Latest news with #NgāiTahu
Scoop
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scoop
20 September 2025 To 15 February 2026
Whāia te Taniwha, a new major exhibition at Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū, explores the enduring presence of taniwha in Aotearoa. Opening 20 September, this exhibition of work by Māori artists offers a window into the rich narratives of taniwha that tāngata whenua have held for generations. Co-curator Chloe Cull says that while many people in Aotearoa are familiar with the idea of taniwha, post-colonial, Western representations of taniwha have often been one-dimensional or inaccurate. 'This exhibition celebrates the diversity of taniwha. They are shapeshifters, oceanic guides, leaders, adversaries, guardians and tricksters who have left their marks on the Aotearoa landscape. ' Whāia te Taniwha also responds to the impact of colonisation on Māori knowledge systems by celebrating the deep and varied presence of taniwha within te ao Māori,' says Cull. The exhibition includes new major commissions from renowned Aotearoa artists such as Lisa Reihana and Maungarongo Te Kawa. Ngāi Tahu artists will also be well represented in the exhibition, with new work being developed by Jennifer Rendall, Fran Spencer, Kommi Tamati-Elliffe, Turumeke Harrington, Piri Cowie and Madison Kelly. These new works will be shown alongside existing works on loan to the Gallery. 'With the bulk of the exhibition comprising new commissions and loans, it'll be the first opportunity to see many of these works in Christchurch,' says Cull. The exhibition was inspired by Taniwha: A cultural history – a Marsden Fund supported research project by exhibition co-curators Dr Kirsty Dunn and Dr Madi Williams. Dunn explains that the inability to categorise or define taniwha are part of their enduring power. 'Many of the artists consider how ancestral knowledge within taniwha narratives provide potential pathways through contemporary challenges; these pathways are powerful, sometimes playful, sometimes confronting, and sometimes they reveal themselves in unexpected ways. Audiences might have some of their expectations challenged in this exhibition.' For those who enjoy interactive experiences, there will be a few things on offer – including an augmented reality sculpture and a video game that invites players to search for items that can uplift the wellbeing of a taniwha. Williams adds, 'Just as taniwha take many shapes and forms, the exhibition includes a multitude of disciplines – from painting and sculpture to textiles, video poetry and photography. 'Visitors will be invited to consider who, rather than what, taniwha are – and how taniwha stories can help us understand and navigate the world around us.' Whāia te Taniwha opens Saturday 20 September 2025 and closes on 15 February 2026.
RNZ News
3 days ago
- General
- RNZ News
Police recover 365 stolen pounamu pieces following tipoff
Police recover 365 pieces of pounamu, West Coast. Photo: Supplied / NZ Police Police have recovered 365 pieces of stolen pounamu after intercepting a vehicle on the Jackson River in South Westland on Wednesday, following a tipoff from the public. The alert was raised by Te Rūnanga o Makaawhio, representing the local hapū Ngāi Māhaki, after a vehicle was spotted heading up the river. Under current regulations, the public may fossick for pounamu only on beaches. Ngāi Tahu members are permitted to collect from rivers, but only with a valid permit from their local hapū. Franz Josef police located and stopped the vehicle, recovering the pounamu and preventing its removal from the area. Under current regulations, the public may fossick for pounamu only on beaches. Photo: Supplied / NZ Police Inspector Tracey Wharehoka said the theft of pounamu is treated with the same value and mindset that would be taken with other stolen property. "People are often under the impression that, because some of these West Coast locations are remote, no-one else is watching. "This incident proves that is simply not true, and our tight-knit community have their eyes and ears switched on." Te Rūnanga o Makaawhio chairman Paul Madgwick thanked police, saying the theft of greenstone had been an ongoing issue in remote areas. "While the Vesting Act confirms that all pounamu is owned by Ngāi Tahu, our respective pounamu management plans provide an opportunity for the public to fossick freely on the beaches and also recognise the right of Ngāi Tahu members to collect pounamu themselves, within boundaries. "Anyone who is unsure of the rules around pounamu gathering, or has pounamu in their possession and is unclear about ownership, whether they're the general public or Ngāi Tahu whanau, is urged to reach out to the local Rūnanga to understand what is permissible." Police said two men in their 30s were spoken to at the scene and charges were being considered, as the investigation continues. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Scoop
