First PhD oral examination held at Ōtākou Marae
E tino poho kererū ana ngā tāngata o Te Tumu ki a Megan Pōtiki. He pūkenga o mua a Megan, ā, ko tētahi o ā mātou tauira tohu kairangi. I tērā wiki, ka tū te whakamātautau o tāna tuhinga kairangi ki tōna marae, i Ōtākou. Koinei te whakamātautau kairangi tuatahi ki tētahi marae o tēnei rohe. Ko “Te Hū o Moho” te ingoa o tāna tuhinga e whakamāramatia nei ngā take i mate ai te reo Māori ki te kāika o Ōtākou i te haurua tuatahi o te rua tekau o ngā rautau. Ko Paerau Warbrick rāua ko Lachy Paterson ngā kaiārahi mō ngā mahi rangahau nei a Megan. I te hui hoki tōna whānau rātou ko ōna hoa. I reira hoki a Jacinta Ruru (ko te kaiwhakarite o te whakamātautau) rātou ko ngā kaiwhakawā tokorua, ko Tony Ballantyne rāua ko Peter Meihana (nō Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa). Pai rawa atu te kōrero whakamārama a Megan, me āna whakahoki i ngā pātai a ngā kaiwhakawā. Ka mutu ngā pātai a Tony rāua ko Peter, ka matapakitia āna rangahau e ērā atu tāngata o te hui. He tikanga rerekē tēnei, ā, ka whakaaetia e te katoa he tikanga pai, ā, ka whakamahia pea mō ngā whakamātautau kairangi katoa. Heoi, ka whakatau ngā kaiwhakawā, he rawe te tuhinga a Megan. Kia whakatikatia he hapa pakupaku, ka oti āna mahi. He rongo tino pai tēnei. He nunui hoki ā mātou mihi ki ngā tāngata whenua o Ōtākou mō te pai o te pōwhiri, me te reka hoki o te hākari.
Megan Pōtiki pictured here with her whānau, and kaitautoko from the University of Otago at Ōtākou Marae.
Staff at Te Tumu are extremely proud of Megan Pōtiki. She was a former lecturer, and has been one of our PhD students. Last week, the examination of her doctoral thesis was held at her marae, at Ōtākou. This is the first doctoral examination on a marae of this region. Her thesis is entitled “Te Hū o Moho” in which she explained the causes of the death of the Māori language in her village of Ōtākou in the first half of the twentieth century. Paerau Warbrick and Lachy Paterson were the supervisors of her research work. Her friends and family were also at the hui. There too were Jacinta Ruru (the examination convenor) and two of the examiners, Tony Ballantyne and Peter Meihana (Massey University). Megan gave an excellent presentation, as were her answers to the examiners’ questions. When they had concluded their questions, other people at the hui then discussed her research. This was a departure from normal process, and everyone agreed it was a great tikanga that might be used for all doctoral examinations. The examiners determined that Megan’s thesis was excellent, and when she tidies a few typos, she will be finished. This is great news. We would also like to thank the local people at Ōtākou for their warm welcome, and the wonderful food.
Te hiranga o te ao kapa haka
Ko Maioha Watson, Nō Tainui, Ngāi Tūhoe, Ngāti Manawa, Te Āti Awa me Te Arawa
To celebrate Te Wiki o te Reo Māori, the Te Tumu Research Committee is showcasing the exceptional work of Māori postgraduate students writing their theses in te reo. Roma Donaldson-Gush talked to Maioha Watson, and asked him to share some insights about his rangahau.
Kia kaha te reo Māori te kaupapa matua o tēnei wiki. Hei whakamana i tō tātou reo Māori, kua kōrero atu a Roma Donalson-Gush ki ētahi o ngā tauira Māori e tuhi ana i ā rātou ake tuhinga roa (Tohu Paerua, Tohu Kairangi rānei) i te reo Māori. Ia rā o te wiki nei, ka whakaatu ai tētahi o aua tauira, i tēnei rā, ko Maioha Watson tērā.
