Ngāti Kahungunu recently released a 56-page booklet and CD containing Ngāti Kahungunu history, whakapapa, karakia, pepeha, oriori, moteatea, haka and himene.

The resource, Tïhei Kahungunu Passport and CD, was developed by Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated to retain Ngāti Kahungunu cultural identity. “It is a fantastic resource for our Kahungunu people. It keeps us in touch with our unique identity and heritage,” says Dr Kathie Irwin of Ngāti Kahungunu. Dr Kathie Irwin is also a chief analyst within Te Puni Kōkiri, with responsibility for the Culture Futures Report and she attended the release of the passport and CD. “There was so much positive energy and optimism in the room. This is a creative and innovative resource that will live on well into the future,” she says. The Tïhei Kahungunu concept was born out of a marae consultation process in 2001, where iwi leaders visited the 90 marae in Kahungunu to introduce a 25-year vision.

During these visits iwi leaders received requests from iwi members for the development of a compilation of classic Kahungunu waiata, history and whakapapa. Sixty-four percent of Ngāti Kahungunu descendants live outside of the Kahungunu rohe, so a resource of taonga was crucial. For more information contact Naumai Ropitini naumai@kahungunu.iwi.nz