Kia ora koutou,
We are starting to plan the detail for this year’s Trustee elections. Trustee nomination forms will be sent out on 4 September 2018 with voting opening on 18 October 2018. Please ensure we have your correct postal and email addresses, you can phone the office to update these details or email admin@rangitane.org.nz. Rangatahi please note, if you are a registered member and turn 18 on or before 17 November 2018 (AGM) you are eligible to vote. Expect more details in coming weeks.
We met with Matt Oliver last week. Matt is a freshwater scientist working for the Marlborough District Council. They intend to spend $500k over the next 5 years on initiatives improving the water quality of the Taylor River. Much of this will be on native plantings and investigating separating stormwater from sewerage. We also met Anna Crowe who is working with educating tamariki and rangatahi about Marlborough’s freshwaters. Anna is very interested in encouraging some of our local schools to become kaitiaki of a section of the Taylor River. I think this will be well supported by schools, and will be a wonderful way for our community to connect with the awa.
The Kaumātua trip to Te Papa and evening dinner/hui is gathering momentum. The logistics are tricky, particularly with over 60 participants. Deedee Bancroft is project managing this with support from Moira Hebberd, Moira Carey and Amber. We are looking forward to a great trip.
Trustees Jeremy Macleod and Janis de Thierry will be introducing the “Tangata Rau, Reo Kotahi” Language and Culture strategy at the next Kanohi ki te Kanohi hui, 6pm Friday 31 August. The strategy will be officially launched during Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori (Māori Language Week). Janis and Jeremy have been working on this for over a year with your input over several consultation hui. It’s an important topic and an impressive piece of work. This is an opportunity to discuss the strategy first hand with the authors. Jeremy and Janis are also here to discuss and consult on waiata resources with Ahi Kā.
Aroha mai, this month’s Kanohi ki te Kanohi hui will have to be on Friday 31 August to allow for the Kaumātua trip.
Finally, we have had quite a bit of interest in the garden allotment. Please get in touch with the rūnanga and put your name down if you are interested in one of these gardens. Our next planting day at the Maara Kai will be Sunday 9 September, and we hope to be adding some exotic veggies.
Mā te wā
Nick