Ko te kaupapa o tōna tuhingaroa, he whakakīkī haere i te puna rangahau e hīnātore ai te hiranga o te ao kapa haka ki te ao whānui, inarā, i ōna hua maha ki te hunga rangatahi. Ko te ngako, he matapaki i ngā wheako o te hunga rangatahi kātahi anō ka whakaeke atu ai ki te papa tātāwhāinga o Te Matatini; me te aha, he whakatairanga i ōna kura huna ki te ao.
Nā te aha koe i whiriwhiri i tēnei huarahi ki te tuhi i tō tuhinga whakapae i roto i te reo Māori?
“Nōku e matapaki, e whāwhā ana i te puna o te kī, me uaua ka kitea ngā hua o te ao haka ki te hunga rangatahi, me te mea hoki, he kaha tonu nō te ao pūtaiao Pākehā ki te whakahāwea i ō tātou mātauranga Māori. Nā konā i toka ai te whakatau, me tuhi taku tuhinga whakapae i te reo Māori. Hei āpitihanga, ko tāku e tōngakingaki nei ko te whakamāori i te kōrerotia o te reo Māori, kia maringi, kia tangata whenua, kia noho ko tōku reo ake, hei reo mātāmua mōku.”
He aha ngā āhuatanga matua, ngā hua me kī, kua puta i tō kōwhiringa ki te tuhi i roto i te reo Māori?
“Ko te ako, ko te whakawhānui ake i ōku mōhiotanga ki tōku ao. I te mutunga iho, ko tāku he whakahoki i ōku wheako, i ngā mātauranga kua akona e au ki tōku iwi, hei oranga mōna.”
He kupu tohutohu, he kupu akiaki rānei āu mō ngā tauira e hiahia ana ki te whai rangahau i roto i te reo Māori?
“Ākina, kōrerotia te reo! Kaua e kōrapa, e ngāueue ki te tuku i tō reo kia rere. Whakanuia, whakarangatirahia tā tātou taonga, tō tātou reo kāmehameha, ki te ngutu o te makiu.”
Te kapa haka me te Atuatanga
To celebrate Te Wiki o te Reo Māori, Te Tumu Research Committee is showcasing the exceptional work of Māori postgraduate students writing their theses in te reo Māori. Roma Donaldson-Gush talked to Te Hira Paenga, and asked him to share some insights about his rangahau.
Kia kaha te reo Māori te kaupapa matua o tēnei wiki. Hei whakamana i tō tātou reo Māori, kua kōrero atu a Roma Donalson-Gush ki ētahi o ngā tauira Māori e tuhi ana i ā rātou ake tuhinga roa (Tohu Paerua, Tohu Kairangi rānei) i te reo Māori. Ia rā o te wiki nei, ka whakaatu ai tētahi o aua tauira, i tēnei rā, ko Te Hira Paenga tērā.
Ko Te Hira Paenga, nō Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Porou me Ngāti Kahungunu
He tauira a Te Hira nō Te Tumu me te Mātai Whakapono Karaitiana. Ko te whāinga o tōna rangahau, he whakaū i te kaupapa Māori, otirā te mātauranga Māori, ki roto i ngā kaupapa Atuatanga. Mā te tūhura, mā te tāutu, mā te arotake i ngā ihoatua o te ao kapa haka e whai hononga ai tēnei wānanga a te Māori ki te Atuatanga. Ko tōna urupounamu, he aha ngā ihoatua e kitea ana i roto i ngā mahi kapa haka kei ngā tuhinga, kei ngā whakaritenga rangi me ngā oro waiata, me ngā nekeneke ā-tinana? Ka mutu, he aha ōna kura puaki e kīia ai tēnei rangahau Atuatanga he ihoatua whakahirahira a te Māori?
Nā te aha koe i whiriwhiri i tēnei huarahi ki te tuhi i tō tuhinga whakapae i roto i te reo Māori?
“Ko te tuatahi tēnei o ngā tuhingaroa Atuatanga i te ao kua tuhia ki te reo kāmehameha, arā ki te reo Māori. Kua roa te iwi Māori e tito haka ana, waiata ana, mōteatea ana, hīmene ana, aha atu, aha atu. Kua tae ki te wā e ōkawa ai ngā kaupapa Atuatanga kua roa e noho waiwai ana i roto i te iwi Māori. He ākonga kura kaupapa Māori ahau i puta i Hoani Waititi i te tau 2000, nā reira, ko te reo o aku tīpuna e āki ana i a au kia Māori te kupu, ā, kia Māori te kawe.”
