He Karere nā te Heamana

Kia ora te Uri o Ngāti Rehua,

On behalf of the Ngāti Rehua Ngātiwai ki Aotea Trust, we want to extend a big thank you to all the whānau who joined us for our recent Taiao Wānanga. It was a special time for us to come together on the whenua, share kōrero, and strengthen our connection to te taiao, our whakapapa, and each other.

Your presence, whakaaro, and wairua brought life to the kaupapa, and we’re truly grateful for the energy you bring to these spaces. It’s moments like these that remind us why we do this mahi – for our people, our whenua, and the generations to come.

Looking ahead, we’re excited to announce that our next wānanga will take place during Matariki – a time for reflection, renewal, and vision. This wānanga will be led by our Deputy Chair, Te Kauri Wihongi, and will be another awesome opportunity to come together as whānau.

There’ll be something for everyone – tamariki, rangatahi, and kaumātua – and we can’t wait to see you all there.

Toitū Ngāti Rehua!

Fletcher Beazley
Chairman – Ngāti Rehua Ngātiwai ki Aotea Trust Board

Taiao Wānanga

A huge mihi and heartfelt thanks to everyone who joined us for our recent Taiao Wānanga. It was a truly special day dedicated to reconnecting with te taiao, each other, and our whenua here on Aotea.

Together, we explored the spaces that hold deep meaning for Ngāti Rehua, reflected on our role as kaitiaki, and strengthened our connection to the kaupapa of caring for this taonga – now and for future generations.

It was especially powerful to see so many of our whānau engaged, curious, and sharing kōrero as we walked the whenua and wove our stories together. We were deeply moved by the energy and aroha you all brought to the day.

For those of your who attended but didn’t receive our email please contact us on kiaora@ngātirehua.iwi.nz. We’ll also be sharing more beautiful photos and a short video that captures some of the special moments from the wānanga via facebook.com/NgatiRehua

*Rangatahi group photo - Hirakimata Summit Track (Photo credit: Luke Thornborough)*

Day 1

Kaumatua Boat-Trip to Rākitu & Walking the Hirakimata Summit Track

Our wānanga began with two special activities that set the tone for the days ahead. Our kaumātua made the journey from Port Fitzroy to Rākitu Island—a first-time experience for some. Along the way, stories were shared that helped us understand the deep significance of Rākitu to us as Ngāti Rehua. This is the place where Rehua once lived—and where his life came to an end—so it was important for our whanau to share in this experience. Today, Rākitu remains a taonga of immense cultural and historical value to Ngāti Rehua, and is part of our ongoing efforts to protect and care for our whenua, wāhi tapu, and identity as mana whenua.

While our kaumātua were out on the water, our rangatahi laced up their shoes and took on the Hirakimata Summit walk. One group made it all the way to the top, while another enjoyed a shorter hike before heading back. Hirakimata is not just the highest point on Aotea—it’s a sacred maunga for Ngāti Rehua, closely tied to our identity, our stories, and our role as mana whenua.

It was important for our whānau to be able to step foot on our Maunga Tapu and look out over the legacy our tūpuna left us. This was our way of helping whānau understand their roles as kaitiaki, to strengthen their connection to our whenua, and to reflect on how far we’ve come as a whanau.

*Raranga Session - Kawa Marae (Photo credit: Alyssia Hargest)*

Day 2

Raranga Workshop at Kawa Marae & Rangatahi trip to Rākitu Island

On Day 2, we hosted a raranga workshop led by the Aotea Maori Women’s Welfare Leauge. This workshop offered a great opportunity for those staying behind while the rangatahi journeyed to Rākitu. Through weaving, we understand the way each strand interlocks to reflect our whakapapa. We also noticed some true natural weavers in the whānau—it was wonderful to see their talent in action. A big mihi to the Aotea Māori Women’s Welfare League for sharing their knowledge and expertise in the raranga space—your guidance was such a valued part of our wānanga.

