TE HONONGA

HE MIHI E rere a tai mihi tangata ki runga i ngā ngaru o Kiwa – ki te tai whakararo, ki te tai

whakarunga. Tātou katoa o ngā one tawhito e ponitaka i te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa, tēnei e

mihi manahau atu, e whakamānawa atu ki a koutou katoa, kei aku rangatira.

Well whanau – first I must say a Merry Christmas for 2017 and a Happy New Year to

everyone and best wishes for a productive and prosperous 2018! I can’t believe yet

another year has literally flown by – seems the older you get the faster the calendar

moves! But as you will see from this newsletter we had a very full 2017 and it is looking

like 2018 will be no different.

We’ve been involved in some amazing projects this past year and continue to work with

wonderful passionate people who care about their communities and environments and

building capacity of people they work with. It is always a pleasure and something we are

so proud to be involved in. We completed a National project which involved us travelling

to many First Nations communities across the country and being hosted in such welcoming

ways. We’ve continued our local work in BC with communities and health authorities. A

big accomplishment this year was the opening of our Hawaii office where we are now

officially registered and where we’ve started some projects. However our roots are always

in New Zealand and it’s been a pleasure continuing to work with our friends and whānau

in Aotearoa managing several projects there including some key indigenous health events

and hikoi to the northern hemisphere.

We’ve had many visitors grace our shores from Aotearoa over the year and there always

seems to be someone from home who comes here for conferences and visiting various

people across the country. It’s awesome when we get to share some hospitality and host

manuhiri from home and catch up on the news!

For me personally, and my sister it has been a tough year with the unexpected loss of our

dear Dad Dick Andrews in August as well as our only great grand-Aunty Kotiro August.

Losing people so close to you who have supported us as whānau as well as our little

company has a huge impact. Both Dad and Aunty were strong supporters of us and our

mahi and we will forever miss them and appreciate that never-ending support. Thankfully

they have left us amazing memories!

Thanks to everyone for your continued support and friendship. Don’t forget if you are ever

in Canada come and see this group of homesick whānau and bring us some weetbix,

peanut slabs and Watties spaghetti!

Much love to everyone – and all the best for 2018! Arohanui, Mara

www.kahuitautoko.com

He mihi – a welcome

He maimai aroha – a

dedication to our dad

and aunt

Aotearoa Mahi – an

update of work within

New Zealand

Canada Mahi – an

update of Canada

work

Te Tini a Māui 2017

Merry Christmas to all!

IN THIS TE HONONGA:

HAKIHEA | DECEMBER 2017

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Rangiataahua August (Aunty Kotiro) died 22 August 2017

at Opotiki. Only sister to our late grandfather Teiwiwhati

Anaru (Dick Anaru). This photo was taken at Henley UK

where Aunty attended Mara’s MBA graduation!

Richard Andrews (Dick Anaru II) passed 3 August 2017 from a

sudden illness. Our Dad was a strong hardworking man who

taught all his kids and moko’s the meaning of hard work; to

respect the old people; to be humble and to always look after

visitors. He also made us kids wash the car after every long

trip and we weren’t allowed inside the house until we did LOL!

Loved and missed by his kids and mokos.

HE MAIMAI AROHA Kai kinikini ai te mamae i a ahau e. Te kūkū o te manawa, e kai ngoto nei te aroha i te ngākau – mō kōrua kua riro.

E te ura o te rangi, e te hihi o te rā, kua tau te pōkēāo ki runga i a mātou i tō ngarohanga. Kei te poutokomanawa o te

whare o tāukiuki, te kaipupuri i ngā āhuatanga o onamata, nei mātou e haku atu nei, ānō ko te horu o tō moana e papaki

nei i Te Rae o Tāngoio.

E te ipo kahurangi, te kura a Hineteiwaiwa, e tū tahanga nei mātou i tō ngarohanga. Kei te wahine marae, kei te

whakakanohitanga o te hūmarie, o te ngākau māhaki, e heke ana a roimata me he wai ka pari ki Kauaetangohia.

