Ngoto iho ai ngā hua o Hine Takurua ki te mata o te whenua, he tio, he huka, he hau hū. E kui, kua whārikihia tō Parawai mā ki runga ō Koro Taranaki. Tāwharautia tō hau ora ki runga i hō iwi nei, whakaputa ki te whai ao ki te ao marama, tihei mauri ora!
Nau mai ki tō tātou nei tuhinga e kīa nei ko Te Iho Tangata e rauroha mai nei. Anei he hiranga kaupapa, he hiranga kōrero.
It is in the heart of the winter maiden to bestow her nourishments onto the land. Where there lay snow, there lay the natural essence of the sky and land. Gifts given to replenish our iwi as seasons pass. Let us grow resilience for what is yet to come and thrive together.
HAERE RĀ JOE HANITA
After five years of dedicated service, Joe Hanita is stepping down as Independent Chair of the Te Kotahitanga Finance, Audit and Risk Committee. Over that time, Joe has generously shared his extensive strategic, financial, and risk management expertise, providing thoughtful leadership and sound governance during an important period of growth and change for our organisation. His guidance, integrity, and willingness to challenge our thinking have helped strengthen Te Kotahitanga and position us well for the future.
13 July 2026 marked the date for Joe’s whakatau at Te Whare o Te Waipounamu which is the Head Office of Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu. The Chair, a board member and the CEO attended the whakatau to support Joe into his new role as Chief Financial Officer. In support were whānau from Wakatu Incorporation, Parinihi ki Waitotara, Rangitane, Te Atiawa o Te Waka a Māui, and more importantly his whanau comprising of his partner, his mother and his sisters.
To recognise his contribution given to Te Kotahitanga o Te Atiawa, a special taonga was presented to him in the style of a Ururoa or Hammerhead Shark, symbolising his ongoing drive to support Māori Economic Development throughout Aotearoa. We were pleased to have been a part of the significant occasion for Joe and his whānau and wish him the best in his new journey with Ngāi Tahu.
PUANGA KAUMĀTUA BALL
He whakamiha ki ā tātou Kaumātua
The Te Atiawa Puanga Kaumātua Ball 2026 was a special evening dedicated to celebrating and honouring our treasured kaumātua. It was a chance for whānau, friends, and guests to come together, share stories, laughter, memories, and dance the night away!
With around 175 people attending, the evening was filled with warmth, connection, and joy. The beautiful atmosphere, wonderful entertainment, and opportunities to whakawhanaunga made for a memorable celebration that was enjoyed by all.
Most importantly, the evening was about expressing our gratitude. Our kaumātua carry the stories, values, and strength of our people, and we are deeply thankful for the leadership, care, and aroha they continue to share with each generation.
A heartfelt thank you to all of our kaumātua for everything you do for Te Atiawa. Your knowledge, resilience, and dedication inspire us all. Thank you also to the whānau, volunteers, performers, and organisers who helped make this event such a special occasion.
The Puanga Kaumātua Ball remains a cherished event on the Te Atiawa calendar, bringing our people together in celebration, connection, and pride. We look forward to continuing this tradition and creating more opportunities to honour those who have given so much to our iwi.
Ko ngā kaumātua ngā pou herenga tangata, e tūhono nei i ngā reanga.
KARANGA WĀNANGA
Over the past year, Te Kotahitanga o Te Atiawa has proudly supported a series of Paepae Karanga Wānanga delivered by Kāhui Limited and facilitated by Rangimokai Knuckey. Held across six hapū and one Te Atiawa-wide wānanga, these gatherings brought wāhine together to learn, share, and strengthen their understanding and practice of karanga within their own hapū contexts and across our iwi.
The wānanga have created space for emerging kaikaranga to build confidence, develop their skills, and learn alongside experienced Pou Kuia and Kaikaranga who generously shared their knowledge and wisdom. A key focus was ensuring that this important tikanga continues to thrive by supporting the next generation to step forward, while also recognising the many kuia who have long carried this responsibility on behalf of our people.
