Rangitāne o Wairau

07/09/2026

Kurahaupō Wānanga Waiata #3

These sessions are a time for all uri of Kurahaupō Waka to come together and sing our waiata. This is not just for Rangitāne uri, but for all descendants of Kurahaupō Waka. 👪

📅 Wānanga #3
Sunday 20 September
⏰ 10:00am – 1:00pm
📍 Ūkaipō

Please bring a plate/kai to share. 🥗🍞☕️

We look forward to seeing you there! 🎶✨

Kupu: https://canva.link/zte92ixsc1o9fx4

07/09/2026

Free Flu Vaccines Available!

Flu is still circulating, and it's not too late to get vaccinated.

As of 1 September 2026, tamariki aged 6 months to under 5 years are now eligible for a FREE flu vaccine. Free flu vaccinations are also available for people aged 65 years and over.

If you or a whānau member are eligible, talk to your doctor, pharmacy, or healthcare provider today.

07/09/2026

Ngā manatu o raurangi - Hepetema - 7/9/1868 – Letter by Ihaia Kaikoura and other rangatira on their claims along the east coast.

On 7 September 1868, Rangitāne rangatira living in Wairau sent a letter to the head of the Native Land Court to explain the lay of the land, and the rangatira over certain sections of the Rangitāne rohe. The letter starts at the Pōhatu awa with Enoka Takahaere and continues along the east coast, out to Te Karaka, along Tapuae o Uenuku, inland to Rangitahi, through to the lakes, back along Paepae Tangata, through to Tokomaru, to Tara-o-te-marama, through to Rahotia and finishing at Pareraho. The rangatira who signed and were mentioned included Hoani Enoka, Hekeira, Watene Te Ihupaea, Wirihana Maui, Wikiriwha, Hopa Te Rangihiroa, Paora Rangitakaia, Mehaka Watene, Ihaia Kaikoura and Hamuera Taiora.

06/09/2026

Funding Opportunity | Waitangi Day 2027

The Commemorating Waitangi Day Fund 2027 is now open, with grants of up to $7,500 available. Applications close 16 October 2026.

Do you have an idea for a community event that brings people together to commemorate Te Tiriti o Waitangi/The Treaty of Waitangi?

Applications for the Commemorating Waitangi Day Fund are now open. The fund supports events that celebrate local history, encourage community participation, and help New Zealanders learn more about the significance of Te Tiriti.

🔗 https://www.mch.govt.nz/our-work/apply-funding/commemorating-waitangi-day-fund

📷Waitangi Day 2025 event, Lake House Trust (Grae Burton)

04/09/2026

Living Overseas on Election Day?

If you're living, working, studying, or travelling overseas, you may still be eligible to vote in the Election. Overseas voting opens, 21 October.

Check your enrolment, update your details, and find out how to cast your vote from wherever you are in the world.

More information:
• Enrol from overseas: https://vote.nz/enrolling/get-ready-to-enrol/enrol-from-overseas
• Vote from overseas: https://vote.nz/2026-general-election/voting-in-the-election/vote-from-overseas

Get amongst it e te iwi!!

03/09/2026

Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou — changes at our Rangitāne commercial board table 🌿

As of 31 August 2026, Leigh MacDonald and Haysley MacDonald concluded their terms as Directors of Rangitāne Holdings Limited and Rangitāne Investments Limited, having both served nine years supporting our commercial aspirations.

Leigh served as Board Chair from 2019, guiding RHL/RIL through a significant period of growth and change with humility and wisdom.

To Leigh and Haysley — thank you both for your service, your contribution, and your commitment to our people. Your service as Directors since 2017 is much appreciated and our results are a testament to your resolve. Ngā mihi nui ki a kōrua.

We are also pleased to confirm the appointment of Leighton Evans as Board Chair of RHL/RIL. Leighton has served as a Director of RHL/RIL since 2022 and brings extensive executive and governance experience, working with large, diversified investment portfolios. His appointment provides valuable continuity and clarity as the Board moves through this period of transition.

Appointed as Independent Directors with effect from 1 September 2026 are:

➡️ Jhonte McFadyen-MacDonald (Rangitāne o Wairau), a Chartered Accountant with extensive experience in finance, investment analysis and strategic planning. Jhonte has served as Independent Chair of our Audit, Risk & Compliance Committee since 2018.