Ki a kōrua kua riro nei i ngā ringa makihuhunu, i ngā ringa nopenope o Aituā, takahia te ara o Tāne ki te huinga i

Tūpaengaru, ki tō rahi e pōhiri atu ki a kōrua. Haere, okioki.

E kore e mutu te aroha…

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AOTEAROA MAHI It is great to continue working with our New Zealand whānau. Whenever we are home we try our hardest to visit everyone and it’s always great to hear the developments that are occurring around the motu. It is also exciting to continue helping out wherever we can. This year we have continued to develop an international collaboration with the support of Tumu Whakarae and other indigenous health leaders from Hawai’i, Canada and the wider USA. This collaboration is super exciting and has great potential. We have also continued to work with some of our long time clients such as the team from Te Roopū Tautoko ki te Tonga in Dunedin. We would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge and congratulate a close friend of ours, Brenda, for her recent developments with Central Health and the beginnings of her new journey!

TUMU WHAKARAE: HE HIKOI RANGAHAU There were further opportunities this year for Tumu Whakarae members to connect with health leaders around the Pacific Rim and Kahui Tautoko was once again privileged to be able to organize, escort and write up the report of the 2017 hikoi. We want to acknowledge Whaea Naida Glavish and the team for demonstrating such leadership to make these connections and learn from one another. Tumu Whakarae continues to find opportunities to learn more about what other indigenous health leaders are doing to accelerate indigenous health gains in their respective countries, and to bring those learnings home for the benefit of Maori.

NEW BEGINNINGS FOR CENTRAL HEALTH Central Health has been an avid supporter of Kāhui Tautoko since our inception. We have worked with Central Health, under the direction of Brenda Kupa for many years, helping out where ever we can. Central Health grew out of Te Whatuiāpiti Trust in Central Hawkes Bay which was set up in 1993-1994 in response to strong calls from the local community to have their own health services provided by their own people. Central Health strive to deliver holistic quality services that improve whānau wellbeing that lead to a better quality of life while still retaining the values and principles established by Te Whatuiāpiti Trust. Since Central Health emerged it grew to become a well-respected service provider within the wider Hawke’s Bay region and also on a regional and national level as well. Brenda has now handed over the reins of Central Health to Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga and we wish both the Taiwhenua and Brenda all the very best for the future. We want to acknowledge the hard work of the team, and of course Brenda, in developing such a sound organisation. The commitment to quality, the ongoing pursuit for innovation, the cultural underpinning ensured that the services that were delivered were of a high quality and standard. You never forgot where you were from and who you were serving. The growth in services and the expansion of the organisation is a result of the efforts that were put in for all of those years. We were fortunate to witness and be part of the growth of the organisation. Kāhui Tautoko Consulting is thankful for your commitment and support of us and helping us grow to where we are today. We are thankful for continuing to believe in us and making us part of your story. We want to thank all individuals that we have worked with for your ongoing support and patience when we have been hassling you for information! We want to wish you all best wishes on your journeys ahead and congratulate Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga for the quality services that they have received.

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This year, the group reconvened in Anchorage Alaska and was part of the National Indian Health Board Tribal Public Health Summit, in June 2017. The week-long conference began with a dinner to meet members of the National Indian Health Board (NIHB) over dinner. This was an opportunity to informally discuss the coming conference and to talk about the work of the collaboration. Also in attendance were health leaders from Hawaii.

NIHB is a national body that advocates for the rights of all federally recognised American Indian and Alaska Native Tribes through the fulfilment of the trust responsibility to deliver health and public health services. The theme of the conference was “Together We Rise: Sustaining Tribal Public Health as a National Priority” with presentations falling within 5 tracks which focussed on health promotion, youth wellness, public health policy, behavioural health and environmental health.

Members of Tumu Whakarae had opportunities to present at various parts of the conference: as a break-out session panel and as plenary panel members. For Tumu Whakarae in particular, the conference was an opportunity to share with everyone developments that are occurring within New Zealand – putting NZ on the map! The conference overall was a great opportunity to network and to discuss future work within the collaboration. After the conference, and spending time in the great State of Alaska (in the somewhat mild weather),

the hikoi group travelled to Phoenix, Arizona (to drastically different weather!).

