Rangitāne o Wairau

01/08/2026

Ngā manatu o raurangi - Ākuhata - 2/8/1861 – He reta nā te rūnanga a Rangitāne regarding the Wairau Native Reserve

On 2 August 1861, te Rūnanga a Rangitāne sent a letter to the Governor and Donald McLean (Chief Crown Land Purchaser). They speak in the letter about how difficult living at the Wairau Native Reserve had become. They spoke about how McLean had promised that the Reserve was for Rangitāne, completely and entirely - not for any other iwi. They spoke about how in Francis MacDonald's inn on the Boulder Bank, McLean said that Te Tana Pukekohatu would be on his 50 acres at Tuamarie (Tuamarino) and that Rangitāne would have its own reserve. The Rūnanga urged McLean to quickly respond to them because Alexander McKay was coming to subdivide the Rangitāne reserve for Te Tana Pukekohatu and his people.

The letter was penned by many Rangitāne rangatira including, Enoka Takahaere, Paraone Taitua, Ihaia Nohota, Hohua Kingi, Hura Parapara, Watene Ihupaea, Paora Rangitakaia, Te Wikiriwha Waiharakeke, Rota Te Kawau, Hamuera, Koro, Hekeira Paora, Teoti Makitanara, Hopa Te Rangihiroa, Hoani, Wiremu and Hakaraia.

30/07/2026

E te whānau, our July Pānui is out now! ✉️

Catch up on the latest news, updates, and happenings across Rangitāne in this month's edition.

📖 Read it here: https://rangitane.org.nz/panui/kei-puta-te-wairau

Feel free to share with your whānau and friends.

30/07/2026

E te whānau, there are just 6 days remaining to update or change your electoral roll details. Every vote matters, so take a moment to ensure you're enrolled correctly and ready to have your say. ❤🖤🤍

📢 Māori Roll or General Roll – Make Your Choice

E te whānau, did you know you can choose which roll you’re on - the Māori roll or the general roll?

This choice is important because it helps shape how Māori are represented in Parliament and how our voices are heard.

If you’d like to change rolls, you’ll need to update your enrolment **before 6 August**.

📌 What is the Māori Electoral Option?
👉 https://vote.nz/maori-enrolment/about-the-option/about/what-is-the-maori-electoral-option

📌 Māori roll or general roll – what’s the difference?
👉 https://vote.nz/maori-enrolment/about-the-option/about/maori-roll-or-general-roll

Take a moment to check your enrolment and make the choice that’s right for you.

29/07/2026

📸 He Kura Toi Tangata: 50 Years of the Waitangi Tribunal (1975–2025)

Kō ngā tahu ā ō tapuwai inanahi, hei tauira mō āpōpō

Whānau are invited to the closing of He Kura Toi Tangata, a photographic exhibition marking 50 years of the Waitangi Tribunal and its enduring role in hearing, recording, and addressing the stories of tangata whenua across Aotearoa.

📍 Te Kahu o Waipuna | Marlborough Art Gallery
🗓 Sunday 9 August 2026
⏰ 2.00pm

Presented in partnership with Rangitāne o Wairau, Marlborough Art Gallery | Te Kahu o Waipuna, and the Waitangi Tribunal, the exhibition features a curated selection of 50 images from the Tribunal's archive. These images highlight significant moments and people from the Tribunal's establishment and development, alongside key inquiries, findings, and the experiences of those who have taken part in its processes.

This closing event is an opportunity to reflect on five decades of kōrero, advocacy, and redress, and to acknowledge the people and stories that have shaped the Tribunal's journey since 1975. Join us as we mark the conclusion of this important exhibition and celebrate the legacy of those who have contributed to the pursuit of justice and recognition through the Waitangi Tribunal.

29/07/2026

🌉 Te Rourou Bridge Unveiled in Waimea

This week marked the completion of the Lower Queen Street Bridge as part of the Borck Creek flood minimisation works. The bridge features beautiful iwi kōwhaiwhai designs on its eight main structural posts, which were unveiled by the iwi of Te Tauihu.

The bridge has been named Te Rourou, reflecting the rich history of the Waimea Plains and estuary as a food basket that has long provided sustenance for communities across the region.

A special acknowledgement to our Rangitāne whānau Waimārie and Maraea Apiata, who unveiled the Rangitāne portion of the bridge artwork, and to Wayne Hippolite for leading the karakia and helping to mark this significant occasion with mana and meaning.

This is a special milestone that celebrates partnership, identity, and the shared history of Te Tauihu.

28/07/2026

Celebrating Matariki with our Horowhenua Rangitāne Whānau ❤

On Saturday 25 August, our Horowhenua whānau came together to celebrate Matariki, marking a time of remembrance, reflection, and looking ahead to the future.

It was wonderful to see such a strong turnout, with 65 whānau joining together for a day filled with connection, laughter, and community spirit. Events like these provide a special opportunity to strengthen relationships, honour our shared traditions, and celebrate what makes our whānau and communities so strong.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who attended and helped make the day such a success.

Matariki mā Puanga - celebrating our past, present, and future together. 🌟

28/07/2026

For some of our whānau, this home represents the achievement of a dream that has been passed down through generations.

This week’s More Than a Home story highlights the power of breaking generational barriers and what becomes possible when those barriers are removed.

27/07/2026

Kia hiwa rā, kia hiwa rā! ⚓

An exciting opportunity is available for one rangatahi from ngā iwi o Te Tauihu to be chosen and put forward for an international marine science research voyage aboard the RV Sonne in 2027.

The 23-day voyage will depart from and return to Wellington from 15 February to 10 March 2027, supporting research into submarine landslides, seafloor structures, earthquake and tsunami risk in the Cook Strait region.

This opportunity would best suit a mature rangatahi or young adult, ideally 18 years or older, with an interest in science, the moana, natural hazards, environmental studies, geography, marine science, engineering, emergency management or climate resilience.

The selected rangatahi will work alongside scientists and researchers, take part in real marine research activities at sea, and bring their learning home to share with whānau, marae and iwi.

Iwi will review expressions of interest and choose one rangatahi to put forward. Applicants may be asked to share why they are interested, what they hope to learn, and how they would share the experience back with whānau, marae or iwi.

Travel costs to and from the vessel are expected to be covered, with a small scholarship potentially available. If you know a rangatahi who may be suitable, please contact Te Kotahi for more information about the expression of interest and nomination process.

Contact: Tina Thompson, Te Kotahi o Te Tauihu Charitable - [email protected]

Nominations close Friday 28 August 2026.

27/07/2026

He mihi aroha ki a Kōkā Helen. 💛💙

Rangitāne joins Marlborough Boys’ College in acknowledging Kōkā Helen Joseph and her many years of service to the school community.

Trust Co-Chairperson Janis de Thierry spoke on behalf of Rangitāne at the farewell, acknowledging Kōkā Helen’s service and commitment, and the way her example of Mana Māori has been seen and felt through her presence, actions and words.

Her contribution has supported many rangatahi over the years, helping to strengthen their connection to tikanga, reo and identity, and that influence will continue to be felt for years to come.

Ngā mihi nui ki a koe, Kōkā Helen.
�Haere rā i runga i te aroha me ngā manaakitanga.