Through kōrero, mentoring, and whakawhanaungatanga, these wānanga have helped strengthen the foundations for the future of karanga within Te Atiawa. It has been encouraging to see wāhine of all ages come together to learn, support one another, and contribute to the ongoing growth of this treasured taonga for generations to come.
HINE TAKURUA 2026
The Hine Takurua 2026 Collection is almost here!
This year’s collection features Te Atiawa uri Haoro Hond, whose image and story embody the central theme of the collection: Te Tangata.
At the heart of the collection is the understanding that each person serves as a vessel for the teachings, values, and legacy passed down by our tūpuna. These inherited principles become the strengths we carry into everyday life and the values we share with the world.
The collection draws inspiration from the symbolism of the Raukura, representing leadership, integrity, humility, identity, and responsibility to future generations.
The central narrative of Hine Takurua 2026 is Te Tangata.
This theme recognises that people are the living vessels through which ancestral knowledge, values, and cultural identity are carried forward.
A significant element within the collection imagery is the gesture of the hand reaching toward the mouth. This represents the principle of humility and reflects the whakataukī:
“Kia noho wahangū”
To remain humble and refrain from projecting one’s pride or achievements onto others. This symbolism acknowledges that true leadership is demonstrated through actions rather than self-promotion. It reflects the values of service, respect, self-awareness, and collective responsibility.
Ancestral Transmission of Values
A key concept underpinning the collection is the intergenerational transmission of values.
Historically, our tūpuna passed knowledge, beliefs, customs, and cultural practices through:
- Whakapapa
- Oral storytelling
- Shared rituals and cultural practices
- Observation and participation
- Daily modelling of behaviours and values
While traditions continue to evolve within contemporary contexts, these inherited principles remain the foundation of identity and belonging.
The collection acknowledges that the values gifted to us by our tūpuna become the strengths we carry into our daily lives. Their teachings shape the way we lead, serve, connect, and contribute to our communities.
In this way, Hine Takurua 2026 acts as both a celebration of heritage and a reminder of our responsibility to uphold those values.
TE KĀHUI RANGATAHI
TE KĀHUI RANGATAHI O TE ATIAWA WĀNANGA
7th – 9th August
Kairau Marae
Registrations are now closed for the upcoming Rangatahi Wānanga, and we are excited for our Rangatahi to be a part of an inspiring wānanga dedicated to strengthening who we are and where we are going as uri of Te Atiawa.
Our wānanga will be focused on growing the next generation of leaders through rangatahi succession, strengthening connections with one another and our iwi, deepening our understanding of whakapapa and identity by grounding ourselves in our stories and our people, and exploring leadership opportunities and future pathways that empower rangatahi to step confidently into their future.
Together, we’ll support one another, learn from each other, and make the most of the opportunities this wānanga brings.
“Mā te huruhuru ka rere te manu” – adorn the bird with feathers so it may fly.
We look forward to spending time with you all at the Te Kāhui Rangatahi Wānanga, sharing time, space, kōrero and laughter, and enjoying a great weekend together.
TE URUNGA KĀINGA
RUNGAPIKO AFFORDABLE RENTALS
The Rungapiko Housing Development is entering its final stages, and we are excited to be preparing for the opening of 18 new two-bedroom apartments this October. Developed to provide quality housing opportunities for our people, Rungapiko will offer a mix of affordable rental homes and dedicated accommodation for kaumātua.
If you or someone in your whānau is looking for a new place to call home, now is the time to connect with the Ka Uruora team. Expressions of interest and applications are now being welcomed, so don’t miss the opportunity to be part of this exciting development.
Contact [email protected] today to find out more and begin the application process
VOTING ROLL CHOICE CLOSES 6TH AUGUST
If you’re eligible to vote, make sure you’re enrolled and check that you’re on the roll that’s right for you before 6 August.
This is your opportunity to enrol to vote by:
- Updating your details
- Choose or change the roll you wish to be on
After 6 August, you won’t be able to change your roll option until the next roll option period, so don’t miss the deadline.
Visit the Electoral Commission website or contact your local Electoral Office for more information and to update your enrolment.