Several meetings were organised in Phoenix. The organisations we visited included Phoenix Indian Medical Centre (a federal hospital that is run by Native Americans), Gila River Tribal Health Corporation (a tribally run and owned hospital) and Desert Visions Tribal Treatment Centre (a treatment centre that incorporates traditional concepts).

Overall, the study tours are opportunities to: gain first hand exposure to international indigenous examples of work associated with accelerating indigenous health gain; strengthen relationships with indigenous peers; expand learning on performance measurement related to indigenous health progress and outcomes

It’s always great to get out and see all of the great initiatives that are being run by indigenous people!

Me mihi ka tika ki ngā pakiaka e totoro ki ngā one o tata, o kōkēi.

Above: NIHB Board Members with indigenous leaders of the collaboration

Below: The presentation team from left to right, Naida Glavis, Sheri Daniels,

Diane Paloma, Riki NiaNia and Leslie Bonshor

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DENA’INA WELLNESS CENTER - KENAITZE During our time in Alaska, Tumu Whakarae made a day trip to Kenai. The trip to Kenai

was to meet the staff of the Dena’ina Wellness Center, a Kenaitze Indian Tribe

healthcare facility which operates their version of the now famed Alaska Nuka model.

The Kenaitze Indian Tribe was federally recognized as a sovereign, independent nation

in 1971 under the Indian Reorganization Act.

Today, they have more than 1,600 tribal members who live across the Kenai Peninsula

and beyond. They employ about 300 full-time and part-time employees.

The tribe delivers a variety of programs and services that promote the wellness of

their people and the community. In 2014, they opened the 52,000-square-foot

Dena’ina Wellness Center, a fully integrated healthcare facility offering a wide range

of services beneath one roof. They also operate a tribal justice system, early childhood

education centre, elders centre, social services program, and more many of which we

managed to see and hear about.

INTERNATIONAL INDIGENOUS HEALTH COLLABORATION The leadership of Tumu Whakarae has led to the emergence of an exciting International Indigenous Health Collaboration that involves indigenous health leaders from Pacific Rim countries – NZ, Canada, US (Hawai’i, Alaska and other States) and Australia. This collaborative has been growing over the past 3 years and members now ensure they connect whenever there is opportunity to come together at conferences, site visits and by skype and phone. The collaboration aims to accelerate indigenous health gains and eliminate health inequities for indigenous peoples through the creation of a formal and collaborative International Indigenous Health Collaborative that fosters the active and real-time sharing of knowledge on indigenous health and innovative practices. A visit with the Australian Aboriginal Infonet folks has shown what is possible after their 20 years of experience in operating that technology-based platform for information and research sharing. Knowledge and relationships have increased significantly since the first 2015 Hikoi Rangahau by Tumu Whakarae, to parts of North America. The networking has continued from then to an international symposium hosted by Tumu Whakarae in Auckland (Sept 2015) then an April 2016 Tribal Self-Governance in Orlando to He Huliau in Hawai’i in Oct 2016 and to Anchorage in June 2017. As indigenous people, we share similar stories, challenges and experiences. The collaboration is an attempt to regularly share those stories and collectively share ideas about managing these experiences and overcoming these challenges. In the future the collaborative aims to work with philanthropic partners to look at creating a technology platform for sharing information, research and best practices in a more real-time manner across the Pacific Rim.

A range of social services including foster parent support, sexual assault response, social assistance for those in need

including grants for burials/funerals; adoptions; youth development; housing and a food bank for those without food

A variety of health and wellness services are also available including primary care; dental; pharmacy; optometry; mental

health counselling and groups; café; physical activity / gym and home care services.

We spent the day with various staff and was hosted by the Executive Officer, Jaylene Peterson-Nyren. We were honoured

to have the opportunity to learn about the services and to view the amazing facilities. Me mihi manahau atu ki ngā tohunga

o te manaaki.

