Matauranga Strategy - Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated

Preface
Whaia Te Iti Kahurangi O Te Waka Takitimu
Search for the treasures of our tipuna.
Te Waka Tapu O Täkitimu is a symbol of the spiritual and physical endeavours of our tüpuna
to enhance the well-being and mana of the people… ki te whaio ao, ki te ao märama!
It is a metaphor of how that mission motivated the existing capabilities, skills and courage of
our people across uncharted oceans - to where we are today - and inspires and encourages
us to move positively and with confidence into the future.
Notwithstanding that over 50% of Mäori living in the Ngäti Kahungunu rohe are not Kahungunu
and that the bulk of Mäori tamariki / rangatahi attend mainstream educational institutions, there
have been / are many positive Mäori educational developments and achievements, especially
over the last 10 years or so, throughout Ngäti Kahungunu, that uplift all Mäori and all peoples.
Within the rohe of Ngäti Kahungunu there are 62 Te Kohanga Reo and 7 Kura Kaupapa Mäori.
Te Wänanga Whare Täpere O Täkitimu delivered the first tertiary degree in Hawkes Bay and
Te Manga Mäori at the Eastern Institute of Technology delivers the BA (Mäori) and an honours
degree based on Pine Pine Te Kura. Fortnightly kaumätua hui are held in the Heretaunga
Taiwhenua and hapu are holding regular wänanga. This year, the Kahungunu Economic
Summits have been held in Napier, Wairoa and in the Wairarapa, and a Knowledge Wave
Summit was held in Hastings. The academic scholarship applications reflect increasing numbers
of Ngäti Kahungunu tauira seeking a wide range of graduate and post-graduate qualifications
all over the country and offshore.
At the other extreme, too many of our babies are living/dying in pain through violence and
neglect and unless we exhibit and practice intolerance of even one more such life or death,
the mana and well being of Ngäti Kahungunu is not being enhanced. This crisis situation
demands that environmental and personal changes need to be made and that we work towards
developing physical and emotional security for our pëpi, our rangatahi, our wähine, our täne,
our whänau.
The role of the current Ngäti Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated (NKII) Mätauranga Board, with
representation of the 6 Taiwhenua, the 2 Kahungunu Pouwhakataki and the NKII Board, is to
maintain the overview of the iwi, to further develop the mätauranga strategic plan and to action
agreed strategic objectives as soon as practicable. The mahi has begun building on what was
already in place.
Matauranga underpins all areas of the Ngäti Kahungunu Iwi 25 year Vision and we adopt and
adapt the matauranga goals given by Mason Durie at the 2001 Hui Taumata in Taupo. That
is,
To be Kahungunu.
To participate as contributing citizens in the world.
To be healthy and enjoy a high standard of living.
Christine Teariki
Convenor
Ngäti Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated Matauranga Board
November 2002
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