Environmental Monitoring
Pirirakau Incorporated Society
Peter Rolleston outside the Pirirakau Environment Centre based at Te Puna, Tauranga
Pirirakau Incorporated Society has been operating since 1992. Peter and Erica Rolleston have been involved since that time. Initially they were a community group within this Society dealing with Raupatu issues. In 1998 they prepared and researched a Raupatu Claim, which was written and reported by them. Awareness of Environmental Issues and Conservation came about as a result. There were issues that stood out i.e. reclaiming history and heritage from recent developments in the Moana.
Strategies were developed for protection, informed by research on Raupatu. They gained understanding of why it was so paramount to protect the Environment. This knowledge certainly gave them confidence to go to the Environmental Court to discuss issues regarding planning and monitoring of plans from the council.Peter was elected onto the Bay of Plenty Conservation Board for a two year term. He is also a member of Smart Growth Tangata Whenua Committee. While they were awaiting an outcome of the claim they developed strategies, processes, advocacy, Environmental Education (educating hapu about the Environment) and they have grown from there.
Pirirakau Incorporated Society has recognised the importance of collecting and coordinating information on the environment and with this information enabling Maori to effectively participate in planning and resource management.
Direct Resourcing assisted Pirirakau Incorporated Society in purchasing a Global Positioning System to be used by Pirirakau Incorporated Society and made available to other whanau, hapu and Iwi groups, to run GPS Strategy/Training for whanau, hapu and iwi, Environmental Monitoring which includes implementing the Environmental Strategy involving whanau, hapu, iwi and Resource Management.
Nga Papaka o Rangataua
Marine Studies - Counting Titiko at Opupu (Rotary Park)
Nga Papaka o Rangataua is in the process of becoming Nga Papaka o Rangataua Charitable Trust. The group formally known as Nga Potiki has a Management Unit running under this name. Ngati He Kaitiaki RMU and Ngati Pukenga RMU (also part of the Management Unit) have been running Marine Studies and Earthwork Monitoring of Environmental and Cultural impacts for 1 ½ years.
Nga Papaka o Rangataua practice traditional and customary methods for sustenance and their three main objectives are Restoration of Tai Ao, Preservation of Tai Ao and Conservation of Tai Ao.
Direct Resourcing assisted Nga Papaka o Rangataua to establish a design concept for the Nga Papaka o Rangataua Environment Centre, to run the Marine Studies Training programmes, to purchase computer equipment and environmental software to assist in the day to day operations as well as participating in Pirirakau Incorporated Society’s Environmental Strategy Project.
Matakana Island Trust
Bird Monitoring – releasing of flagged chicks at Waikoura Point
Matakana Island Trust has local community support for the Bird Monitoring and Education Project. Respect for wildlife and taonga species has increased because of the involvement of the community. Before the awareness of this project the local community would drive through the nesting areas. Due to community education, locals are now more aware of endangered birds and taonga species that nest in their backyard. The local mill workers put logs across roads to protect the birds nesting from vehicles. When groups are booked at the marae information on the project is incorporated in with their stay. Groups are able to experience first hand, how the birds survive in their natural habitat without disturbing them. They are also shown how they can help protect these species in their local town. Posters are displayed in the local maraes, clubs, barges köhanga reo and kura every year. There is a website with a case study using this program and it demonstrates the importance of fostering local community projects by engaging local school children in the projects. The involvement of schools in the project is an effective means of engaging with the community. Children become great advocates and make sure their parents get the message.
Direct Resourcing assisted Matakana Island Trust to carry out the Bird Monitoring and Education Project by appointing a Bird Monitoring and Education officer to manage, monitor and enhance taonga species and their habitats, preserve and enhance the natural heritage and to educate others on the importance of looking after taonga species and their habitats.
Music & Cultural Enhancement
Te Kura Kokiri
Te Kura Kokiri Tauira utilising skills learnt from Music Lessons
For over 10 years leading up to 2000, Tauranga iwi had discussed the need of a Kura Kaupapa Maori in the western reaches of the rohe. To the extent that a pan tribal taskforce was established to champion the effort and complete a feasibility study. During this time Ngati Kahu negotiated with the Ministry, the allocation of part of their tribal lands to build such a Kura on.
While our whanau waited for something to eventuate, some transported their Tamariki to Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Otepou some 40 kilometres away. It was difficult to accept that our Tamarki had to leave their rohe to participate in a Kura Kaupapa education; however the whanau persevered for 18 moths before taking the matter into their own hands.
During the initial set-up period of Te Kura Kokiri, hui were held with four Kohanga within the immediate catchment that requested hui. As well, correspondence was sent to all 18 Kohanga Reo whanau and all iwi of Tauranga Moana. Two public hui were held. All contacted gave total support.
The opening of Te Kura Kokiri was attended by over 100 people including representatives of two Kura Kaupapa Maori and the wharekura in the district, three local schools, many of the local Kohanga Reo, Iwi and Maori organisations of Tauranga Moana.
Since then the kura has maintained a high profile in Tauranga and beyond. Te Kura Kokiri has featured in many radio interviews and press releases both locally and nationally. The kura attempts to attend all tangihanga, hura kohatu or major hui within our immediate rohe. It has featured in many of the local wananga, workshops and promotions, i.e. the Tamariki produced a Maori puppet show for the recent “Tamariki Ora” Hauora promotion and later took the show around the Kohanga Reo and is a regular feature in local kapa haka, sporting and cultural festivals. Again only positive feedback and encouragement has been received.
