In this 2020 issue of Te Puna Pānui, Ngāti Tama looks back on the past 12 months, covid-19, the unveiling and blessing of pouwhenua, Ngā Tīmoti, and present the Ngāti Tama Strategy 2050.
Message from the Chairman
Welcome to Te Puna Pānui December 2020. As we draw closer to the end of the work year, school year and ‘year of Covid’, I hope our whānau are looking forward to Christmas and the festive season. It is a busy time for us and like many of you, we are keen to close the lid on 2020 and start fresh in 2021.
2020 has thrown us many challenges, but it has shown above all to keep whānau wellbeing as the number one priority. This year we have all adapted through many changes and we thank whānau for baring with us through those changes. We understand that whānau may still be struggling as we continue to feel the effects of lockdowns, border restrictions, unstable work, and reduced income. We want to support you our whānau as much as we can.
2020 has thrown us many challenges, but it has shown above all to keep whānau wellbeing as the number one priority. This year we have all adapted through many changes and we thank whānau for baring with us through those changes. We understand that whānau may still be struggling as we continue to feel the effects of lockdowns, border restrictions, unstable work, and reduced income. We want to support you our whānau as much as we can.
Our 2020 AGM was postponed to October due to lockdown and although some restrictions were still in place, we were able to gather a quorum and livestream the proceedings through our online Ngāti Tama app. We received positive feedback from many of you, whānau were able to make comments and put questions to the Trustees. We will continue to find ways such as livestreaming so that whānau can participate in Tama kaupapa. We look forward to hosting our next AGM and whānau wānanga in Whakatū, these dates are set for Friday 23rd of April to Monday 26th of April – save these dates whānau.
The National Iwi Chairs Forum meet every 4 month and recently we gathered in Ngāmotu, New Plymouth. Hosted by our Taranaki whanaunga, on the 5th and 6th of November, a date of huge significance as the commemoration of the 1881 invasion of Parihaka, the mamae of this hara was acknowledged throughout the hui.
Te Whata, www.tewhata.io was launched at The National Iwi Chairs Forum and is an innovative data platform. Te Whata currently has Census, Te Kupenga data and Ministry of Education data available to access on an Iwi-by-Iwi basis and also has the ability for individual iwi to administer and customise to suit their purposes. This site was borne out of the bungled 2013 Census and the significant undercount of the Māori population.
Ngāti Tama also responded to the poor 2013 census data by delivering our own Iwi Census earlier this year. We had 28% of members participate, which is a relatively high iwi participation rate and a great benchmark milestone for us. Ngāti Tama will continue to deliver the census regularly as the data is invaluable to the Trust’s strategic planning and development.
The 2020 Tama Census supported the development of the Tama 2050 Strategy
Our new Ngāti Tama strategy is presented further along in this pānui. Post-covid Ngāti Tama is financially in a strong position. Tama Asset Holding Company decided to maintain higher levels of cash and now they are ready for good direct investments that might come up because of covid.
We understand that whānau may still be struggling as we continue to feel the effects. We want to support you, our whānau as much as we can. Now in recovery, we are finding ways to relieve pressure from families in addition to the relief grants, kai packs, and vouchers. Earlier this year Ngāti Tama secured funding from RUIA to supply back to school packs to our tamariki, tamariki nohinohi and rangatahi. Packed with stationery, books and Ngāti Tama merchandise, we can support our kids to be prepared for the 2021 school year. More details about ordering a pack is inside this pānui.
In closing, I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and New Year, stay safe on the roads and if you are travelling, look after one another. To our whānau who live outside of the rohe, if you have no other plans I invite you to consider coming to Te Tauihu, to your place, to explore and learn, come for the holidays, the summer or come to our AGM in April – nau mai hoki mai ki te ūkaipō.
Nō reira, tēnā tatou e te whānau o Ngāti Tama ki Te Tauihu.
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BUTCH LITTLE
CHAIR