4 days ago
- Politics
- Scoop
Rūnanga Appeals Canterbury Water Rehab Project Consent
Local rūnanga are appealing the consent approval for the expansion of a significant Mid Canterbury water rehabilitation project, as they fear the move will put added pressure on the Rangitata River. However, the trust behind the environmental project says the decision to appeal "is a kick in the guts" for the district. Commissioners granted resource consents to Rangitata Diversion Race Management and Hekeao Hinds Enhancement Trust on April 30 to expand the groundwater rehabilitation project. Te Rūnanga O Arowhenua, which had opposed the consent application, filed its appeal to the Environment Court on May 21. The consents are to source water from the Rangitata Diversion Race to operate water aquifer and recharge sites at 37 locations, 15 existing and 22 new sites. The aquifer sites contain infiltration basins, which act like big leaky ponds. The basins are filled with high-quality water that seeps down and recharges the groundwater. In the consent decision, the independent panel stated the consent applications were only about what RDRML's existing allocation could be used for. 'There is no take application before us,' the consent decision stated. Te Rūnanga o Arowhenua argued that the panel got that aspect of the decision, and some other factors, wrong. Upoko (head) Tewera King said Arowhenua 'do not agree with the concept of taking water from one water body, and using it, in the way that has been proposed here, to improve unhealthy water'. 'It is not addressing the fundamental problem of why water is unhealthy in the first place. 'We believe the decision we are appealing would result in an increased actual take of water from the Rangitata River in circumstances where the river is already over-allocated. 'It also further diminishes the effectiveness of the Rangitata Water Conservation Order to protect outstanding characteristics of the river that are highly valued by Kāti Huirapa (hapū of Ngāi Tahu). 'We demand long-term thinking that provides for intergenerational prosperity and resilience.' Arowhenua wants the decision overturned and the application to be declined. Hekeao Hinds Enhancement Trust chairperson Peter Lowe said he was disappointed by the appeal. The environmental enhancement project had been set up by an inclusive, collaborative process, which included Arowhenua, he said. 'Its proven track record of positive environmental gains to biodiversity and water bodies was recognised by the independent commissioners in granting consents to expand the project,' Lowe said. 'To have this decision appealed is a kick in the guts for our district, the collaborative design process, and not least our environment and biodiversity.' Arowhenua had supported the initial water enhancement project starting in 2016 but has opposed the planned expansion of the project. The appeal comes at the same time that Ngāi Tahu's High Court case against the Crown to get a declaration that the tribe has legal rights over freshwater in its territory. Ngāi Tahu representatives are attempting to get real engagement on designing a better way to manage lakes, rivers and waterways that are becoming increasingly polluted, according to industry body Water NZ. Frustration at 'long, expensive' process The consents were initially lodged in 2022 and approved by the independent commissioners in April. Hekeao Hinds Enhancement Trust now faces potentially another year before it can get the expansion up and running, with the environment losing out, Lowe said. Lowe was scathing of ECan's consent process when providing an update to the Ashburton Water Zone Committee on Tuesday. 'They have put us through an extremely long, expensive, and torturous process. 'I think they need to hang their heads in shame to what they have done to this community.' The consenting process has cost the trust almost $600,000 so far. The Trust's sole funding source is from ECan, through the Targeted Hinds Regional Environmental Infrastructure Rate. That is causing community frustration as the service they are being rated for isn't being met due to the ongoing consent process, and subsequent appeal, Lowe said Water and land manager Pim De Monch said ECan continue monitoring the funding to ensure it's being used for its intended purpose. 'We appreciate the Trust's environmental infrastructure work programme is complex and long-term, and it takes time to be able to scope, consent, and deliver it.' ECan regulatory Implementation general manager Paul Hulse said the new resource consents will not proceed until any appeals to the Environment Court are resolved. 'HHWET can continue operating under their existing consents in the meantime.'