He aha ngā āhuatanga matua, ngā hua me kī, kua puta i tō kōwhiringa ki te tuhi i roto i te reo Māori?
“Ko te tūmanako ka whāia tonutia ngā tuhinga Atuatanga reo Māori e ngāi pīkoko, otirā e te rangatahi hei ngā rangi e tū mai nei.”
He kupu tohutohu, he kupu akiaki rānei āu mō ngā tauira e hiahia ana ki te whai rangahau i roto i te reo Māori?
“Kia kaha rā, ahatia te kaupapa, te horopaki, te matū rānei o ngā kaupapa tuhi, ā, kia kounga te reo. Torotoro ki te hunga e matatau ana i te reo, ā, whai hononga ki ētahi mātanga kua tohunga nei ki ngā mahi e rangahautia ana e koe. I te korenga o ngā tuhinga kairangi Pūtaiao, Pāngarau, Mātai Hinengaro, Pūoro, Atuatanga, aha atu, aha atu, kua noho ko te reo me te ahurea Māori hei mātāmuri ki ngā kaupapa auraki. Kua tae ki te wā e whakaohooho ai te taniwha mātauranga Māori, reo Māori, kua roa e moe ana i te rua o mahara. Kia hiwa ake Māori mā, nō koutou te ao!”
Kei whea te wāhi ki a Rongo?
To celebrate Te Wiki o te Reo Māori, the Te Tumu Research Committee is showcasing the exceptional work of Māori postgraduate students writing their theses in te reo. Roma Donaldson-Gush talked to Tonga Karena, and asked him to share some insights about his rangahau.
Hei whakamana i tō tātou reo Māori, kua kōrero atu a Roma Donalson-Gush ki ētahi o ngā tauira Māori e tuhi ana i ā rātou ake tuhinga roa (Tohu Paerua, Tohu Kairangi rānei) i te reo Māori. Ia rā o te wiki nei, ka whakaatu ai tētahi o aua tauira, i tēnei rā, ko Tonga Karena tērā.
Ko Tonga Karena, nō Taranaki, Ngāi Tūhoe, Te Aupōuri me Ngāti Kahungunu ki Te Wairoa
He tauira a Tonga nō Te Tumu me Te Ao o Rongomaraeroa (Peace and Conflict). Ko te pūtake o tōna mahi rangahau, he rapu i ngā kōrero mō Rongo a te Māori, i mua i te taenga mai o te paipera me te rongopai, me te rapua mai he aha rawa ērā āhuatanga i roto i tōna ake iwi o Taranaki. Kei te aro hoki ia ki a Parihaka me ngā āhuatanga o Rongo ki reira – e kīia nei, ko ngā kura huna. He nui nga tūmomo kōrero e whakatairanga nei i te rongopai ki roto i a Parihaka. Ko tōna hiahia ki te rapu whakautu mō te pātai, kei hea te wāhi ki a Rongo?
Nā te aha koe i whiriwhiri i tēnei huarahi ki te tuhi i tō tuhinga whakapae i roto i te reo Māori?
“I timata taku tuhi i tēnei tuhingaroa ki roto i te reo Pākehā. Ka tae atu au ki waenganui o te mahi, ka tahuri mai ngā kaitiaki me te pātai, ‘pēhea rānei ki a koe tō tuhia mai i tō rangahau ki roto i te reo?’ I āhua ohorere au i tēnā pātai, engari he pai ki a au nā te mea, he timatanga tēnei mā Parihaka ki te kōrero ki a ia anō ki roto i tōna anō reo. Ko te mea kē, kia rongo i a Parihaka tōna anō reo – me whai reo a Parihaka ki roto i tōna reo Māori. Koirā tāku i ngākaunui ai ki tērā huarahi tuhituhi.
“Ko tōku tino pātai i a au e tuhi ana ki roto i te reo Pākehā, ‘He aha ai au e whakaratarata nei i te ao Pākehā ki ēnei kōrero?’ Ka mutu, me whai wāhi ngā tauheke ki te māhorahora mai, ki te ruku hohonu atu ki roto i tō rātou ngākau, mamae kore nei. Ka māmā ko te maringi mai o ngā kōrero i ngā tauheke e mārama ana ki te reo. Ka mutu, he tino taonga te pānui i ngā kōrero o tō iwi, o tō hapū i roto i tō reo.”
