Latest news with #Rātana
The Spinoff
26-06-2025
- Politics
- The Spinoff
Kia au tō moe, Takutai Moana Natasha Kemp
Politics reporter Lyric Waiwiri-Smith and Ātea editor Liam Rātana pay tribute to Tāmaki Makaurau MP Takutai Moana Natasha Kemp, who died in the early hours of this morning. Takutai Moana Natasha Kemp was a relatively quiet person, at least in the public eye. Throughout her election campaign, time in parliament, and media interviews, Kemp had a humble yet assured presence. She spoke eloquently but was never pretentious. What was clear to all, however, was her passion for advocating for Māori. A first-term MP for Te Pāti Māori, Kemp celebrated her 50th birthday party over Matariki weekend. She revealed last July that she was suffering from kidney disease, and took six weeks' leave from parliament. At her time of death, Kemp was awaiting a kidney transplant. Of Ngā Rauru, Ngā Iwi Mokai Patea, Ngāti Tamakopiri, Ngāti Whitikaupeka, Ngāi Te Ohuake, Ngāti Hauiti, Ngāti Paki, Ngāti Hinemanu and Ngāti Tūwharetoa descent, Kemp was the eldest child of Clark Karaka Kauika-Stevens and Ngaire Anne Te Hirata Kauika-Stevens, nee Steedman. She was named Takutai Moana after her father's mother, Takutai Moana Nora Wirihana Tawiki – a name she received when she was baptised as a mōrehu of the Rātana faith. Kemp was raised by her nana Takutai and grandfather Temanea Turereao Sonny Kauika-Stevens, who helped raise 24 children in total, including six of their own and several of Kemp's father's first cousins. 'I was brought up with them and they are my village,' Kemp said in her maiden speech to parliament in 2023. Kemp's father enlisted in the Corps of the Royal New Zealand Engineers and was posted to Linton army camp in 1977. Kemp and her whānau travelled from Marton to Singapore as her father served, before she returned to Takirau marae in the Waitōtara Valley, South Taranaki, to be raised by her grandparents at seven years old. Kemp attended Ngamatapouri School and it was here she was immersed in tikanga and te ao Māori. 'Everything I know can be attributed to my upbringing at Takirau marae, our whānau, our ahi kā.' At 11 years old, Kemp returned to the care of her parents and attended Monrad Intermediate School at Palmerston North. It was here she strengthened her connection to the Rātana church. Her grandfather Sonny Kauika-Stevens and great-grandfather Paora Hekenui were both apostles of the church. Her grandfather's mother Huatahi Peina Hawira and great-grandfather's sister Mariana Hekenui were both part of the group that travelled with Tahu Potiki Wiremu Rātana on his world tour in 1924. By age 14, Kemp and her whānau were living in Tāmaki Makaurau. After high school, Kemp went on to study at Auckland University and Te Wānanga o Raukawa, with a focus on anthropology, health, education and mātauranga Māori. After this, she began working as a community health worker supporting teenage hapū māmā for Putea o Pua midwifery support services in Ōtāhuhu. It was here Kemp met prominent Māori activist Syd Jackson, who began to mentor her. In 1995, Kemp had her son Temanea Ereru Kauika-Quinlan. Her daughter Tania-Jade Waimarie Kauika-Fairbrother was born two years later in 1997. Kemp then founded and led the Rangatahi Mental Health Youth Hub in partnership with the University of Auckland, serving as chief executive for 13 years. The service delivered sexual health education in schools, alternative education, intermediate kura and wharekura. It also established the suicide prevention programme Talk 2 Me. 'Here, I learnt the true value and love for working with rangatahi and the takatāpui community,' said Kemp in her maiden speech. 'I encouraged rangatahi to stand proud, that they had a voice, that they mattered, and that they were valued.' As Kemp's children grew up, they developed a love for hip-hop dance, which led Kemp to get involved too. She was the head of Hip Hop International, a dance programme for rangatahi, and served as director of Dziah Dance Academy from 2007 to 2015, during which time it gained global recognition, and became the first dance crew to represent Aotearoa at the World Hip Hop Dance Championships in the United States. In 2021, Kemp was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to street dance and youth as part of the Queen's Birthday honours. 