Otago Daily Times
4 days ago
- Otago Daily Times
Huge haul of West Coast pounamu recovered
A large amount of pounamu stolen from a West Coast river has been recovered, police say. Inspector Tracey Wharehoka said she was notified by Te Rūnanga o Makaawhio, representing the local hapū Ngāi Māhaki in South Westland, on Wednesday that a vehicle had been seen heading up the Jackson River by a member of the public, and it appeared the occupants were collecting pounamu. Pounamu (greenstone) is important to Māori culture and the stone is considered to be a taonga, or treasure. Public fossicking for it is only allowed on beaches, police said in a statement tonight. Rivers are able to be prospected by Ngāi Tahu members, but only with a permit from their local hapū to do so legally, which the people linked to the vehicle and trailer did not have. Officers from Franz Joseph were quickly sent to find the vehicle on Wednesday and recovered 365 pieces and boulders of pounamu. The matter will be investigated and through the resolution process the pounamu will be returned to the hapū. Insp Wharehoka said police take pride in working with local hapū, and the theft of pounamu is treated with the same value and mindset that would be taken with other stolen property. "We are pleased we were able to move quickly and intercept these alleged thieves in the act. "People are often under the impression that because some of these West Coast locations are remote, no one else is watching. This incident proves that is simply not true, and our tight-knit community have their eyes and ears switched on for any unusual activity." Te Rūnanga o Makaawhio chairman, Paul Madgwick, said the iwi was thankful for the swift response, as there had been an ongoing problem with theft of their taonga, especially in remote areas. "While the Vesting Act confirms that all pounamu is owned by Ngāi Tahu, our respective pounamu management plans provide an opportunity for the public to fossick freely on the beaches, and also recognise the right of Ngāi Tahu members to collect pounamu themselves, within boundaries. "Anyone who is unsure of the rules around pounamu gathering, or has pounamu in their possession and is unclear about ownership, whether they're the general public or Ngāi Tahu whanau, is urged to reach out to the local Rūnanga to understand what is permissible." Insp Wharehoka said the protection and recovery of pounamu was just as much about education and knowledge as it was about detection and enforcement. Two men aged in their 30s were spoken to at the time of the incident. Police are investigating and charges were being considered. "We will continue to work with local iwi and those involved for the best action and outcome for all," Insp Wharehoka said. - APL
Otago Daily Times
4 days ago
- Otago Daily Times
Police recover large amount of stolen pounamu
Some of the pounamu taken from the Jackson River. Photo: NZ Police A large amount of pounamu stolen from a West Coast river has been recovered, police say. Inspector Tracey Wharehoka said she was notified by Te Rūnanga o Makaawhio, representing the local hapū Ngāi Māhaki in South Westland, on Wednesday that a vehicle had been seen heading up the Jackson River by a member of the public, and it appeared the occupants were collecting pounamu. Pounamu (greenstone) is important to Māori culture and the stone is considered to be a taonga, or treasure. Public fossicking for it is only allowed on beaches, police said in a statement tonight. Rivers are able to be prospected by Ngāi Tahu members, but only with a permit from their local hapū to do so legally, which the people linked to the vehicle and trailer did not have. Officers from Franz Joseph were quickly sent to find the vehicle on Wednesday and recovered 365 pieces and boulders of pounamu. The matter will be investigated and through the resolution process the pounamu will be returned to the hapū. Insp Wharehoka said police take pride in working with local hapū, and the theft of pounamu is treated with the same value and mindset that would be taken with other stolen property. "We are pleased we were able to move quickly and intercept these alleged thieves in the act. "People are often under the impression that because some of these West Coast locations are remote, no one else is watching. This incident proves that is simply not true, and our tight-knit community have their eyes and ears switched on for any unusual activity." The pounamu will be returned to local iwi who consider it a taonga. Photo: NZ Police Te Rūnanga o Makaawhio chairman, Paul Madgwick, said the iwi was thankful for the swift response, as there had been an ongoing problem with theft of their taonga, especially in remote areas. "While the Vesting Act confirms that all pounamu is owned by Ngāi Tahu, our respective pounamu management plans provide an opportunity for the public to fossick freely on the beaches, and also recognise the right of Ngāi Tahu members to collect pounamu themselves, within boundaries. "Anyone who is unsure of the rules around pounamu gathering, or has pounamu in their possession and is unclear about ownership, whether they're the general public or Ngāi Tahu whanau, is urged to reach out to the local Rūnanga to understand what is permissible." Insp Wharehoka said the protection and recovery of pounamu was just as much about education and knowledge as it was about detection and enforcement. Two men aged in their 30s were spoken to at the time of the incident. Police are investigating and charges were being considered. "We will continue to work with local iwi and those involved for the best action and outcome for all," Insp Wharehoka said. - APL