He aha ngā āhuatanga matua, ngā hua me kī, kua puta i tō kōwhiringa ki te tuhi i roto i te reo Māori?
“Kua nui ake taku mōhio ki tōku Parihakatanga. Kua whai wāhi au ki te takahi tētahi huarahi e rapu ai au te mea ngaro – te kura. Ka mutu, ko te kukume mai o te kāinga i a koe kia noho tahi koe me ō pāhake, me te hapori whānui.”
He kupu tohutohu, he kupu akiaki rānei āu mō ngā tauira e hiahia ana ki te whai rangahau i roto i te reo Māori?
“Me manawanui koe ki a koe anō. Me manawanui koe ki te noho tahi me o pāhake, ki te pānui pukapuka, ki te wero i ngā kōrero a ngā Pākehā i tuhi ai mōu. Kimihia tō reo tuhituhi, kimihia tō reo kōrero. Ka haere ngā tau, ka pahure ngā tau i a koe, ka kite koe he tangata hou kua puawai mai. I te mutunga iho, ka kite koe i tētahi mea, i tētahi kura, hei tuku atu ki te ao.”
Kia kaha te reo Māori
To celebrate Te Wiki o te Reo Māori, Te Tumu Research Committee is showcasing the exceptional work of Māori postgraduate students writing their theses in te reo Māori. Roma Donaldson-Gush talked to Kahurangi Tipene, and asked her to share some insights about her rangahau.
Kia kaha te reo Māori te kaupapa matua o tēnei wiki. Hei whakamana i tō tātou reo Māori, kua kōrero atu a Roma Donalson-Gush ki ētahi o ngā tauira Māori e tuhi ana i ā rātou ake tuhinga roa (Tohu Paerua, Tohu Kairangi rānei) i te reo Māori. Ia rā o te wiki nei, ka whakaatu ai tētahi o aua tauira, i tēnei rā, ko Kahurangi Tipene tērā.
Ko Kahurangi Tipene, Nō Waikato me Ngāpuhi
E mahi ana a Kahurangi i tana Tohu Kairangi, ā, he tauira ia nō Te Tumu me te Pūtaiao. Ko te tino pūtake o tōna ake rangahau, he waha ake i ngā wheako a tētahi whānau i Tauranga e mau nei i tētahi irakē. Ka mutu, ko tāna tūponotanga ka whanake mai ai te mate pukupuku puku, me te mate pukupuku uma. Ko ia hei māngai mā te iwi irakē.
Nā te aha koe i whiriwhiri ai i tēnei huarahi ki te tuhi i tō tuhinga whakapae i roto i te reo Māori?
“He pai ake mooku te tuhi me te whakaputu i ngaku whakaaro, koorero, wairua ki te reo Maaori. Nooku i te koohanga, kura kaupapa, wharekura i poipoi i taku reo Maaori.”
He aha ngā āhuatanga matua, ngā hua me kī, kua puta i tō kōwhiringa ki te tuhi i roto i te reo Māori?
“Ko ngaa hua ka puta i tooku koowhiringa ki te tuhi i roto i te reo Maaori, kia puta pai ai he rauemi maa taatou te iwi Maaori, maa ngaa whaanau Maaori hoki, kia whakaako ai raatou i ngaa aahuatanga katoa o te irakee. Ka mutu, he tohu kia whakakipakipa i te hunga e mataku ana ki te tuhi i te reo Maaori. Anei, he tauira teenei maa koutou.”
He kupu tohutohu, he kupu akiaki rānei āu mō ngā tauira e hiahia ana ki te whai rangahau i roto i te reo Māori?
“Kei ngaa ika aa whiro o te reo Maaori, koutou e kaingaakau ana ki te reo Maaori, teenaa whiua ki te ao. Kia kaha te tuhi me te koorero i te reo Maaori, ahakoa hapa mai, aha mai. Mirimiri atu ki ngaa pokowhiwhi o tauira kee e manawanui ana ki te reo Maaori. Ka taea e koutou.”