Above: EO Jaylene and Whaea Naida

Glavish

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We have been fortunate to have provided some additional assistance to another

whānau we have supported in the past. Te Roopū Tautoko ki te Tonga was initially

born out of a National Organisation in 1985 and remained part of a network until

1992.

With the establishment of an office in Otepoti in 1992, named Te Roopū Tautoko

Trust/Māori Action on AIDS, their initial role was to inform and educate

communities on the issues relating to HIV/AIDS.

In 17 April 1997 a concerned group, sought independent funding and attained legal

status as “Te Roopū Tautoko ki te Tonga Incorporated”. This saw the establishment

of the first Māori Non-government organisation in Dunedin. Established as a

kaupapa Māori service - by Māori for Māori – a focus was placed on Māori models

of practice making a difference. Since about 1990 they have branched out to

provide other services.

Te Roopū Tautoko ki te Tonga operates today from Dunedin as a community based

health and social service provider. The purpose of Te Roopū Tautoko ki te Tonga is

to provide a range of holistic and innovative quality services under the philosophy

of Tino-Rangatiratanga and self-determination for Māori and their whānau.

Te Roopū Tautoko ki te Tonga work in collaboration with specific community

providers and agencies to ensure clients receive relevant services for the needs of

children and families/whānau. Some of the specific services that are available

include:

Whānau Ora Navigation (Support for whānau/families to tailor a plan to

address the specific needs identified by whānau)

Mauri Ora – Healthy Individuals (Support to Māori individuals to meet

their immediate and future health needs from prevention to treatment)

Rongoā service - Māori Massage (Mirimiri/Māori massage healing

process which clears, releases and energises one’s entire being)

Problem gambling (A support service to help those who are struggling

with gambling addictions)

Te Puna Manawa - Domestic violence counselling programme (A support

programme specifically designed for and facilitated by Māori men to

reduce and prevent violence in domestic relationships)

Kaumātua Group Support (A weekly support service for kaumātua to

reduce social isolation and to meet identified kaumātua needs)

It is always a privilege working with this whānau and it is great to see that the

kaupapa of the organisation has maintained over 20 years of business. We’re very

excited to see further developments over the next 20 years!

Te Roopū Tautoko ki te

Tonga’s logo depicts the

spiritual and physical being of

a person moving through the

physical world into the

spiritual worlds gathering

mātauranga or knowledge.

The ‘Manaia represents the

‘Ira Atua-the spiritual being’

and the Te ‘Ira Tangata- the

physical being’.

The curve pattern represents

the journey from the physical

into the spiritual realms. ‘Te

Kāhui o te Rangi’.

The indentations of the

curved pattern are the ‘Rua’-

the reciprocals of Knowledge.

The straight lines represent

western influences.

TE ROOPŪ TAUTOKO KI TE TONGA

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CANADA MAHI As our Canada Office approaches 10 years in Vancouver (yes May 2018 is our 10 year anniversary!), First Nations’ development remains at the forefront of the work that we do. We continue to strengthen relationships with our clients, we continue to build new relationships with various organisations and we continue to learn about the colourful First Nations communities across the country.

In this edition, we would like to highlight two of our projects – the development of a resource of Aboriginal Cultural Practices AND an update of the three on-reserve First Nations primary care clinics in Vancouver we supported to get established (including a First Nations & Aboriginal Primary Care Network that arose from this work).

ABORIGINAL CULTURAL PRACTICES BOOKLET FOR VANCOUVER COASTAL A project that was originally started by our former staff member Cain Kerehoma, was the development of a First Nation

information booklet called ‘Aboriginal Cultural Practices’. This is one of the first resources of its kind here in Canada.

It’s a directory of First Nation customary practices. It focusses on customary principles that relate to First Nations health

care and is a guide for health practitioners working with First Nations patients and clients. The project was born from

First Nations exposure to a ‘Tikanga guideline’ developed through the work of our very own Whaea Naida Glavish. After

reviewing the content and purpose of the document the First Nations requested a similar booklet that captured cultural

customs related to their culture that could inform health professionals of culturally appropriate practices when

interacting with First Nation patients.

