Ngata Memorial Lectures 2009

NGATA LECTURES REACH NATIS OVERSEAS

The Ngati Porou national anthem Paikea resonated across cyberspace during the last night of the Sir Apirana Ngata Memorial lectures. For the first time in it’s sixteen year history the lecture series was webcast live to whanau around New Zealand and those based in Australia, Britain and the United States.

The lectures were held over three consecutive evenings in July ( 12 -14 ) at Ngata Memorial College. The event was well attended, despite the abysmal weather conditions and the closure of Busby’s Hill cutting off the main highway. The kaupapa for 2009 was Ngati Porou:Our Past, Our Present, Our Future. A cross section of leaders from the political, business and sporting arenas made up this year’s lineup of speakers.

Sunday evening featured Te Runanga o Ngati Porou chairman Apirana Mahuika, who spoke about the varying positions 19th century Ngati Porou rangatira took in relation to the signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. He also reiterated the importance of the Treaty to enable Maori going forward. Wayne Ngata, on behalf of the Tairawhiti Cultural Development Trust delivered an informative presentation about the next Te Matatini National Kapa haka festival, to be hosted in Gisborne in 2011. The NZ Film Archive also screened a selection of films shot in Ngati Porou during the 1920s to 1940s period. An enthralled audience watched the rare footage which featured our tipuna demonstrating cultural practices, including preparing a hangi and fishing. Early video recordings taken at the Ngata Lectures in the 1980s were also screened by the Archive on the Tuesday evening.

On Monday night Tairawhiti Manu Korero representatives Karli Rickard and Hineteariki Parata-Walker delivered their winning speeches which focused on the Price of Citizenship and its relevance for today.

Montana Book Awards finalist Dr Monty Soutar spoke about the process of developing the book “Nga Tamatoa: The Price of Citizenship.”

His address was preceeded by a special preview screening of “Amohia Te Mauri,” a documentary produced by Tiwai Reedy, that will soon air on Maori TV. The programme examines the background of “Nga Tamatoa. “

The speakers on the last evening (14 July which was the date Sir Apirana died) reflect the fact that the majority of the Ngati Porou population are under the age of 35 and urban based.

Maria Wynyard, a young leader within her hapu and marae, spoke about the significant influence her whanau played in instilling and preserving in her traditional values of kaitiaki and manaki. She also spoke about the importance of collective cultural aspirations and cultural rejuvenation of te reo.

Former Maori All Black, Rua Tipoki, filled in as a late replacement for Junior All Black Tamati Ellison, who was called up to join the All Black squad. Rua spoke about his career as a professional rugby player, where he has most recently returned from Ireland playing for Munster. He enjoyed playing for Munster because the fans reminded him of the strong support back home.
“I used to think back to just a few years ago when the Coast was winning. I always wanted to be a part of it because you used to see all the nannies doing Paikea. That stuff just makes you feel bulletproof and 10 feet tall.”
He believed that having a strong sense of identity was important for Ngati Porou.


Robotics expert Dr Jonathan Zyzalo, fascinated the audience with his insights in to an industry many Maori have traditionally not entered. He spoke about the importance of technology for the future of Ngati Porou.
He showed a series of videos on robotics technology he hoped “get the minds thinking”.
“If you're not keeping up with technology, you will get left behind.
“We are going to see stuff that's happening in the movies actually starting to happen in our world in the next 25 years.”

Health TV founder Travis O’ Keefe talked about developing his entrepreneurial skills from an early age and encouraged Ngati Porou to be creative and innovative.
“You can create a successful worldwide business from right here in Ruatoria. I believe the only limitations are those that we create for ourselves.” He also encouraged the audience to join him in performing the waiata Paikea to those watching the lectures on the internet.

In conjunction with the evening lectures additional hui was also held at Ngata College. On Sunday afternoon Professor Linda Smith of Waikato University chaired the consultation hui for Te Haeata. The purpose of the hui sought to receive feedback from Ngati Porou on what needed to be considered in establishing a Post Settlement Governance Entity to receive the Treaty of Waitangi Settlement assets. Professor Smith broke the audience into hapu clusters and each cluster engaged in a healthy discussion about hapu representation in the entity.

Rei Kohere chaired the second consultation session on Monday afternoon. This was an opportunity for people to learn more about what the Nga Hapu o Ngati Porou Foreshore & Seabed Deed requires from hapu in order to put the deed into action. The possible impact of the recent review of the FSSB Act on the Deed was also discussed.

A second Te Haeata hui was held on Tuesday afternoon. Attendees were given a detailed overview of the TOW negotiations between NP negotiators (Te Haeata) & the Crown. The audience was able to ask questions of the Te Haeata committee so that they were clear in their minds as to the issues that are being addressed in the negotiations. A pre-recorded video of Minister for Treaty Settlements Hon. Chris Finlayson was also screened after this hui. The Minister was due to speak at the Sunday evening lectures but had to give his apologies due to adverse road conditions.

Te Runanga o Ngati Porou chief executive Dr Monty Soutar said the lectures were extremely successful. “We need to build on this success and next year try to draw more young people to the event,” he said. “The middle of winter is clearly not the time to host this event and we should be looking to September or October 2010.”

Taranaki people have been invited to next years lectures so the focus will include our long-standing connections made stronger by Sir Apirana and Sir Maui Pomare.

To view a copy of Travis O Keefe's presentation please click here