While the raranga session was underway, our rangatahi made their way over to Rākitu—safely guided across the moana with the awesome support of Hooked on Barrier and the Department of Conservation (DOC). A huge mihi to both teams for making sure our rangatahi and their whānau got there safely.

When they arrived, they were warmly welcomed by the Manta Watch NZ crew, who offered a really special experience—naming the manta rays currently being tracked by their team. Our rangatahi chose from a selection of names significant to NRNWKA and gifted these names to the Manta-Rays, a special memory for our Rangatahi to take away with them. Ka nui te mihi to Manta Watch NZ for creating such a meaningful and unforgettable moment for our whanau.

The rest of their time on Rākitu was all about connecting with Te Taiao—exploring the beach, swimming in the moana, and planting a Pōhutukawa tree in honour of our tūpuna who once lived there. This living taonga will stand as a reminder of their journey, and ours, as we move forward together.

*Ratanui Beazley planting the Pohutukawa Tree - Rākitu Island (Photo Credit: Luke Thornborough)*

Day 3

Eco-Fest & The opening of the Native Nursery in Akapoua

We kicked off Day 3 with Eco-Fest, an annual event held here on the Barrier where the community comes together to learn about conservation efforts on Aotea and its surrounding waters and islands. There were multiple workshops designed to educate whānau, providing a deeper understanding of the significant work that goes into conservation. It also highlighted the important role we share with these organizations as mana whenua in preserving and protecting our environment.

Following Eco-Fest, our whānau came together at Akapoua for the official opening of the Native Nursery—a significant milestone for our community. The day began with a pōwhiri, where a formal agreement between DOC and mana whenua was signed, marking a strengthened partnership rooted in shared responsibility and respect.

Marilyn Stephens, the lead for Pou Taiao, said “It absolutely bucketed down — but even through the rain, as Fletcher said, it really was historic”

For Marilyn Stephens, it was the pouring rain that made it feel real. She said it felt like the first time we’ve actually been given land — even though it’s not officially ours (yet), it’s the first time DOC has truly worked with us to enable something like this: a nursery and Maara kai, built by and for us.

They’ve talked about land returns in Treaty settlements before — and while there have been gestures like housing for Tu Mai Taonga and a building for Te Pou Ramaroa — this feels different. This is the first time they’ve handed back a piece of whenua for us to actively use, in a way that aligns with our values, as Māori.

This nursery will play a vital role in supporting restoration efforts by growing native plants and acting as a living classroom for future generations to learn, connect, and contribute.

The opening was another meaningful step in our journey as kaitiaki—with every seed planted symbolising our collective commitment to Taiao restoration and the wellbeing of our whenua.

Opportunity to Grow – Ngahere Nursery Project Lead

Ngāti Rehua-Ngātiwai ki Aotea Trust is setting up a Ngahere, native plant nursery in Northern Aotea, Great Barrier Island to restore the whenua. These seedlings will be grown from locally collected seeds, nurtured to seedlings and planted back to the whenua.

We are looking for a dedicated and passionate Ngahere Project Lead to work part-time for $50 per hour from 15-30hrs per week, up to 1-2 years dependent on your motivation to get this significant project moving.

If you have experience in growing plants on a large-scale and are passionate about te taiao, we'd love to hear from you.

Email us with any enquiries or apply by sending in your cover letter and CV to kiaora@ngatirehua.iwi.nz by May 1st, 2025.

*Location of the native nursery in Akapoua (Photo Credit: Alyssia Hargest)*

Mātauranga Matariki

We're still buzzing from the Taiao Wānanga and are grateful to everyone who contributed to such a vibrant kaupapa.

A big thank you to everyone who provided us with feedback—we’ve taken it all on board with open hearts and are committed to improving for the next kaupapa: the Matariki Wānanga, led by Te Kauri Wihongi.

If you’ve registered for this wānanga, we’ll be in touch once the details are confirmed. In the meantime, keep an eye on your inbox and our Facebook page for updates.

*Robin Waka with moko Jordyn-Lei Rose Tatoa (Photo Credit: Luke Thornborough)*

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April 2025 Newsletter