“Reinstating Mana Whenua narratives back on the whenua”: Te Tumu Seminar series guest Megan Potiki
In a thought-provoking and timely session given the ongoing celebrations of Matariki, Kāi Tahu and Te Ātiawa academic Megan Potiki presented as part of the 2023 Te Tumu Seminar Series on Wednesday this week. Her talk centred around the work of creating mana whenua narratives for various building and development sites around the city and the wider Ōtakou region. This includes work for puna kaukau, the police station, the hospital, George St, the university re-brand, Auahi Ora – Union, and Tunnel Beach. She’s also been part of the Te Rangihīroa student accommodation build in collaboration with Ngāti Mutunga of Taranaki.
Megan’s characteristic humour and honesty about the process of creating these narratives was both refreshing and profound. She stressed the importance of “getting it right with your own people”, being able to own your mistakes, and putting in the work to finding multiple credible sources. It’s also important to know when to give, when to take people with you and when to push for change. There is both privilege and responsibility that comes with being able to grow up living and learning from your own whenua and also for those who return to their roots.
Ultimately, Megan’s talk high-lighted the importance of bringing to life stories that are deeply rooted in the knowledge, practices and people of this whenua. The process of writing a narrative is complex, requiring a lot of research, collaboration, and hard work particularly when collaborating with your own hāpu. Names have power, and reinstating the mana associated with those names is vital in redressing some of the mamae caused by colonisation, and also celebrating the wealth and wisdom of generations that have come before us.
Early career Cook Island researchers shine at the Pacific Islands Universities Network Conference 2023 ki Rarotonga
L-R: Cook Islands scholars Liam Koka’ua, Inano Taripo Walter, Dr Emma Powell, Stacey Koka’ua Balfour
Dr Emma Powell writes about her recent trip to Rarotonga for the 2023 Pacific Islands Universities Network Conference.
Established in 2012, the Pacific Islands Universities Network (PIURN) Conference was intended to “enable closer and meaningful collaboration” amongst a consortium of 14 universities located in the island-Pacific. Rarotonga was chosen as the location for the networks 5th meeting and several doctoral students and Otago staff travelled to the Cook Islands to participate in the regional conference on 4-6 July 2023.
Dr Emma Powell arranged a special session for Cook Islands early career researchers on 6 July local time. Inspired by the arrangement of a festschrift for Cook Islands scholar and educator, the late Dr Marjorie Crocombe, during the conference, the session was intended to honour an pioneering generation of scholars, many of whom were mentored by Dr Crocombe, and signal new turns in Cook Islands scholarship from a swelling critical mass of new Cook Islands researchers.
Inano Taripo Walter, who is a Cook Islands doctoral candidate with secondary supervision at Te Tumu, presented on the role of va‘ine Māori within the land court. She discussed the importance of piri‘anga (relationships), ‘akapapa‘anga (genealogies) and mana to understanding the significance of women in the arbitration of ‘enua (land) within Cook Islands society. Stacey Kokaua, a Cook Islands doctoral candidate in Otago’s English department, presented her early stages of research into Cook Islands Māori theoretical responses to ecocriticsm within literary studies. Liam Kokaua, a graduate of the University of Auckland’s Masters of Indigenous Studies programme, shared compelling research he’d undertaken about the pae maunga on Rarotonga. Liam has produced material for screen and a book that makes accessible ancient and new knowledge about tupuna maunga in the Cook Islands.
The session was well-attended by other Cook Islands and Pacific delegates. The Q&A session was engaging and the panel received an overwhelming number of questions and comments that showed enthuasism both for their respective projects and the wider project of Cook Islands scholarship.
Unexpectedly and with sadness, the session seemed even more poignant with the surprise passing of legendary Cook Islands scholar, musician, writer and public servant, Professor Jon Jonassen, on the first day of the PIURN Conference. Professor Jonassen was widely acknowledged as an expert on Cook Islands peu Māori (cultural traditions), tua ta‘ito (ancients stories) and the Cook Islands drumming tradition. His passing during the conference was a shock to many attending and was felt sharply during the session.