The above was written by Mark Nicholas Chairperson and Principal of Te Kura Kokiri based at Tawhitinui Marae, Otamarakau, Tauranga.
Te Kura Kokiri has recognised the importance of establishing a music suite with a range of instruments that will give naturally gifted Maori the opportunity to learn music and instruments, composition and recording for their future development. The purpose is to also have the musical equipment as part of the wider Kura Kaupapa programme in the Western Bay of Plenty.
Direct Resourcing assisted Te Kura Kokiri to purchase Musical Equipment and a Lockable Cupboard (for security of Musical Equipment) to be utilised initially by Te Kura Kokiri and other Kura Kaupapa through music lessons run by Te Kura Kokiri.
Whenua Tau
Tamariki at Kapa Haka Camp
Rangatahi at Tu Taua Wananga
Whenua Tau is a Maori organisation established in 2002 by a group of young Maori parents. Driven by Tamariki, as parents they realised that outside of school there were few opportunities for Tamariki to participate in activities that reflected a Maori value system. Added to this was the belief in the parents collective resources as a roopu in providing programmes that could address this issue
Whenua Tau has recognised “identity” is a major factor in determining the journey of ones life and for Tamariki me nga Rangatahi Maori this can be a time of turmoil. The programmes are aimed at specifically providing positive experiences that recognise a Maori value system through the exploration and expression of being Maori.
Direct Resourcing assisted Whenua Tau in purchasing traditional Musical Equipment to be utilised by Tamariki and Rangatahi through Kapa Haka Camps and Tu Taua Wananga run by Whenua Tau.
Tu Wairua Productions
Part of the Tu Wairua crew during a Rehearsal of the their Major Production
Tu Wairua is a Performing Arts group, established to nurture, promote and perform Maori song and dance, actively validating its unique significance within the Performing Arts Industry.
Tu Wairua aim to promote and provide training opportunities for Rangatahi Maori and the wider community through the medium of Performing Arts and to provide quality service of educators of Performing Arts.
Tu Wairua’s main goal for 2003 is to direct a production written and performed by Rangatahi Maori of Tauranga Moana. The production will be performed in the Waikato and Tauranga. This will be a one hour show with a cast of 15. The productions will convey a message of mental well-being through the story of Mauao and Puwhenua. The production is called “Te Purakau o Mauao” taking the audience back in time to the forest of Hautere where the mountains compete for the love of a beautiful mountain known as Te Puhi.
Direct Resourcing assisted Tu Wairua in purchasing costumes, venue hire, noho marae and promotion of production.
Runanga o Ngai Tamawhariua
Tauira during music lessons with Ngai Tamawhariua
Runanga o Ngai Tamawhariua is an Incorporated Society with Charitable Trust status. The core business focus has been on Health and Social Services providing these services to pan tribal and ethnic groups.
As part of the step towards better education opportunities within the rohe of Katikati, Runanga o Ngai Tamawhariua has recognised the importance of re-developing lost or dormant skills to the stage of competency and pride within the whanau or hapu. They have also developed a strategy to initiate musical enhancement and cultural awareness through offering lessons that will enable the user to learn specific skills as well as rediscover musical crafts of Mãori.
There is so much talent among our youth and this programme will present an avenue by which to express these talents; by learning new skills, by performing for kaumatua and kuia, by participating in community-sponsored public events, by seeking opportunities whereby further study can be undertaken and especially by giving them the opportunity to achieve a, perhaps, once unconquerable goal.
Direct Resourcing assisted Runanga o Ngai Tamawhariua in purchasing Musical Equipment for use by whanau, hapu and iwi through music lessons run by Runanga o Ngai Tamawhariua. Also utilising and supporting existing Youth Groups in the area.
Te Reo o Nga Rangatahi Charitable Trust
Winner of the "Voice of the Youth" Competition run by Te Reo o Nga Rangatahi in conjunction with Tahi FM and Powerhouse Studios
Te Reo o Nga Rangatahi Charitable Trust support and govern the Tauranga Moana Youth Council.
The proposal submitted encompasses several avenues of talent development and production in the Music area.
The project is called "Voice of the Youth" showcasing the Bay of Plenty’s finest youth talent. It is a two part competition run by Tahi FM 98.2, Tauranga’s local youth radio station who will invite all new and existing artists to submit a demo of their musical work.
The winner of the "new artist" competition will win professional tutoring, rehearsal and recording time in Powerhouse Recording Studios. At the end of this process they will have created a mastered track suitable for CD placement.
The winner/s of the "existing artist" competition will also have their tracks contributing to this compilation. All artists will gain massive exposure, experience and further opportunities for the future. Their work will be given local and national radio play and a brief biography will printed on the CD booklet encouraging other young people and fellow musicians to follow their dreams. This CD will be distributed (non-commercially) far and wide, and will become a true testament of Bay of Plenty Youth Talent. To celebrate the release of this CD Te Reo o Nga Rangatahi Charitable Trust will hold a CD Launch Concert which will feature live performances from al the successful artists that will make this CD an inspirational reality.
Direct Resourcing assisted Te Reo o Nga Rangatahi Charitable Trust to implement the project "Voice of Youth".
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