We started meeting with those individuals and or groups who were identified by or within their communities as cultural

experts, elders and knowledge keepers. Engagement occurred to identify particular cultural principles, concepts, and

or traditions that could be included in the guide. Topics were explored such as customs related to: the significance of

body parts including hair and organs, traditional practices such as prayers and or ceremonies; and information about

local communities including their perspectives on health. The information was consolidated and the guidelines were

drafted. These were taken back to the Nations and cultural experts to have the information affirmed. The same

information was taken to Elders in other Nations within the wider health Region to check whether the concepts were

relevant to them too. Once these stages were complete, the document was sent for production.

The final product of the practices was developed as a small A5 size flip book with a coil spine. The information has

category tabs to help the user navigate through the information. This resource has since been distributed throughout

the health authority to help inform and educate staff. The resource is now in phase two of development – since it was

spotted by clinicians, particularly doctors. The doctors have also seen the value in the resource and has requested that

the resource be turned into a mobile type App for easier access to the information.

We are very excited for the next steps of this piece of work. It has been a privilege working with the elders, customary

experts and knowledge keepers regarding this important resource. It has managed to capture their traditional concepts,

beliefs and traditions and articulate these into a resource that is understood by health professions – both clinical and

non-clinical.

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PRIMARY CARE HEALTH CLINICS

Our relatives and friends from the three local Vancouver First Nations continue to

grow and it is very exciting to be part of this growth. The three Vancouver based

Nations – Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations were funded to

develop and expand on-reserve primary health care services. This meant that

primary care became more accessible within their communities, meaning less

travel to seek assistance, cheaper services (for many being free) and services that

could be managed by and for them.

In 2015, the nations received access to a fund with the purpose of establishing

primary care on reserve. For two communities, primary care on reserve was not

a completely new concept. Squamish and Musqueam Nations both had some

degree of primary care available to their communities. Squamish had a part time

General Practitioner (GP) and a part time Nurse Practitioner (NP), while

Musqueam had been operating a NP-based clinic. The fund enabled these Nations

to expand on the existing clinics in to create a more sustainable platform from

which to eventually operate full-time primary care on-reserve, which was a vision

for both Nations. The photos on the left show the three clinics on-reserve which

are now operating.

Tsleil-Waututh Nation has not had a primary care clinic up until now. This is a

completely new development and one which brings excitement to the community

which will also build on current health services. Supporting them to refurbish and

establish this clinic was a true highlight for Kahui Tautoko.

All three communities are aware that many community members, especially the

high numbers of youth, do not have a regular GP/NP that they see for primary

care. These clinics had a key goal of “attaching” community members without

regular GP/NP care to receive primary care and prevent chronic conditions and

illness later in life.

We worked with the communities to help establish, and or expand, their primary

care services. We provided support in establishing the plans for the three clinics,

from the project plans through to establishing the physical sites, to resourcing the

sites, to recruiting physicians and staff, to developing policies and procedures for

the clinics and maintaining and increasing clinic capacity moving forward. We are

very proud to say that we helped bring primary health care into the communities.

To check the effectiveness of the clinics, the three Health Directors of the clinics

were invited to evaluate the effectiveness of the clinics. The evaluation of the

project was based on achieving the original goals of the project.

These included:

“A better environment

because I am with my

people and I feel

comfortable”

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Innovation and transformation: new ways of

improving health care are introduced that contribute

to a development of a First Nations driven health care

system

Health services improvement: access to health

services is improved, increased access to regulated

health professionals and sustainability of services

Impact: patient and provider experience is improved

which reduces use of acute care and improves health

outcomes

Collaboration: support from regional health authority

and Divisions of Family Practise

The team of Health Directors added another goal, which

was ‘culturally safe staff and services’. This meant that staff

practice in a culturally appropriate manner and that

community members feel culturally safe in these services.

To receive this feedback, interviews and surveys were

undertaken with stakeholders. These included patients,

clinic staff, staff from the health authorities and other

support organizations and included reviews of data that

had been received by the clinic. Much of the feedback was

positive – from patients, to the doctors and even feedback

from the external organizations was very positive.