Acknowledgements must also go to Univeristy of Otago colleagues who presented at the conference: Dr Moira Fortin Cornejo (Languages and Cultures) and Dr Jesse Kokaua & Dr Troy Ruhe (Va‘a o Tautai). Dr Powell also presented at the festschrift session for Dr Crocombe where she spoke to a brief paper titled: “That we may be proud of our heritage”, Marjorie Crocombe & Pacific Literature.
Tikaka in action
Tēnā rā koutou, Ni sa bula vinaka, Mālō e lelei, Talofa lava, Kia orana, Fakaalofa lahi atu.
On Friday 24 February Te Tumu welcomed two new staff members, Professor Patrick Vakaoti who is our new Dean and member of the Pacific Islands Studies team, and Dr Wahineata Smith, who is joining our Māori Studies team. A pōwhiri was held at Te Tumu following the tikaka o Kāi Tahu, the mana whenua. We are lucky to have Kare Tipa as one of our staff members who can guide us through the kawa. A big mihi too to everyone involved in the organisation of the event, especially the rika wera from the Office of Māori Development who served the delicious hāngī for lunch. After lunch there was an opportunity for people to informally speak on behalf of the two new staff. Te Tumu staff also presented a koha to Dr Emma Powell, who has just started her maternity leave.
Patrick is a well seasoned sociologist with an interest in Pacific youth, both those who are marginalised and disaffected, but also youth leadership and civic engagement. Currently, he is contemplating research that critically looks at the interface between the University and the aspirations of indigenous students, academics and the community.
Wahineata was once a student at Te Tumu, starting 21 years ago. She completed her PhD at AUT, and is returning to research after being part of the university’s schools liaison team. She is contemplating undertaking research in into families with dual and multiple ethnicities, including aspects of identity and mental wellbeing and the choice of the language[s] in their homes.
We are very lucky to have these two new additions to our staff.
Below are photos, courtesy of Keilah Fox, and Jess Pasisi. Click on images to enlarge.
Kare Tipa was kaikaraka for the tākata whenua.
Rauhina Scott-Fyfe responded to the call as kaikaraka for the manuhiri. Wahineata Smith is adorned with the korowai.
Kiringaua Cassidy delivered the whaikōrero on behalf of Te Tumu.
Teteira Rawiri (Tainui-Waikato) delivered a whaikōrero on behalf of Wahineata.
It was great to hear the Fijian language was used within the tikaka of the pōwhiri. Eric Nabalagi spoke on behalf of Patrick.
Due to Covid precautions, the elbow bump was utilised in place of the customary hongi. In the foreground, Patrick Vakaoti and Allison Finnegan bump elbows.
Sia Lei-Mata’afa, Miriam Tomasi, Viola Huch, Kristy Walker and friend.
Iris Wainiqolo (Health Science) with staff from Pacific Trust Otago
Centre front, Finau Taungapeau (PTO), Tamete Teweti (PIC) and friend. Left flank: Neil Vallelly; right flank, Kare Tipa.
Johnny Nu’u, Iva Vakalalabure, John, and Sakiusa Baleivanualala.
Te Tumu staff and friends entertain people as they line up for their food.
Patrick Vakaoti converses with Telesia Kalavite, the Coordinator of Pacific Islands Studies, and Tofilau Nina Kilifi-Alai, Otago’s Pacific Community Engagement Manager in Auckland.
Marea Colombo, Sharlene Silcock and Cath Gilbert.
Rafa Mishra-Vakaoti, enjoying the kai.
Dunedin Cook Islands Research
It’s always great when undergraduate students get an opportunity to undertake research. This summer, Dr Emma Powell of Indigenous Studies had two young students helping with her look at the history and experiences of Cook Islanders in Dunedin as part of the ‘Akapapa’anga nо̄ te iti tangata project.
The following is an account from one of the students, Tiare Makanesi.
At the beginning of 2022, Emma Samuels and I had the privilege of working alongside Emma Powell on ‘Akapapa’anga nо̄ te iti tangata: Stories from the Cook Islands Community in Dunedin. With this project, we learnt more about the Cook Islands community in Dunedin and the journeys of our community from the Cook Islands to New Zealand. From finding Cook Islands dance troupes in the early 60s to learning about the Uki Tamariki Ou Cook Islands childcare centre that was set up in the early 2000s in Corstorphine, we gained a better understanding of our culture and how significant it is to the culture of Dunedin.