HPAI – H5N1 – BIRD FLU UPDATES
MPI has confirmed New Zealand’s first detection of H5 bird flu) in a wild bird.
A brown skua found at Petone Beach, Wellington, tested positive for the virus after being assessed by Wellington Zoo. At this stage, the detection is limited to this individual ocean-going seabird. There is no evidence of transmission between wild birds in New Zealand and no detections in poultry.
Why this information may be relevant
While you may already be aware of this detection through media coverage or other updates, this information is being shared directly given its relevance to many within your communities and networks who spend time in te taiao through cultural and customary practices, environmental stewardship, recreation and other mahi in te taiao.
Please consider sharing this information across relevant networks so people know what to look for and how to report sick or dead wildlife if encountered. Australia has recently recorded isolated detections of H5 bird flu in coastal birds, and a similar pattern may be seen here.
For further information, please click on the links below
HE KAWA ORA MŌ TE PAPA-KURA-O-TARANAKI
PUBLIC NOTICE
Formal Notification of He Kawa Ora Preparation
He Kawa Ora mō Te Papa-Kura-o-Taranaki
Pursuant to Schedule 3, Clause 3(a) and Clause 3(b) of Te Ture Whakatupua mō Te Kāhui Tupua 2025 / Taranaki Maunga Collective Redress Act 2025, notice is hereby given by Te Tōpuni Kōkōrangi, as the face and voice of Te Kāhui Tupua, that a draft He Kawa Ora mō Te Papa-Kura-o-Taranaki (‘He Kawa Ora or The Plan’), the management plan for Te Papa-Kura-o-Taranaki, is to be prepared.
Te Tōpuni Kōkōrangi invites written comments on the preparation of a draft He Kawa Ora. Comments are invited from iwi, hapū, whānau, organisations, stakeholders, users of Te Papa-Kura-o-Taranaki (recreational and commercial), government agencies, local authorities and all interested members of the public.
The formal comment period will open on 20 July 2026 and close at 5.00 pm on 20 October 2026.
The purpose of the comment period is to seek views on the matters that should be dealt with in He Kawa Ora that will assist Te Tōpuni Kōkōrangi in preparing the Plan. Te Tōpuni Kōkōrangi invites any person wishing to comment to consider information to guide the future protection, restoration and management of Te Papa-Kura-o-Taranaki in accordance with Ngā Pou Whakatupua / Maunga Values and Te Kāhui Tupua Status.
Comments may be received via an online survey (link below), directly by email to [email protected] or through in-person engagements. Formal drop-in sessions will be held around Taranaki during the formal comment period, with dates and times for these provided on the Te Kāhui Tupua website on the link below.
Copies of the formal comment document, supporting information and comment survey will be available from 20 July 2026.
Click here for Te Kāhui Tupua Website
Click here to Complete Online Survey
HOKI MAI KI TARANAKI
Hoki Mai ki Taranaki is brought to you by He Toronga Pakihi ki Taranaki – the Taranaki Māori Business Network. It is a place of connection — linking people to jobs, grants, and scholarships across Taranaki. We support whānau to build skills, access opportunity, and contribute to the future of our rohe.
MOVED WHARE? Let’s stay connected!
To make sure you stay in the loop with pānui, events, and important updates from Te Kotahitanga o Te Atiawa, it’s really important we have your most up-to-date contact details.
If you’ve recently moved house, changed your email, or are no longer receiving our newsletters or mail, it probably means we don’t have your current details. Updating them is super easy – just click the button below to update online. Or, feel free to call our tari during office hours on (06) 758 4685 and we’ll help you out.
TAMARIKI TURNING 18?
Once your tamaiti turns 18, they can register as an adult member with Te Kotahitanga. This helps them stay informed and connected too. Registration can also be done online through our website.
Register with Te Kotahitanga o Te Atiawa- click here
He Kete Raukura: Pēpi Pack for newborn Te Atiawa pēpi
Te Kotahitanga o Te Atiawa
Ngāmotu House
Level 5, 139 Devon Street West,
New Plymouth
