When Sam (Taranaki Tuturu/Te Arawa/Ngäti Kahungungu) and June Jackson (Taranaki me Te Ätiawa Tuturu/Tainui) retired they made a decision that they would become active in supporting the presence of the Taranaki tribes as mana whenua within the Wellington region where they lived. Amokura Panoho reports.
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Key quotes from this article:
“The Tenths has an ongoing responsibility to administer the Reserves. It provided the support to allow our people to negotiate the Port Nicholson Block settlement with the Crown. Their role is ongoing as mana whenua, the settlement process won’t change that and as a result our role continues,” explains Sam.
“It is important to ensure when we undertake the whakatuwheratanga (formal openings) we reaffirm the mauri (spirit) and linkages to the whakapapa of the tangata whenua who hold mana whenua over this region,” explains Kaumätua Sam Jackson.
“We recognise our role is to share, teach and guide the up and coming generations in the history, tïkanga and te reo of our people to ensure the mana of the whänau, hapu and iwi are maintained,” reiterates June who is always adorning her raukura, the three feathers notifying kinship to Te Ätiawa, to emphasise her point. Their positive but demanding role is complemented by the respect shown throughout the Wellington community and nationally.
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