'We always said hip hop saved our lives as a whānau, and Dziah was that life and a lifestyle for us,' Kemp said during her maiden speech. Prior to entering parliament, Kemp served as chief executive of Manurewa Marae – a role she took up in August 2019. Her time at the marae was spent on the frontlines, helping whānau in need of food, housing and healthcare – especially during the Covid-lockdown period. While Kemp was at the helm, the marae established one of the largest foodbanks in South Auckland and administered more than 65,000 vaccinations during the pandemic. This work was honoured by Labour's Arena Williams, MP for Manurewa, who appeared puffy-eyed alongside caucus colleagues Peeni Henare, Carmel Sepuloni and Willie Jackson in parliament this morning. Williams and Kemp were close, having first met in 2011 when Williams was 21 years old, and Kemp was leading a dance group for rangatahi in what would become Williams' electorate. 'It was a group of people who had struggles with school – these were young women, young men who wanted somewhere to be themselves and to find something,' Williams said. 'They loved that it was something creative – she created this space for them where they could see a future in the creative arts in Aotearoa… She was someone who always had an open door for young people. 'There will be a lot of South Aucklanders who really feel this, [who] will really miss having someone like this. It's time for all of us to come together to support one another, to keep fighting for those things that she believed in: whānau wellbeing, people finding a place for themselves no matter what their background [is].' Williams said Manurewa Marae will be used as a connector for the community. Takutai Moana Natasha Kemp winning the Māori electorate of Tāmaki Makaurau was one of the biggest upsets of the 2023 election. Knocking the incumbent, senior Labour MP Peeni Henare, off his perch was no small feat, as he had held the seat for nine years. Kemp won the electorate by a slim margin of 42 votes. Kemp's success was not without controversy, with questions asked about the appropriateness of Manurewa Marae being used as a polling booth at the 2023 election, given the Tāmaki Makaurau candidate's position there. In June 2024, allegations emerged that census and Covid-19 vaccine data collected by Manurewa Marae staff had been misused to help Kemp's campaign. The subsequent inquiries found it was likely 'on balance' that some photocopying of census data had occurred. In May this year, police referred a complaint relating to Manurewa Marae to the Serious Fraud Office. In the political arena, having to campaign against someone does not always promise a built-in feud – often, unlikely friendships can grow, particularly between Māori. Henare had only just yesterday spent an hour with Kemp, bringing the youth MP assigned to him to meet her and share in her political experience and advice. 'When you campaign together, when you work in a community together, you become more than colleagues – she called me 'brother', and I called her 'sister', and that's how it was,' Henare said. He hadn't yet begun thinking about the byelection that Kemp's death will trigger in Tāmaki Makaurau. Labour MP Willie Jackson described the situation as 'catastrophic'. 'We contest politically, but it doesn't take away – particularly in Māori politics – how close you get, still, even though we might be tough on each other on the campaign,' Jackson said. 'She didn't think she was seriously ill. Every time you asked her: ʻoh, I'm good!'… I don't think she thought that it was coming at all.' Acting prime minister David Seymour and the Act Party acknowledged Kemp's death with 'great sadness'. 'She is gone far too soon and our thoughts are with her whanau and Te Pāti Māori colleagues. Farewell, and may you rest in peace.' The prime minister, Christopher Luxon, who currently in Europe, said his thoughts were with Kemp's 'whānau, friends, colleagues, and the Tāmaki Makaurau community'. While Kemp did sometimes require a walking stick to navigate the parliament buildings – all those stairs and hallways getting in the way of speaking truth to power – and often moved slower than the rest of her parliamentary colleagues, she continued to show up for the kaupapa until her last day, having sat through the proceedings of the House just hours before her passing.
