Whītiki tauā e kara.
E uma kūkupa ana ō iwi i ā koe.
The Healthy Families Far North whānau are so proud, and incredibly honoured to see our kāumātua Rereata Mākiha being recognised for his mahi tiaki taiao at the Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Awards last night, winning Senior New Zealander of the Year, 2022.
Rereata Mākiha (Ngapuhi, Te Arawa, Rangitane) has dedicated his life to Te Ao Māori - an innovator who finds new ways to pass on knowledge.
A broadcaster and reporter from the early 1970s, he was instrumental in the revitalisation of ancient karakia Māori and is a specialist in ancestral knowledge.
A promoter of manaaki taiao, he has led in the revival of whare wānanga teachings and traditional practices related to the environment. The renowned Kaikōkōrangi Māori astrologer is a leading authority on the maramataka and tohutaka, working alongside others to teach its value in communities across Aotearoa.
Papa Rereata has worked with Healthy Families Rotorua, Healthy Families South Auckland and now Healthy Families Far North, to help guide our kaupapa across Te Tai Tokerau.
Matua Rereata believes in the power of sharing knowledge and using oral traditions, kōrerotukuiho, to connect and educate the next generation.
“I need to pay tribute and thank our ancestors who passed all this knowledge on to us today to help us survive and help us look forward to the future, and for providing a future for our mokopuna in the years to come,” he said.
“I don’t want to leave anybody out, but thanks to the Society of Māori Astronomy Research and Traditions, who set up the platform to start educating and passing on this knowledge. Rangi Matamua, Dr Ruakere Hond, Hoturoa Barclay-Kerr, and all the waka navigators who have carried parts of this Mātauranga for many years.”
The annual Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Awards are presented to New Zealanders from all walks of life across six different award categories.
The Ryman Healthcare Senior New Zealander of the Year Award recognises those who have made a positive contribution to Aotearoa in the later stages of their lives.
The award gives New Zealanders of all ages the opportunity to express their appreciation and admiration for the achievements of our senior New Zealanders over the past year.
Ko te toka Akiha he toka whitinga rā, ko te toka Māpuna, mā te ripo kau noa e kitea ai.