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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.
The World of Kapa Haka
Melissa’s black-and-white documentary-style photographs draw you in to the world of kapa haka, unveiling the emotion and spirit that goes in to each of the performance’s artistic threads.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
Mirror work: learning to love the skin she’s in with a daily body-love practice
As she approaches her thirties, Laney Van Jaarsveld (Ngāti Maru) is coming into a new phase in her relationship with her body.
It Takes a Village
After reconnecting with her cousin Jasmin and Jasmin’s partner, Taera found herself and her newborn, Mio, enveloped with love inside a “village” that cared for them both.
A Life of Kai
Christall Lowe (Ngāti Kauwhata, Ngāti Maniapoto) is a cook, food stylist and photographer based in Aorangi Feilding.
Doing it for the kids: making the local marae clubrooms a community-positive, whānau-focused space
Stacey lives next to Hungahungatoroa Marae, where she has shifted the priorities and focus of the clubroom to provide a more wholesome and community-positive space.
The rural rūmaki teacher with big aspirations for te ao Māori ways of learning
Te Waikohua Rata is a rural rūmaki teacher with dreams of seeing a grading system in place for te ao Māori ways of learning in the public schooling system.
Education as ‘succession planning’: shaping future generations with manaaki and aroha
Maikara Ropata, on how she uses waiata, kapa haka and education in te ao Māori to help shape future generations of decision makers.
Raumati Summer 2024/25 Edition
Twentieth Edition
Our beautiful Raumati Summer 2024/25 Edition is out now.