Insights from Hui ā-Tau Kaikōkiri Māori 2023
Firstly, we send our aroha to all those who are still suffering the devastation left behind by Cyclone Gabrielle, exactly one month prior to our Hui. E mihi nui ana to the remarkable participants who managed to still attend from Wharekāhika (Hicks Bay) and Ruatōrea. A very big thank you to you all.
Back Lili Tuioti (PMP Director), Kate Cherrington (Facilitator-Puata Hou Ltd.), Kahiwa Sebire (Evaluator), Hinekaa Mako (Climate Change ILG), Maria Ngāwati (Indigishare), Chelsea Grootveld (JRM Chair),Matt McCracken (JRMT Staff), Pera Barrett (Shoebox Christmas), Keryn Martin (Bishops CDT), Josetta Walker (Te Aroha Kanarahi), Arlouise Brooking (Te Aroha Kanarahi), Robert Kāpeta (Ngātiwai ki Whangaruru) Left side Robyn Scott (Exec. Director JRMT), Marama Tākao (JRMT Staff) Middle Row Ani Pahuru-Huriwai (Te Aroha Kanarahi), Tiara Hammond (Kāhui Rangatahi, Leah Henry (Mana Tāhuna), Zoe Hawke (Te Tipu e Rea), Pounamu Skelton (Te Waka Kai Ora), Nan Wehipeihana (Evaluator), Adrianna Reedy (Te Aroha Kanarahi) Front: Bentham Ōhia (Puata Hou Ltd.), Mike Smith (Climate Change ILG), Sylvia Moe (JRM Staff) Ebony Webster (Mana Tāhuna), Jerry Norman (JRMT Trustee), Howard Rēti (Ngātiwai ki Whangaruru). Supporting: Jessie Workman and Mason Tangatatai (Mana Communications) Those who left early: Mateawa Keelan (Hikurangi Enterprises), Maureen Muller (Te Ataarangi), Melissa Campbell (JRM Trustee)
The Te Kāwai Toro calendar's noteworthy annual event, Hui Kaikōkiri Māori, took place in Wellington on March 13-14. The two-day hui is a time where ngā kaikōkiri (community support leaders, mentors, advocates etc.) come together to exchange experiences, establish and nurture connections, and gain valuable knowledge from each other.
Following a karakia, then a waiata led by Jerry Norman, Chair of Te Kāwai Toro and J R McKenzie Trust board member, setting the tone for a collaborative and invigorating gathering. The hui is an opportunity for ngā kaikōkiri to take a breath, share, and learn from one another.
Thought-provoking kōrero during the workshop sessions
It was heartening to see the interconnections between the groups, with many of them working on similar kaupapa in different regions across the motu (country). We were moved by the powerful voices in the room and the whakawhanaungatanga that emerged as the rōpū explored ways to work collaboratively and combine their efforts.
Climate change was a key discussion point, with ngā kaikōkiri agreeing it is at the centre of everything. It became apparent that if rōpū don't factor in climate change measures in their mahi, there won't be an Aotearoa left to benefit from everyone's incredible mahi (work).
Succession planning was also discussed and some rōpū will be transitioning in the next few years as they hand over the reins to the next generation of leaders. It was lovely to be joined by a few younger members from Project Hoake and Kāhui Rangatahi. Other kaupapa included, social enterprises, hapū development, rangatahi leadership, rights for hapū māmā, koha economy, supporting kaikōkiri, and tamariki/rangatahi realising that someone cares.
We were honoured to have Te Pūoho Katene – Executive Director/Kaihautū, Pūtea Whakatupu Trust speak to us about Economic Emancipation and Systems Change. The following statements he shared were also inspirational and resonated with us: ‘Systems acupuncture’, ‘Write your values in pen and strategies in pencil’ and ‘E rua e rua te kūmara me te pūtea; Kāore he hua ōna ki tua atu i te whāngai tangata - Money is like a kūmara; it has no value outside of its ability to sustain people’.
Te Pūoho Katene presenting to the Hui
Matt McCracken explained a hands-off funding approach with an analogy involving a Tibetan singing bowl. “To produce sound from the bowl, you must hold it in an open palm rather than grasping it tightly which allows a rōpū to thrive. Suggesting that funders reframe from strictly dictating how funding is used.”
It was an absolute privilege to reconnect with ngā kaikōkiri and hear of their exceptional mahi and extraordinary initiatives. J R McKenzie Trust staff, the wonderful people that support the hui, and trustees, commented on how hearts were filled with hope for the future, and this hui is the highlight of our year.
Tēnā koutou katoa e aku rangatira. E rere ana ngā mihi maioha ki a koutou katoa e whakatere ana i ōu koutou waka, mauri ora ki a koutou.
Kia hora te marino
Kia whakapapa pounamu te moana
Kia tere te kārohirohi i mua i tō huarahi