Moving kawe mate ceremony as Ara marks Matariki  

_{The whakaahua are installed as the kawe mate ceremony draws to a close}

Matariki offered a meaningful moment to honour three significant members of the Ara Institute of Canterbury community who have passed on but whose legacies endure.

In a moving kawe mate ceremony whakaahua (photographs) of the late Dame Aroha Reriti-Crofts (CBE), Dr Terry Ryan and Rachaelle Barclay were installed on the pae maumahara (wall of remembrance) in Te Puna Wānaka.

The event was drawn together under the guidance of Ara Kaumātua Poutama Matua Harry Westrupp, representing Te Puna Wānaka and the Māori Success Teams, who emphasised the importance of Matariki as a time for remembrance and reflection.

“Matariki is about recognising and celebrating people who have passed on and taking time to look back as we plan and prepare for the future,” he said. “The ones we are celebrating have contributed hugely to our staff, our students and our institution,” he said.

Mana whenua, Ara hapori Māori and whānau joined the kaupapa which was enriched by moving kōrero, waiata, and karakia - weaving together moments of grief and gratitude.

Following the welcome at Te Puna Wānaka, the kawe mate was opened by Te Taumata Tapu o Tuahiwii, with whaikōrero delivered by Manu Whata. Whānau and friends were invited to speak, and Ara kaimahi shared narratives honouring each individual.

_{Whānau gather before being welcomed into Te Puna Wānaka}

Tim Reriti shared memories of his mother, Ngāi Tahu Kahurangi (Dame) Aroha Reriti-Crofts, who had a strong and deep connection to Ara’s Manawa campus (health programmes).

Proudly wearing his pin as an associate of the Māori Women’s Welfare League which Dame Aroha led for many years, he shared how his mum “was a living and breathing testament to tino rangatiratanga.”

Elizabeth Cunningham and Annette Findlay also shared reflections on Dame Aroha’s tenure with Te Kawa Whakaruruhau, a cultural safety framework established at CPIT (now Ara), now recognised globally.

Reading the narrative accompanying Dame Aroha’s whakaahua, Operations Manager - Manawa Irene McEwen spoke of her vast contribution to the shaping of health education and nursing at Ara, describing her as “a leader from the start, and forever in our memories”.

Tributes were paid to Dr Terry Ryan for his enormous contribution to Ara through his close association with Rehua Marae, home to the first residential hostel for Māori Trade’s trainees in Ōtautahi.

“As a young recruit dating back to 1971 myself, I experienced and witnessed Terry’s meticulous, tireless and humble dedication to Māori Trades Training,” Harry Westrupp said. “He went on to provide steadfast support for the development of the Māori Department on our campus alongside Hōhua Tūtengāehe.”

Representatives from Tokona Te Raki, Hemi Inia and Ariana Te Whetu also spoke warmly of Dr Terry’s wide contributions noting the high regard he was held in among those connected with trades training.

The legacy of former Ara Kaiāwhina Māori Rachaelle Barclay was also acknowledged for its foundational impact on the Learning Advisor Māori team.

Manager of Ara Learning Services, Kevin Brennan, highlighted her commitment to connecting Learning Services with ākonga Māori, and her role in establishing whānau groups and the Tuakana-Teina mentoring programme.

Rachaelle’s husband Stephen Brinsdon, accompanied by their daughters expressed grateful thanks to Ara for honouring her. In turn, their presence was warmly acknowledged by Ruawhitu Pokaia who also gave karakia as all three whakaahua were installed.

_{The newly installed photographs of Dame Aroha Rereti-Crofts, Rachaelle Barclay and Dr Terry Ryan to the left of the pae maumahara}

Harry Westrupp said the placing of the whakaahua was planned and intentional - each one carefully positioned to be at home in the whare.

“A long-term goal is to document each of those remembered here in the Taonga Māori project, acknowledging their contributions to Ara across teaching, learning, advocacy and leadership,” he said.

While that is a wider aim, the inclusion of these treasured people in Te Puna Wānaka added greatly to the celebration of Matariki within the Ara community.