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Matariki

Takurua is a significant period for tangata whenua. It’s when Matariki, the Māori New Year, approaches, and it’s therefore particularly timely to celebrate tangata whenua and their experiences.

Like the constellations, in our day-to-day lives we often cluster together around points of commonality – our families, clubs, workplaces, hometowns or shared cultures. Whilst we all find valuable connection in shared experiences, at Shepherdess we strive to create a space where wāhine around the motu can share their individual journeys with others and have a moment to shine.

We created this page to act as a space for our indigenous stories, and each Matariki we will update this to revisit stories from over the past year.

Wool-handler Esther Kidd throws a fleece during shearing

The Ebb and Flow

Now a professor in marine science and aquaculture, Kura looks at innovative ways to restore Te Wahapū o Waihī – the Waihī Estuary – in Te Moana-a-Toi Bay of Plenty and ensure its kai moana can thrive for generations to come.

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The Gallery, Takurua Winter Edition 2024

Paperwork from the series Tai timu, tai pari, 2024, whenua pigment on harakeke paper, A4, by Tauranga-based artist Maraea Timutimu (Ngāi Tūhoe, Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāi Te Rangi).

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Wearing Their Kauae

Reflecting on the mokopapa, and the unique path that led each of them to it, Darcia, Challen and Mona-Pauline explore how multifaceted it is to be a wahine Māori exploring her identity in this day and age.

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Wool-handler Esther Kidd throws a fleece during shearing

Esther Kidd

The twenty-five-year veteran and Leading Charge Hand with Spain and Smith Shearing Contractors lays out what it takes to get through a day, and what keeps her going.  

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A Movement in the Māra

Bry Kopu, 51, and Te Raumahora Hema, 39, find synergy in their love for te taiao, and for their tūrangawaewae – Ngāmotu New Plymouth.

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Bringing people together with kai in the southernmost town in Aotearoa

Haylee-Chanel Simeon, 38, is the creative force behind restaurant Hayz @ The Anchorage, based in Bluff, Murihiku Southland.

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Mairangi sits in front of her marae, Onetahua.
Woman stands in front of her marae.

Soil Studies

Caring for the land and the environment starts with caring for the soil. That’s the ethos behind Rere ki Uta Rere ki Tai.

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The abandoned Māpiu Store.

Māpiu

Kim lives with her husband David on his family farm in Māpiu, where she has planted roots and been enveloped by the town’s tight-knit community.

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Renee plays with her two young children on the footpath.

A Peaceful Place

From her home in Geraldine, Renee (Rangitāne, Ngāti Kahungunu) reflects on how her upbringing has influenced how she is committed to raising her two children with gentleness.

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Woman stands in front of marae wearing mahi raranga

The Threads that Bind – Shona Tawhiao

It might not be the most traditional application of mahi raranga, but the work of toi Māori artist, Shona Tawhiao, is both visible and tangible, and that is exactly what has always driven her.

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Picture hanging on a wall (Native Berries of New Zealand by Fanny Osborne) of a bowl of native berries

On My Wall, Takurua Winter 2023

The picture holds a fair amount of mystery.

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Māori woman standing inside a marae

Wisdom from the Skies

Heeni Hoterene transforms maramataka lunar calendar wisdom for modern contexts, so it resonates with an ever-evolving world.

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Raumati Summer 2024/25 Edition

Twentieth Edition

Our beautiful Raumati Summer 2024/25 Edition is out now.

Do you have a story to tell?

We'd love to hear it.