By:

The Maori Marae complex (tribal community 'home') exists as the last outwardly discernible bastion of Mäori cultural distinction. Maintenance of marae as a central tenet of Mäori society is dependant upon the availability of a culturally competent and proficient Mäori populace who are willing and able to fulfill the multiple roles that give life to the marae. A social indicator of well being, a flourishing marae mirrors the state of a Hapü-iwi and vice versa. By way of photograph essay delivered in conjunction with an indepth commentary, this presentation provides an insight into the issues of Mäori cultural continuity as perceived by the people of Ngati Te Takinga – Ngati Pikiao who are involved in the research project ‘e hoki ki tö maunga’. An ethnographical study within one Hapü, this project gathered the oral histories [stories] of both home, urban - national and international dwelling Ngati Te Takinga affiliates, in order to investigate aspects of ‘connectiveness’ to Hapü - iwi - marae and concepts of home, belongingness and Maori identity. The essay will highlight two key issues revealed within the narratives. Firstly, the concerns of the ahi kaa or the home people in relation to the maintenance of the marae as the central tenet of the Hapü-iwi and secondly, the anxieties of the ahi tere (urban – away people) in relation to their future prospects for a return home – to participate at the marae. The presentation gives voice to the thoughts and feelings and the hopes and concerns of home and away grandmothers and grandfathers; mothers and fathers and aunties and uncles of Ngati Te Takinga – Ngati Pikiao, with specific regard to Mäori cultural continuity.

Stream: First Nations, Indigenous Peoples

Paper: A paper has not yet been submitted.

Tepora Emery is from the Te Arawa Iwi who reside in the central North Island of New Zealand (Rotorua). Tepora's is a third year PhD student and her research and work interests include Maori education and socio-cultural and political conscientisation and development. Tepora also works with Te Arawa peoples to protect, preserve and conserve iwi (tribal) environmental resources (such as water sources on tribal land) from ongoing non sustainable development initiatives implemented by local and national NZ government bodies. Tepora is the Research Project Co-ordinator at Te Runanga o Ngati Pikiao, a local iwi (tribal) community group. She is working to establish a research unit at the Runanga.