➡️ Michael Bendall (Ngāti Porou), a commercial law partner based in Ōtautahi with experience across commercial and community organisations, and a strong grounding in te ao Māori.

Appointed as Trust Representatives to the RHL/RIL Board are Keelan Walker and Calvin Hart.

Dave Jessep also continues as a Director of RHL/RIL, having served our whānau in this capacity since 2018.

Together, our Directors bring a strong combination of legal, financial, commercial and iwi governance expertise — and a shared commitment to protecting and growing our asset base for the generations to come. 📈

Nau mai, haere mai. We look forward to the contribution each of them will make. 🤝

01/09/2026

HE AITUA | Eileen Mary MacDonald (née O’Connor)

Ngā whetū o te rangi, kua tineia, kua kore; te marama kua taka, kua pō te ao, kua ngaro koe, e kui e!

E te whānau, it is with much sadness that we share the sad news that Aunty Eileen passed away peacefully at Wairau Hospital on Saturday 29 August 2026, aged 88 years.

Aunty Eileen was the dearly loved wife of the late Uncle Taane MacDonald for 68 years, a cherished mother and mother-in-law to Garry and Lesley, Dianne and Tom, the late Geoffrey, Donna, Johnnie and Marie, and Deb and Johnny, and an adored grandmother and great-grandmother.

We extend our aroha and deepest condolences to the MacDonald whānau and all those who knew and loved Eileen at this sad time.

A celebration of Eileen’s life will be held at St Mary’s Catholic Church, Maxwell Road, Blenheim, at 1.00pm on Thursday 3 September, followed by interment at Omaka Cemetery.

The service will also be livestreamed through Sowman’s upcoming funerals page.

In lieu of flowers, the whānau have asked that donations be made to the Flaxbourne Heritage Centre.

Moe mai, moe mai, moe mai rā. 🕊️

31/08/2026

Do you have tamariki under 18 who aren't yet registered?

Now is the perfect time to get them registered. Jump onto our website or get in touch with the office if you need a hand with the registration process.

With the 2026–2027 Grants and Scholarships just around the corner, it's worth getting everything sorted early.

📚 Poroiwi Education Grants open in one month's time, with our Rangitāne General Scholarship applications opening the following month.

Don't leave it until the last minute. Make sure your tamariki are registered and ready to go! 😊

Register here: https://rangitane.org.nz/register

28/08/2026

He Toi Whakairo at Te Papa

This morning, three of our Rangitāne rangatahi, Rihari Bird, Manaia Huntley and Sativa Scott, accompanied by Keelan Walker and Will Macdonald, travelled to Pōneke to attend the dawn blessing and opening of He Toi Whakairo | The Art of Māori Carving at Te Papa Tongarewa. The exhibition explores the legacy, enduring mana and ongoing potential of whakairo Māori, celebrating the knowledge, practice and taonga of generations of carvers.

A special connection for Rangitāne is the inclusion of Wahangohi (Wahaika), a striking weapon from Tōtaranui, Te Tauihu, associated with Rangitāne o Wairau, Ngāti Kuia and Ngāti Apa ki Te Rā Tō. The exhibition provides an opportunity for our rangatahi to connect with taonga and learn more about the rich traditions and artistry of whakairo Māori.

We are proud to see our rangatahi representing Rangitāne and taking part in such a significant occasion alongside whānau, hapū and iwi from across Aotearoa. The exhibition officially opened this morning following a pōwhiri and karakia at Te Papa.

28/08/2026

🚧🤝 Building stronger relationships through kōrero and collaboration.

Today, we were pleased to join Marlborough roading contractors at a hui brought together by Waka Kotahi and local contractors, held at Ūkaipō – the Rangitāne Cultural Centre.

The session provided an opportunity to share the story of Rangitāne o Wairau, the work we do today, our aspirations for the future, and how our Iwi Environmental Management Plan helps guide the protection and enhancement of our whenua, wai and taiao. 🌿

Most importantly, it was a chance to build connections and explore how we can work together to deliver better outcomes for our communities, our environment, and future generations.

A special thank you to Aaron Hemi of Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō for leading the mihi whakatau. 🙏