Te Hokinga Mai o Te Mauri o Te Hikoi ki Ruawharo

Ngati Kahungunu commenced our part of the hikoi to Parliament on the Foreshore and Seabed issue at Ruawharo Marae, Opoutama, Mahia.  Sand brought from Hawaiki by Ruawharo aboard the Takitimu Waka was taken to Wellington from Mahia beach by marchers as a symbolic demonstration of our unbroken ties with the Foreshore and Seabed.

Ngai Tama, the hapu of Ruawharo Marae are now seeking wider Ngati Kahungunu support for their land “take”, namely the claim to accretion land, (that is, land left high and dry due to sea recession), between the Foreshore & Seabed and a noveau-riche residential development that threatens to sever ties and access of Ngai Tama’s whakapapa to that section of the coastal area.  Hapu and whanau members have staged a noho on the land until at least the 17th of September, election day.

It is a timely call for support firstly because we need to return the mauri of the Foreshore & Seabed hikoi to Ruawharo Marae.  Secondly it’s a time when all hapu can support one of our fellow hapu in asserting its whakapapa and tikanga rights.

This return hikoi – te hokinga mai o te mauri will be held on Sunday the 4th of September.  It will commence in Wairarapa at 5 am – coming through Tamaki Nui a Rua at 6.30 am, Tamatea at 7 am, through Heretaunga and Whanganui a Orotu by 8 am stopping in Wairoa by 10.30 am.  The convoy will proceed to Nuhaka before departure to Mahia Beach by 11 am.

Karakia and mihimihi will be held at that stage, whakawhanaungatanga with Ngai Tama and I predict that travelers, especially those from Wairarapa could take their leave about 2pm remembering that it is a 5 and a half hour direct trip back to Wairarapa.

We need representation from each Taiwhenua, preferably each hapu to present their own interests to Ngai Tama, and a vehicle from each would be fantastic.  Convoyers should provide their own lunch and drinks so as not to stretch the scant resources of Ngai Tama.  We will arrive and depart with minimal fuss.

This event will pre-empt the 7th wave of Takitimu, which is the hikoi to the ballot box on September 17th.  I urge Taiwhenua, hapu and whanau members to support this event.

Nau mai, haere mai, tautoko mai tenei - Te hokinga mai o te mauri o te hikoi ki Ruawharo

NGAHIWI TOMOANA

Chairman

For more information please contact:

Ruth Wong Phone: 06 8762718 Toll free 0800 524 864

Email: ruth@kahungunu.iwi.nz

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