UPDATE - BOI MANA WHENUA HEARINGS @ MATAHIWI MARAE The last 2 days the Board of Inquiry Hearings for our Tukituki river being dammed was held at Matahiwi Marae where our 6 Marae, some experts, and Ngati Kahungunu CEO Adele Whyte have given evidence. Everyone came from different perspectives; Moana Jackson/Matahiwi was brilliant & very moving, Tom Mulligan/Matahiwi spoke of river life since the 50s, Bayden Barber/Waimarama spoke in te reo Māori of whakapapa and significant wāhi tapu sites along the river, Margie McGuire/Kohupatiki reminisced on the abundance of fish, tuna, flounder, smelts and the degradation of the river, Kepa Morgan/Ruahapia explained his Mauri Model, Hira Huata chanted whakapapa & presented the degradation of their river caused by small dams, Marei Apatu/Omahu also covered whakapapa and the tensions through lack of consultation, Ngatai Huata/Waipatu spoke & sang of the essence of water, wairua, natural environment and not by human intervention. The Board respected her informed views, noting her daily attendance since November. Adele Whyte clarified incorrect dates and meeting attendances and NKIIncs processes of ensuring cultural values, consultation is paramount with hapu, marae and whanau. She and Marei were cross examined for nearly 2 hours each. Ngahiwi wrapped up by a subtle (?) message that Matahiwi Marae and all our hapū are not indifferent to political adversity, its in our whakapapa, we have protested for 170 years, marched on Foreshore and Seabed Hikoi, been to Privvy council and will stand by our cultural values and principles no matter what. Hence the Hearings finished at almost 11pm tonight. It was a looong day but deeply enriching listening to so much history, knowledge and with passion. Really felt the presence of our tipuna. We sang, kapa haka, himene, waiata, and had lots of fun as well. Nā Numia Tomoana
Posted on: Sat, 18 Jan 2014 00:02:53 +0000
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