Some of the highlights of the project include:

Positive working relationships established with

other First Nations and regional health authority

and support agencies

Increased opportunities for wrap

around care, particularly with other

health authority funded programs in

each community

Increased staff numbers across the

three sites

Patients commenting on positive

experiences because the

environment is familiar to them and

so are the people within the clinic

Participants reported that the project

increased their understanding of

other partners and provided

increased networking opportunities

The overall success of this project has been the

community-driven nation-based process that has

guided all aspects of the evolution of these clinics.

Moving forward, future developments for the

clinics include expansions in: facilities, personnel,

internal processes and quality improvement,

patient numbers and even health professionals

(and hours) to service the clinic. Additionally, the

Nations hope to obtain long term sustainable

funding and to maintain collaborative relationships

with partners.

We are very proud of the way the Nations have

successfully worked together to develop additional

supports for their communities. We’re also very

proud for being part of this initiative and working

alongside the Nations during the process.This

project itself has led to further collaborations in

other areas too. This work benefits each individual

“It is comfortable for people – they don’t

feel foreign here – it is theirs in their

community”

“They’re happy we’re here and have an

option that they feel is their own. People

want to own it and know it is theirs”

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FIRST NATION and ABORIGINAL PRIMARY CARE NETWORK

The First Nations and Aboriginal Primary

Care Network is an informal collaboration

of the three new First Nations primary care

clinics with their urban (off-reserve)

Aboriginal primary care clinics located in

greater Vancouver. The collaboration

began in October 2016 through an

invitation by the three host Nations to the

urban Aboriginal health organizations

delivering primary care – to come together

for the benefit of First Nations and

Aboriginal patients in host Nation

territories. This photo shows the

Managers, Doctors and NPs together.

This is the first collaboration of its kind in this area – it is an exciting partnership with great potential especially since all 6

clinics use the same EMR and some have shared human resource with some Doctors and Nurse Practitioners working

across two of the clinics on different days.

The collaboration is an opportunity to bring a variety of services together. Amongst all organizations associated with the

network provide services that include: health promotion (disease prevention education); mental wellness and substance

services (counselling, cultural interventions and art therapy); home and community care (home care workers and

rehabilitation services); navigation and advocacy for accessing local health and or hospital services; and naturopathic

medicine (traditional and holistic healing). By connecting primary care patients with these other programs and services

there is true potential to provide holistic comprehensive care. The inclusion of the Elders and Knowledge keepers adds yet

another unique feature to these primary care environments.

MEMBERS OF THE PRIMARY CARE

NETWORK

- Musqueam Indian Health

Department: Primary Care Clinic

- Squamish Nation: Yúustway Health

Services Department: Kal’númet

primary care

- Tsleil-Waututh Nation: Health

Department: Helping House primary

care clinic

- Vancouver Native Health Society

- Urban Native Youth Association:

Native Youth Health & Wellness

Centre

- Lu’ma Medical Centre

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WORKING WITH TWO SPIRIT – TRANS CARE BC

The Kahui Tautoko team has continued to provide support to Trans

Care BC’s indigenous stream to identify support needs for Two Spirit

people across British Columbia. We have been travelling with a team

across different communities having conversations about the health

services available within their community and to seek advice around

how to better support Two Spirit people.

Two Spirit (2S) was a term developed in 1990 to describe members of

the LGBTQ community that also identify as First Nation (indigenous to

Canada or America). Two Spirit is a pan-tribal term that reminds Two

Spirit individuals of the traditional role of Two Spirit within their

traditional societies which was often highly revered.

During this process, we have also been working with a Two Spirit

expert, Harlan Pruden. The community meetings are also an

opportunity to provide teachings to the communities about the

traditional role of Two Spirit individuals within different First Nation

societies. The teachings include the roles of traditional Two Spirit

people (like community healers and mediators), the impact of

colonization on these people and work that is being done to restore

this role within society today.