NZ Herald
09-06-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Whanganui rugby: Strong second half powers Taihape to win
Taihape overcame a halftime deficit to beat Rātana on Saturday. Photo / Kate Belsham, Ivy Digital Brought to you by Whanganui Rugby Tāmata Hauhā Rātana's hopes of a repeat Tasman Tanning Premier semifinal appearance took a body blow in their only Pā game of the second round against a clinical Byfords Readimix Taihape on Saturday. The Barracks Challenge Shield holders knew one way and that
NZ Herald
22-05-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Whanganui club rugby: Taihape edge Rātana in thrilling women's rugby clash
Rātana were assisted immeasurably by flanker Hayley Gabriel, an 11-game Taranaki standout, who scored a double. Their other tries came from fullback Acacia Kingi-Te Koari and halfback Unique Haami-Rerekura, while Armani Martin added three conversions. Sitting four points ahead of Rātana in the race for a home semifinal, Taihape will look to keep momentum going when they host Hunterville at Memorial Park tonight, while Rātana have the big test on home turf in the Pa on Saturday, facing the unbeaten AGC Training Marist Clovers. Hunterville are also hunting points as they now sit outside the top four after a tough game with fellow newcomers the Heidi Macaulay Realty Bulls, as the Manawatū club made it two wins in a row with a 29-22 away victory. Bulls first five Alyse Bird continued her great form with 14 points from two tries and two conversions, with the other tries coming from fullback Sinead Barrell, second five Aaone Sio and lock Kat Penny-Baker. The home side has the Hendersons – skipper and lock Brooke, along with flanker Chloe – who scored two tries between them. Winger Amoe Harawira dotted down, as did one of the Tipus - No 8 Shayden and halfback Shyana – while fullback Charlize Cook added a conversion. Bulls now have the chance to go for three straight wins against Marton Queenbeez at home tonight. Draw May 23: Bulls vs Marton, Bulls Domain, 6.30pm; Taihape vs Hunterville, Memorial Park, 7pm; May 24: Rātana vs Marist, Pa, 1pm. Senior competition Border Seniors have the first victory of the season under their belts and a chance at some silverware coming up, but their biggest goal this year is confirming the future of their club. The dichotomy out in South Taranaki for the past decade is at Tasman Tanning Premier level. Waverley Harvesting Border have been undisputed powerhouses, while their Senior team have struggled for traction, and at times even to keep a full squad together. But addressing these issues this season is arguably the most well-qualified coaching and management group in the whole Senior grade. Having coached the Border Premiers to their inaugural title in 2016 and then winning the Taranaki Premier title last year with the Stratford-Eltham club, Ross Williams came back to Dallison Park to help build up the B team, being joined by former Marist Premier coach Jerome McCrea. Also lending their forwards expertise are two retiring stalwarts from the Border Premier title five-peat: former captain Angus Middleton and front rower Hamish Mellow. Provided with elite-level structure, Border were competitive in defeat from their first four games, averaging nearly 17 points while conceding 35 per match, certainly not blowouts. Then it clicked at home last Saturday with a 35-14 win over Bennett's Taihape to move into the top eight. Although the side had the services of Premier and former Whanganui outside back Harry Symes, the regulars led the way with centre William Black scoring two tries, while flanker Zane Annabell, halfback Kobe Pene and reserve front-rower Reefton Pene also dotted down. Williams is enjoying working alongside McCrea, Middleton and Mellow in rearing this rookie team. 'To be a sustainable model, they need a B team and they need to grow the guys in the town – they're the future of the club. 'We haven't had a lot of time together so every week, the more time together, the more they gel. 'They're enjoying the trainings because they're organised. There's quite a bit of care shown towards the group and within the group, which I think gets the best out of them.' It sets Border up for their Whanganui Challenge Shield away match with McCrea Scanning Counties, which ironically pits the coaching group up against their mates from Border's Premier title wins, Lindsay Horrocks and Bryn Hudson. Draw May 24, 1pm kickoffs unless noted (times subject to change): Utiku Old Boys vs Ruapehu, Memorial Park; Hunterville vs Taihape, Hunterville Domain; Kaierau vs Pirates, Country Club; Marist Celtic vs Marist Knights, Spriggens Park; Counties vs Border, Macnab Domain (2pm).
