Waihao Rūnanga update

On Sunday 8 July members from the Takapō Working Party will be coming to the executive hui to give an update about the new Earth and Sky headquarters which is being built by Ngāi Tahu Tourism at Takapō. The building will feature a new day time star gazing experience where visitors will explore and learn about the night sky. The Takapō Working Party who are made up of representatives from Arowhenua, Waihao and Moeraki Rūnanga and Professor Rangi Mātāmua have been supporting Ngāi Tahu Tourism and Earth & Sky to ensure the new experience is grounded in whakaaro and mātauranga Ngāi Tahu.

Whanau are invited to attend this update which will be held from 11am till 12 followed by lunch. To assist with catering can those whanau who wish to attend let the office know

[email protected]

Venue: Waihao Marae

Date: July 8th

Pōwhiri: 11am -12 followed by kia

Matariki wānanga

On Tuesday 10 July a wānanga about Māori star lore, Matariki, and the new Ngāi Tahu Tourism and Earth & Sky tourist attraction is going to be held for whānau from Arowhenua, Waihao and Moeraki at Arowhenua Marae. The wānanga will start at 2pm and will conclude with kai at the marae at 5pm. For those that are keen there will be a night time star gazing session and accommodation will be available at the marae for this. (This night time session is weather dependant) Numbers are strictly limited, so if you are interested, please RSVP to [email protected] or call 021 940 753.

This wānanga will be led by Professor Rangi Matamua and supported by the Takapō Working Party. Rangi was born and raised in Ruatāhuna and affiliates through his dad to Ngāi Tūhoe. Rangi is an ambassador of the revitalisation of Māori language, tikanga and culture, and in particular he is considered one of the country’s leading experts on Māori astronomy. On a recent trip to Bluff, to work with our Awarua whānau on Māori star lore, Rangi discovered that his mother has links to the Stirling whānau. Rangi has been a leading voice in trying to ensure that the stories of Matariki and the Māori use of the stars is shared with our whānau. We are fortunate to have Rangi working alongside the Takapō Working Party and our team at Ngāi Tahu Tourism to help ensure that our Māori astronomical knowledge is included and integrated with contemporary astronomical knowledge.

Ngā mihi

Sharon Karipa

Projects Advisor | Ngāi Tahu Holdings| 15 Show Place | PO Box 13575| Christchurch