We provide logistical support to these meetings including organizing

the meetings and managing the note taking of the needs assessment

discussion. We convert what we hear to advice for Transcare BC.

The meetings are being held across the province of British Columbia

in the various health regions. So far, we have completed meetings on

Vancouver Island and the Interior Region. We have more meetings

scheduled for Northern BC and then Fraser Region which includes

Vancouver.

The meetings are opportunities to build support networks amongst service providers, to identify support services available

within the various communities and to link community with information about what supports are available.

Themes that are emerging from the meetings so far include: a lack of physical resources with general information about

Two-Spirit; the importance of support services working collaboratively to service Two Spirit community members; the

need to appropriately including Two Spirit teachings and individuals within different institutions; expressing the need to

share these teachings with youth as a support mechanism; identifying methods of support to educate communities to

change negative attitudes.

The meetings are a great opportunity to engage with communities on a community level. The teachings are new for many

of the communities and it’s great to be part of their journey to learn about different aspects of their culture.

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TE TINI A MĀUI KAPA HAKA

HALA On top of our ever-growing work commitments, we have also had a pretty busy year on the kapa haka front.

All of the staff of Kahui Tautoko are (in their spare time) part of Te Tini a Māui Kapa Haka, a Māori cultural group that has

grown since its inception in 2009. Originally the roopū started as a KTCL work initiative to prepare staff for cultural events

here in Canada. From there it grew with other Vancouver-based Maori joining and these days, the group is fortunate to

attend a variety of events throughout the year. We do our best to represent Māori and the wider NZ throughout our events.

We must acknowledge the ongoing support of our Kapa Haka whānau who come and go (thanks to expiring work permits)

and who bring with them a variety of skills, abilities and attributes that everyone enjoys and learns from. From our NZ

whānau, to our Canada based NZ whānau and to our Canadian whānau – e kore e mutu te rere a mihi. We’re no Matatini-

level roopū – but we do our best and our heart is in the right place. The following pictures highlight some of the events that

we have performed at.

Waitangi Day and ANZAC celebrations in Vancouver 2017

Carson Secondary School: Cultural exchange between a First Nations class in a Secondary school in Vancouver. We were

invited to learn their dances and we invited to share some of our songs with them.

Mr. Paul

teaching the

class the haka

‘Ka Mate’ while

assistants Ben

and Morehu

also

demonstrate

the teachings.

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May 2017: Lower Kootenay Band Powwow, Creston BC, Canada

September 2017: Patrick Hape and Makere Kupenga representing at a Defence reception hosted by the NZ Embassy in

Washington DC.

July 2017: Tzeachten Powwow – Chilliwack, BC, Canada.

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October 2017: Sacred Springs Powwow, San Marcos, Texas USA (happily joined by returning performers Cain & Renay

Kerehoma) and our very own ring-in Makere Kupenga

September 2017: Team NZ Event: Royal Yacht Club, Vancouver BC

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October and November 2017 for Air New Zealand: This year Air NZ celebrated 10years of flying direct from Auckland to

Vancouver. We were fortunate to be part of several events celebrating this milestone with them. We performed on the

airport tarmac (pretty much the landing strips for the planes) at Vancouver airport, and at two celebratory events. One

based here in Vancouver and another in Toronto, Canada. Here are some snaps from the different events.

Even made the front cover of the local

Airline news!

16

November 2017: Maori All Blacks vs Canada, BC Place, Vancouver: The Māori All Blacks played the Canada rugby team this

year. We were very excited to be part of the celebrations for this event. The announcement was made earlier in the year

and we were grateful to be part of the launch of this event. We were also invited to perform at the game as half-time

entertainment...in front of an audience of 30,000 people. The game was a complete sell out. This has to have been our

biggest audience yet! We were very privileged to support our boys and represent our culture on an international stage...in

front of 30,000 people. Here’s some snaps of our journey. Oh and the score was 51-9 to the Maori ABs!

ABOVE: At the media launch.

RIGHT: With our Squamish Nation relatives who also

performed before us at half-time and then joined us

for the haka

BELOW: Leading out for the Maori performance