Anja Matapo, with the research students for the ‘Akapapa‘anga nō te iti tangata project, Emma Samuels and Tiare Makanesi.
We spent most of our time scouring through an array of archives to create a foundation of knowledge to prepare us for our on-going community work. The Hocken was our most used archive where, with past papers and microfilm, we discovered many stories that captured beautiful Cook Islands values and parts of our culture.
One article that I believe expresses the importance of our ui tupuna (ancestors) was an ODT piece from 1993. Emma’s pāpā (grandfather) was interviewed during a study about why the majority of rest home residents are European. Pāpā Puka attributed living with his children as a common tradition practised throughout Polynesia. This custom shows how we treasure and continue learning from their puna (springs) of knowledge. We look after them as they did us. This article reminded us of how important it is to respect and care for those that raised us.
Another article that we came across was about a community leader, Pāpā Kōpu Rouvi, and his involvement within the Dunedin Cook Islands community since 1966! Papa Kopu served the community when bringing Cook Islanders from the Islands to Dunedin, supporting those that needed advice. He became a role model that recently arrived Cook Islanders could confide in. This year was the second year anniversary of his passing and Emma and I organised a gift for his family on behalf of the Otago University Cook Islands Students’ Association. The support and guidance he gave University students over the years was irreplaceable and we wanted to show our appreciation.
Emma’s part in this project has included project managing the Cook Islands’ community’s (Te Vaka Cook Islands of Dunedin Inc.) oral history project, funded by the Ministry of Culture and Heritage. Her time has been spent upskilling and organising so that the community can complete this project to deadlines and to the standards expected by the funder. Thoughtful communication, the importance of a plan B and taking that extra step for refinement are all things Emma has learnt and put into practice. Emma said this project was more than just researching for her. It was a special insight into a community that she loved being a part of. She has focused on organising an oral history workshop for the community with oral historian, Helen Frizzell, and others at the National Library, and she created an adjusted budget and plan for the project following the award in late 2021.
For Emma and I, it has been an extremely rewarding experience to delve deep into the histories of our Cook Islands community here in Dunedin. Although we are Dunedin-born and raised, we hadn’t grown up involved in Cook Islands events. This project has helped us reconnect with our culture in so many ways. We now have a wealth of knowledge and a kete (basket) of ideas to continue enriching the community through the Otago Cook Islands Students’ Association. The difficulty of uncovering this knowledge also inspired us to amend our association’s constitution to donate to the ephemera collection at the Hocken Archives every year. This will be a growing legacy of our footprints as Cook Islands students here at Otago University.
Emma and I are thankful for this opportunity to dig through the archives as we never would have without encouragement. We were rewarded with evidence of sports teams, church functions and cultural programmes throughout the archive. Not only was I fortunate enough to learn about my cultural heritage but also my family’s history. I am now more aware of my language, culture and how my grandparents experienced life when they arrived here. That was my favourite part of this project. It has allowed us to build strong connections within the community which is important when finding our identity. It really has helped us discover what it truly means to be a Cook Islander here in Dunedin.
We have the deepest gratitude for Te Vaka and Emma Powell for putting their faith in us to execute this research. We have gained many skills and experiences during our work and appreciate the responsibility given to us. We would like to thank Te Tumu and the University of Otago for allowing us to take a break from our supermarket jobs and fully immerse ourselves in such a rewarding “job”.
Meitaki ma’ata,
Tiare Makanesi.
The Cook Islands (Māori) Imaginary…
Dr Emma Powell
Dr Emma Powell is one of Te Tumu’s newest staff members, a member of our Indigenous Development team who will also be teaching INGS501 next year, the core paper for the Master of Indigenous Studies degree that investigates Indigenous methods and theories.
Emma will be presenting our next seminar, on “The Cook Islands (Māori) Imaginary: Genealogising across the New Zealand Realm” starting 3pm, 3 November. If we are back at Level 1, this will be in Te Tumu, otherwise click here to connect via Zoom. Code: 944548.
Please click on the poster below the abstract of Emma’s talk. Everyone is welcome to attend.
Click to enlarge
