Home Birth Aotearoa Spring Hui 2014
Information for attendees
2nd October 2014
Kia ora koutou
Well – not long until we gather together for our Hui in Auckland. Here is some
information that you may find useful to read prior to hui, I have tried to cover all
topics but if you have any questions please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
National Home Birth Hui
Hui are held annually to bring together representatives from regional home birth
groups and other home birth interested groups. Attending hui is an opportunity to
share issues and to reflect on what we are trying to achieve as a national
organisation. Issues are discussed; decisions for the months ahead are made; and
knowledge is shared. Participants leave hui inspired and energised by each other.
Pōwhiri
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Note: We are scheduled to begin the pōwhiri at 1.00 pm so please aim to arrive
at Umupuia Marae close to 12:30pm. Assemble near the marae entry.
First up on Friday is a pōwhiri so that we can be properly welcomed to the place
where we will be spending the greater part of the next three days. We (the visitors)
will be welcomed by the people of Umupuia Marae. We will gather near the
entrance and be called to walk forward. There will be some karanga, whaikōrero
and waiata where, as Jeannette says:
“...we will be sharing our commitment to what we stand for in the world with
those whose house we are using. It is part of our commitment to Te Tiriti and
furthering our vision of creating a new birth culture with all people of Aotearoa.
It is a formal welcome and acknowledgement of where we come from, why we
are there and the sharing of our commonalities, thereby creating a ‘space’ in
which everything else can occur”.
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Hui
1. (verb) (-a) to gather,
congregate, assemble,
meet. (Te Kākano
Textbook (Ed. 2): 122-28;)
2. (noun) gathering,
meeting, assembly,
seminar, conference. (Te
Kākano Textbook (Ed. 2):
122-128;)
Pōwhiri
1. (verb) (-a,-tia) to
welcome, invite, beckon,
wave.
2. (noun) invitation,
rituals of encounter,
welcome ceremony on a
marae. (Te Kākano
Textbook (Ed. 2): 122138;Te Kōhure Textbook
(Ed. 2): 197-205;)
Whaikōrero
1. (verb) (-tia) to make a
formal speech. See also
pāeke, tauutuutu.
2. (noun) oratory,
oration. (Te Kōhure
Textbook (Ed. 2): 243247;)
Karanga
1. (verb) (-tia,-hia) to call,
call out, shout, summon.
2. (noun) formal call,
ceremonial call - a
ceremonial call of
welcome.
Dress: The iwi have advised that it would be ideal, but by no means essential,
that all women wear long black skirts. Long skirts regardless of colour, are
preferred. Men should wear long pants.
Koha: We ask that everyone brings a small koha to contribute to the koha to the
marae. This could be a small monetary amount or another gift.
We will collect up the koha and this will be presented during the pōwhiri
For general information about pōwhiri and marae etiquette, please check out this site:
http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/marae-protocol-te-kawa-o-te-marae
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Waiata: Our waiata this year will be E tu Kahikatea and Pürerehua. Please try to prepare and then sing
the waiata in support of our speaker. We will conduct a quick practice before the pōwhiri begins.
Words for our selected waiata:
Chorus
Pürerehua
rere runga hau
Papaki parirau
Rere runga hau
(Ka piki, ka piki
Runga rawa e
Papaki parirau
rere runga hau.) x 2
Butterfly
carried on the wind.
Fluttering its wings
on the wind
Up and up
Way up high
Fluttering its wings
on the wind
Ka tau, ka tau
Runga püäwai
Ka whänauhua
A pürerehua.
Katahi, ka rua
Ka toru, ka wha
Ka rü, ka rë
Ka puta e whä whë
It lands
On a flower
To lay its eggs,
this butterfly.
One, two,
Three, four:
They shake and quiver,
Out pops four caterpillars
Ka kai, ka kai
Ka pau ngä rau
Ka huri ngä whë
Hei tüngoungou
Ka pata ki waho
He üpoko nui
He waewae roa
He parikau pakipaki
Rü rü rü rü ru ru rë
They eat and eat,
Every leaf consumed.
The caterpillars
Become pupae.
Out pops
A head,
A long bandy leg,
Fluttering wings,
Flitter, flutter, flap.
E tu kahikatea
Stand like the kahikatea (tree)
Hei whakapae ururoa
To brave the storms
Awhi mai awhi atu
Embrace and receive
Tatou tatou e
We are one together
E tu kahikatoa
Stand with vigour
Kare kau e hinga
You will not fall
Awhi mai Awhi atu
Give and receive help
Tatou tatou e
We are one together
E tu Puriri
Stand like the Puriri
Toha ra o peka
And reach out your branches
Awhi mai Awhi atu
Embrace and receive
Tatou tatou e (x2)
We are one together
Kei a wai Ceremony
Following the pōwhiri ,a cup of tea, notices and a bit of settling in, the next item on the agenda is the Kei a
wai ceremony. Jane Cunningham of Whangarei has written an account of how this vessel came to be,
including a description of the origins of the ceremony itself. The version attached was prepared by Trudy
Hart from Kati Kati. In an email Jane describes the significance of the water:
“...all attendees bring water from a place that is special to them - it serves the purpose of each of us
bringing our home & whanau with us, a part of our turangawaewae and links us to everyone over
time over the planet (after all, since the beginning of time, no new water has been created...)”.
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Remember to bring a little water from a place of significance to you.
Children & Whānau
This is a family friendly event and we want everyone to feel welcome and to be comfortable. Children
attending will have their needs met with an adventure after breakfast each day; to beach, park, hill climb,
adults join in also, then we are all ready to sit and kōrero. We will have some people available to help with
children and kitchen duties. The marae is situated on the lovely Pohutukawa Coast so you may wish to come
prepared with beach toys, outdoor clothes etc.
Catering / Kai
All meals will be catered. Meals will have a strong emphasis on deep nutrition, wholesomeness (organic
where possible) and nourishment of body and self. Dietary needs will be met as noted with registration.
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We welcome any contributions of seasonal produce from your garden or baking (sugar free or low sugar)
from your kitchen.
Sleeping / Noho Marae
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There is plenty of shared sleeping space for those who are staying overnight. Mattresses are provided
but please bring your own linen, blankets (or sleeping bag or duvet) and perhaps a pillow. If you are a
light sleeper then earplugs could be handy. Remember your usual toilet bag & towel too.
Hui Proceedings
A draft hui program is attached – please take a look at this and, if you have the chance, prepare some
thoughts from your regional, organisational & personal perspectives to bring along to the discussions.
Umupuia Marae
The Marae at Umupuia is the Mana Whenua Marae of the Ngai Tai Iwi of Umupuia and Tamaki Makaurau. It
is situated on ancestral land at Umupuia adjacent to the Wairoa River with Umupuia Beach immediately in
front and hundreds of acres of Ngahere (native bush) behind, and as such is unique in the Auckland area.
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Umupuia Marae is located at 163 Maraetai Coast Rd, Clevedon, Auckland
This link takes you to a map: http://www.eventfinder.co.nz/venue/umupuia-marae-auckland
Transport
If you need any help with (or can help with) transport please let us know. I will contact those who have
already indicated they would like transport to/from the airport.
See you all soon. Safe travelling......
Nga mihi nui
Sharon
Sharon Knightbridge
03 755 6095
021 0231 5665
shazphil@actrix.co.nz
Attached are:
 Proposed Program for hui
 An account of the Kei a wai ceremony
Remember to bring:
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a little water, from a place of significance
to you, for the Kei a wai ceremony
a small contribution for koha
your own linen etc if staying at the marae
any contributions from garden or kitchen
thoughts from your region to contribute
to the discussions