Ōraka-Aparima Rūnaka

04/09/2026

✨ Save the date: Hui-ā-Iwi 2026 ✨

Mark your calendars because Hui-ā-Iwi is back!

📅 20–22 November 2026
📍 Selwyn Events Centre, Rolleston

🏠 Hosted by Te Taumutu Rūnanga, Hui-ā-Iwi 2026 will be an opportunity to honour our connections while bringing whānau together to connect, learn, celebrate and help shape the future of our iwi.

This year’s theme is: Taumutu Ara Rau, Waihora Hua Nui

It speaks to the many pathways that bring people together at Taumutu and the generations of abundance of Te Waihora, a source of life and sustenance for our tīpuna.

More information, including registrations, logistics and the full programme, will follow. We will also be seeking expressions of interest from whānau-owned businesses and community organisations interested in hosting a stall or workshop during the event.

Find out more: https://ngaitahu.iwi.nz/connect-2/events/hui-a-iwi/

For now, save the date and keep an eye out for further updates! 🖤

15/07/2026

Kia ora e te whānau, if you want change rolls before the election, you need to do it by midnight, 6 August 2026!

Māori mā, now that it’s election year, it’s time to think about the roll you want to be on for the general election!

You can choose to be on either the Māori roll or the general roll.

You can change rolls whenever you want, except in the 3 months before an election. If you’re already enrolled and want to change rolls before the election, you need to do it by midnight, 6 August 2026.

It’s easy to check the roll you’re on, change rolls or enrol online at vote.nz/enrol – you just need a NZ driver licence, NZ passport or RealMe verified identity. Or you can call us for free at any time on 0800 36 76 56.

Find out more about what your choice means at vote.nz/maorioption

14/07/2026

Science at the Marae – Whānau Day is coming up on Saturday 25 July at Takutai o Te Tītī Marae.

Join the Ōraka-Aparima Fiordland Carbon Sink Project team and researchers from the geological science programme (University of Otago and Earth Sciences NZ) to explore hands-on Earth science activities, learn more about the project, and share in a day of kōrero and discovery.

All ages welcome and lunch is provided. Check your email for details or contact the office directly. Email [email protected]

We look forward to seeing you there!

19/06/2026

We have another opportunity for whānau to visit the University of Otago Geology Department and the Otago Repository for Core Analysis (ORCA) on 25 June.

Rūnaka members of all ages are welcome to take part, and for those with a particular interest in study and career pathways in Earth Sciences, it’s a great opportunity to meet researchers, postgraduate students, and University staff.

We may be able to offer transport from Aparima or Waihōpai.

Please RSVP by Tuesday 23 June to take part in the opportunity. Email: [email protected]

Pictured is Rūnaka member Tane Tamati, who visited ORCA earlier this month, with Fiordland Carbon Sink Project co-lead Professor Chris Moy.

This opportunity is part of our involvement with the Fiordland Carbon Project.

26/05/2026

We have two upcoming opportunities at the University of Otago Geology Department connected to the Fiordland Carbon Project.

🔹 An ‘open-day’ visit to the Geology Department and the Otago Repository for Core Analysis (ORCA) — an opportunity to see how core samples are analysed, meet researchers and postgraduate students, and hear about study and career pathways (25 June)

🔹 A one-day opportunity for a small group of rakatāhi to spend time at ORCA during an Antarctic core analysis programme, observing how scientists work with core samples and interpret environmental change (5 June)

These are great opportunities for those interested in science, study pathways, or simply seeing how this work happens in practice.

Spread the word with younger whānau members and contact the office for more info and to register. Email: [email protected].

25/05/2026

For our local whānau...

Upcoming free Riverton Health Clinics! Pop on in and see us at the Riverton Community Centre June 03 and 17.

24/05/2026

Kia hiwa ra, kia hiwa ra!!

He kai kahikatea, he rākau pāpua, te kiri amoko, te kiri kōwae, he uho hīnau tē wharemoa nei mai i te whenua ki te raki. Whakahuiā kia tau, ka tau, ka pai!

Kei ngā totorewa o tai wiwī, kā kikopuku o tai wawā, nei rā te whakamānawataka o te kākau e tauihi ake rā i kā tauwhirotaka a te wāhi karo kia tau iho ki ruka i a koutou katoa. Tīhei mauriora!

E kā taipito o Ōraka-Aparima, tēnei te whakamōhio atu ki a tātou katoa kua whakatūria a Ron Bull hei Tumu Whakarae hou mō tō tātou nei rūnaka.

He pou whakarae, he pou hereka waka mō te iwi, he uri whakatupu nō kā kāwai rakatira i heke mai i te moutere tītī o Taukihepa, ā, e whakapono ana mātou māna te rūnaka e arataki whakamua ki te ao akitu mō kā uri whakatupu i ruka i te whakaaro nui, te kākau tapatahi, me te ū ki kā tikaka tuku iho o tō tātou iwi.

It is with great pleasure that we announce the appointment of Ronald (Ron) Bull as Tumu Whakarae for Ōraka-Aparima Rūnaka. Ron hails from Ōraka, with his whakapapa deeply ingrained in Murihiku. Ron brings a wealth of expertise and the vision required to guide us through the next phase of growth for Ōraka-Aparima Rūnaka.

Please join us in extending a warm welcome home to Ron as he embarks on this role. Ron will begin his journey with us end of June 2026.

18/05/2026

Interested in earth and environmental science? We've got some exciting opportunities coming up!

- Visits to the University of Otago Geology Department and ORCA (Otago Repository for Core Analysis)
- Science at the marae (Takutai o te Tītī) for rakatahi and whānau
- Pātea Doubtful Sound wānaka

These opportunities are connected to the Fiordland Carbon Project, which Ōraka-Aparima Rūnaka is part of. It's looking at how natural systems in Fiordland store carbon over time, and what this tells us about environmental change.

Check your email for full details and the registration link, or get in touch with the office to find out more!

23/03/2026

Kia Ora koutou whānau

Ngā mihi nui to those of you that have responded to our Moko Hauora event. Due to the high volume of responses we have had, we are now closing off registrations.

To those have registered, we will be in contact soon.
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Kia Ora e te whānau o Ōraka-Aparima Rūnaka!!

We are now accepting bookings for our 6th Annual Moko Hauora Wānanga.

Tā Moko is an opportunity to delve into our whakapapa, heal, connect, tell our stories, and address our past, present and future. It is a right of passage for us as māori.

We are once again fortunate to have 3 amazing Kaitā join us:
- Renata Karena
- Jay Davis
- Jacob Tautari

Priority is given to our Kaumatua in the first instance, and registered Ōraka-Aparima Rūnaka whānau. To register please email [email protected]

19/03/2026

Kia kaha, kia māia, kia manawanui, e Stewart! Our kaumātua stands tonight as a finalist for Senior New Zealander of the Year at the Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Awards.