The TPK whānau: (left to right) Kara Ruha, Lyndon Waaka, Kim Wetini, Aaron Nicol, Tamai Sinclair, Alice Manadaniels, Ari Coleman, Meikura Arahanga, Aparonia Arahanga, Mere Graham, Wayne Vargis
Ngāi Tahu welcome the Governor-General
In February, Ngāi Tahu whānau led by Ngāi Tūāhuriri welcomed His Excellency, Lt Gen The Rt Hon Sir Jerry Mateparae, Governor-General of New Zealand and Lady Mateparae to Ōtautahi at Rehua Marae.
Sir Jerry and Lady Mateparae visited Christchurch to awhi the people and take part in the anniversary commemorations for the February 22 earthquake. It was the first time in nearly twenty years that Government House has visited Rehua Marae.
Trustee profiles and photos
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Dora Roimata Langsbury– Chair I was born and raised at Ōtākou Marae on the Otago Pennisula. As a teenager I was a national level swimmer and New Zealand title holder for surf lifesaving. I trained as a primary school teacher and then went on to have an international marketing and business career in the computer and telecommunications sector, based in Asia and the USA. Since my return to New Zealand I have worked as a marketing and business consultant for Ngāi Tahu and as a business tutor at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa, where I now work as the Student Support Advisor for the Ngāi Tahu rohe. I am passionate about the Green Party and have stood as their Te Tai Tonga candidate and are currently their Māori policy convener. I am the Co-Chair of One Voice Te Reo Kotahi and an active member of the Peterborough Village Precinct, the location of Tautahi’s wāhi tapu site. |
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Chris Ford– Treasurer I first became involved at Rehua in April 2011 following a request by the Rehua Trust Board that Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu provide some assistance for the board. I live nearby Rehua and have always been curious about the marae so I am enjoying the opportunity to spend time here and get to know what goes on. My role is to co-ordinate support for Rehua from Te Rūnanga, for example helping support the staff, IT, property management, finances/accounting and legal matters. Since April 2011 the team at Te Rūnanga has put a lot of time and effort into supporting Rehua which has been great. I am currently the Treasurer of the board. I am married to my beautiful wife Cheryl, and have a 9 year old daughter, Isobel. |
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Paula Rigby– Secretary I am the daughter of Rehua Old Boy Paku Rigby, and was at Te Kaihanga Hostel in 1980. I’m honoured to be the Old Boy/Girl representative on the Trust Board. I am actively involved in the Māori arts, as a weaver and kapa haka performer. I am on the funding committee for the Trust and work on events for the Marae. |
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Mita “Ted” Te Hae(Waikato-Tainui) I am from Hamilton, but have lived in Christchurch for the past 55 years. Much of that period I have been involved with Rehua, spending time with the old people and supporting the paepae. I have spent many years involved with community work and was honoured to receive a QSO for this work. I am currently employed by the Canterbury District Health Board and am a kaumātua representative on the Trust. |
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William Kingita Tepohe Bush, M.N.Z.M (63yrs)(Tū Wharetoa / Te Whānau-A-Apanui) I was educated at Whakatane High School and have lived in Christchurch since 1967. |
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Phil Tumataroa(Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairoa) My father and many of my “uncles” are old boys of Rehua and Kaihanga, so to be able to help support the marae and its special place in Ōtautahi is a real honour for me. I work for Te Rūnanga as the Group Communications Manager. My partner Belinda and I have three children, Madison (12), Phoenix (10) and Noah (8). I am on the communication and funding committees. |