News

Rio Tinto Leaders and Murihiku Upoko meet to discuss the Future

On December 5th 2022, Ivan Vella (CEO of Rio Tinto Aluminium), Armando Torres (Managing Director of Rio subsidiary Pacific Aluminium, and Chris Blenkiron, CE of NZ Aluminium Smelter) met in Wellington with Murihiku Upoko – Ta Tipene O’Regan and Terry Nicholas to discuss the future operations of the NZ Aluminium Smelter (see picture). The Hui was supported by Te Rūnanga o Ngai Tahu CEO- Arihia Bennett, and Murihiku Regeneration advisors- David Stock and Mike Shatford.Tiwai Ministers and Rio Tinto Meeting

Among subjects discussed, were decarbonisation, the energy transition, progress around site mediation and the set-up of the Joint Tiwai Advisory Group, and consideration of future intentions around Tiwai Smelter Site closure and the potential to remain for the future.

“It was a positive meeting, and we encouraged Ivan and his team to look to reach out and firm up their future intentions for the smelter. We see the opportunity for a long term future, based around the energy transition and rapid decarbonisation of their industrial processes.” said Ta Tipene O’Regan.

A joint meeting between Upoko, Rion Tinto and with relevant government Ministers – Hon Grant Robertson and Non Megan Woods, was then undertaken in beehive offices to update on the state of play.

“It was a constructive meeting, and we appreciated the willingness for Ministers to meet with us. It identified further discussions were needed, and the issue of all parties acting in the national interest was also made by Ta Tipene and myself,” said Terry Nicholas.

Murihiku Regeneration, through Hokonui Rūnanga continues to engage with Rio Tinto and relevant stakeholders on the future of the smelter and wanting to give certainty to the region.

Posted: 31 March 2023

Rangatahi Tumeke Trust celebrates 10th birthday

Story by Rachael Kelly. Published in Stuff.

A trust that connects rangatahi with nature celebrated its 10th birthday on Friday.

Rangatahi Tumeke Trust hosts camps and leadership programmes for rangatahi Māori with the aim of instilling a sense of belonging from a taha Māori perspective.

More than 360 children had been on the trusts’ five-day camps at the Catlins, where they learnt skills including fishing, floundering, camping out and abseiling, Rangatahi Tumeke Charitable Trust director of programmes and relationships Stephanie Blair said.

”I was a teacher and I felt our kids needed to be taken back into nature and the environment,’’ she said.

”As well as activities, there’s waiata, karakia and they learn about their whakapapa, which creates a connectedness, so they get to know who they are from a taha Māori point of view.’’

Children who ‘’showed potential or stepped up’’ became tuakana in a leadership programme and lead activities on the camps, she said.

Blair said she did not want money to be a barrier for children taking part.

Families were encouraged to donate a koha of time or food to the programme, but it had been mostly funded by Ngāi Tahu.

Celebrations were held at the Te Rau Aroha Marae at Bluff with a pōwhiri, kai and live band.

Posted: 20 March 2023

Great turnout at community service providers collective hui

On Tuesday 14 March 2023, Hokonui Rūnanga hosted a hui to bring together representatives from the many social service providers in our rohe. About 30 representatives took time out of their busy lives to attend, connect and provide invaluable insights.

The hui was part of the Whānau as First Navigators project - an iwi-led early support and prevention programme that focuses on strengthening whānau.

The programme supports whānau wellbeing, through and with social service providers, so that tamariki and whānau can lead their own aspirations.

Building better community connections

The purpose of the hui was to discuss ways the Hokonui Rūnanga Health and Social Services Trust can better connect and work with other service providers - to ensure better outcomes for whānau. The goal is to strengthen Rūnanga and community provider partnerships to ensure multi-levelled intervention pathways are accessible, timely and appropriate for whānau.

The hui provided an opportunity for providers to get together in one room, connect, and share their experiences.

A big thank you to the Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu Whānau as First Navigators Team for facilitating the event (see photo below). Thanks also to the Hokonui RūnanTe Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu Whānau as First Navigators team l-r: Robyn Wallace, Deirdre Richardson, Phoebe Gardiner, Tahu Russel, and Monique Tupai.ga Health and Social Services Team for their input into a productive and successful event (Meet our team here).

Penny Nicholas, Whānau as First Navigators Project Lead at Hokonui, was particularly interested in finding out from the hui what the Rūnanga needs to work on to better connect with other service providers and to identify any potential gaps in service. She stated that: “Today’s turnout was better than I could have expected and I value the openess and honesty of all the participants.”

Next steps - to collate the information and insights shared and to report back findings. Watch this space!

Posted: 17 March 2023

Great turnout at community service providers collective hui

On Tuesday 14 March 2023, Hokonui Rūnanga hosted a hui to bring together representatives from the many social service providers in our rohe. About 30 representatives took time out of their busy lives to attend, connect and provide invaluable insights.

The hui was part of Whānau as First Navigators - an iwi-led early support and prevention programme that focuses on strengthening whānau.

The programme supports whānau wellbeing, through and with social service providers, so that tamariki and whānau can lead their own aspirations.

The hui provided a great opportunity for the many social service providers in our rohe to connect and share their insights.

Building better community connections

The purpose of the hui was to discuss ways the Hokonui Rūnanga Health and Social Services Trust can better connect and work with other service providers - to ensure better outcomes for whānau. The goal is to strengthen Rūnanga and community provider partnerships to ensure multi-levelled intervention pathways are accessible, timely and appropriate for whānau.

The hui provided an opportunity for providers to get together in one room, connect, and share their experiences.

A big thank you to the Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu Whānau as First Navigators Team for facilitating the event (see photo below). Thanks also to the Hokonui Rūnanga Health and Social Services Team for their input into a productive and successful event (Meet our team here).

Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu Whānau as First Navigators team l-r: Robyn Wallace, Deirdre Richardson, Phoebe Gardiner, Tahu Russel, and Monique Tupai.

Penny Nicholas, Whānau as First Navigators Project Lead at Hokonui, was particularly interested in finding out from the hui what the Rūnanga needs to work on to better connect with other service providers and to identify any potential gaps in service. She stated that: “Today’s turnout was better than I could have expected and I value the openess and honesty of all the participants.”

Next steps - to collate the information and insights shared and to report back findings. Watch this space!

Posted: 16 March 2023

Energy and Innovation Wananga 2023

Dates set for 23-24 May

Dates have now been set for the Murihiku Regeneration Energy and Innovation Wananga for 23-24 May to be held at the Ascot Park Conference Centre in Invercargill. Over 200 people are expected to attend the two day event, which will include a range of speakers, panels and interactive workshops.

This event follows on from our very successful November 2021 event, where more than 180 people attended the two day wananga.

Image from 2021 Science and Innovation Wānanga of Ra Dallas introducing the event.

This year we will be focusing on identifying how we can turn regional strategy plans into action. We will also want to bring the community along with us, and keep them informed on what is being planned for the future”, says Terry Nicholas, Portfolio Director.

To find out more on this event go to energy and innovation wananga.

To ask a question or post a comment go here.

Posted: 7 March 2023