NZ Herald
08-05-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Whanganui club rugby: Undefeated Marist and Rātana clash in women's showdown
In the earlier matchup, Rātana fullback Carrie Rennie had a massive game with four tries and three conversions for a 26-point haul, while first-five Armani Martin scored 19 points from a try and seven conversions. Doubles came from flanker Te Amorangi Karaitiana and winger Lee Arna Nepia. However, there was a cheer for the Queenbeez' first points of the campaign, with winger Farren Rowe scoring a try. It sets up a big Saturday for the Queenbeez, who have their best chance of an inaugural win in the competition when they host the newcomers Heidi Macaulay Realty Bulls, who will be looking to do the same. Bulls lost last week at Memorial Park to defending champions Byfords Construction Taihape 48-10, with Taihape's former Black Fern Ruth McKay scoring two tries at hooker. Marist had to play Hunterville without their inspirational prop Lavenia Nauga-Grey, who joined club-mate Talawadua in becoming a fully-fledged international player. Nauga-Grey came off the bench for the Fijiana in their test match against Australia in Suva on Saturday, with the Wallaroos winning their first-ever game in Fiji, 43-7. Draw May 8: Marist vs Rātana, Cooks Gardens, 6.30pm May 9: Marton vs Bulls, Marton Park, 1pm. Hunterville def to Taihape. Senior competition They can be the Jekyll and Hyde team of Tasman Tanning Senior, but when the crew of Seales Winslow Pirates are on song, you underestimate them at your peril. Beaten seventh-placed quarter-finalists last year by eventual champions Utiku Old Boys, Pirates got payback on that game in the opening round this season, shocking their hosts 20-17 at Memorial Park. Expectations had to be tempered in Week 2 after a heavy 53-12 loss at Spriggens Park to contenders McCarthy's Transport Ruapehu, but the team righted themselves last weekend with a 29-12 away win over Border at Dallison Park. It sets up a big clash on Saturday for the Whanganui Challenge Shield with holders McCrea Scanning Counties. 'That Border game was a bit scrappy, just because we had a few new boys playing, we just gave them a run and it got a bit messy,' said Pirates coach Matt Davis. 'But this week, we'll put our best team on the field because Counties look like they're a pretty good team. 'We've got a couple of cups on the line – we've got a local one that's played between Counties and Pirates that we play for every year.' Like last year, Pirates will look to bring in some noteworthy Fijian talent, but currently two of them are hurt among other regulars having to sit out. 'We haven't really had the same team every week, we've got a couple of injuries to key players at the moment,' said Davis. Advertise with NZME. 'We're sort of down on the Fijian [numbers of] boys – they're still out of town, but we're getting good numbers – it's just those injuries are hurting us at the moment. 'We're still trying to play that flair style, but it's just a bit hard at the moment, we don't really have the cattle to do it, but we're still trying.' Eager to get their hands on the Shield, Pirates want to set themselves up to become a Top 4 team and earn a home quarterfinal. They are skippered once again by hooker Josh Callaghan, while young flanker Tatara Cook continues to impress. Prop Uriah Toru has scored two tries, while backing up the front row on the bench is the evergreen war horse Brett Turner, 24 caps for Steelform Whanganui and a Meads Cup winner. 1pm kickoffs unless noted (times subject to change): May 9: Hunterville vs Ruapehu, Memorial Park (7pm)
NZ Herald
08-05-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Whanganui club rugby: Marist and Border chase first win of season
Therefore, both Marist and Border need their first on-field win, given Byfords Readi-Mix Taihape will pocket five points on their break this weekend, while the undefeated Wanganui Car Centre Kaierau travel to the Pa to meet Rātana in what should be an absolutely barnstorming Barracks Challenge Shield match due to the talent in both backlines. The other big incentive for the Spriggens game is the inter-club Jake Alabaster Memorial Shield, named for the young utility forward who played for both clubs before passing away in 2017, aged 24. Since its introduction in 2018, Marist have held the shield only twice, the last time being when they defeated Border in the first round of games in the 2019 season, 27-25. There have been chances – none better than the first-round games last year when a very understrength Marist travelled to Dallison Park and played above themselves, before Border first-five Tyrone Albert slotted a penalty with less than one minute left for a 32-29 win. Their veterans, like redoubtable prop Renato Tikoisolomone, outside back Tom Symes and lock Jack Hodges, are the surviving front-line players from the last era where Marist could beat Border semi-regularly, before the Waverley club started their magnificent five-straight championship run. Star midfielder Alekesio Vakarorogo was injured for the Rātana game but Border have been well-served by their other Fijian backs Silio Waqalevu and Rusiate Lalanabaravi – the latter doing some awesome offloads to set up winger tries. Marist have very few front-liners left from the 2018-19 seasons. Their success hinges on the efforts of play-makers Daniel Kauika and Wiremu Morgan, and a strong loose-forward trio in Samu Kubunavanua, Brett Joyes and Jayden Lower. May 10, 2.35pm kickoffs
