| Matauranga Unit |
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BACKGROUND The Maatauranga Unit (previously known as the Whakapapa / Research / Archive Unit) was established in mid June 2005 to support the shared vision of the ‘Revitalisation of Ngaa Rauru Kiitahitanga’. The initial concerns that led to the Unit’s establishment were: 1. to support and improve upon the existing database of iwi members, and 2. to centralise and categorise the vast amount of iwi material that contributed to the ‘Settlement’ process. Since its establishment a number of other people & organisations in possession of Ngaa Rauru iwi relevant material have been identified. For example old video and tape recordings, manuscripts, and land information. The vision is to retrieve and duplicate as much of this type of material as possible and create a collection that may eventually be sourced by uki for uki. The Unit extends a warm invitation to anyone that wishes to contribute to this collection. CATALOGUING As at March 2006 we have almost 800 items on our Excel cataloguing system. Amongst these are maps, reports and other paper work contributing to the Treaty of Waitangi Claim, some land and tupuna information, DVD’s, waahi tapu, minutes, waiata, photographs, historic & contemporary papers. Access to most articles are open (at the Iwi Office), although personal information has certain restrictions. A search of key words is the general way of finding anything on the catalogue. Anyone interested in what is held in the office, together with the protocols of access, should contact the Unit directly. Be aware though that the system is very basic and improvements will be an ongoing task. CURRENT PROJECT At present the Unit is transferring whakapapa details from the iwi registration forms on to a ‘Family Tree Maker’. This is a big job; however eventually we should be able to see how everyone in the iwi inter-relates, in one way or another. FUTURE PROJECTS The Unit’s work is dependant on what uki want. Projects are then put up to Te Kaahui o Rauru who approve or otherwise. The Unit has put their own thinking around some possible future projects. These are: • Kaumaatua / uki interviews • Digitalisation of photographs held at marae or in private collections • Creation of an oral archive containing waiata, interviews, whaikoorero etc • Duplication and/or repatriation of visual & audio iwi relevant material held in archives/ museums/ universities/ territorial authorities/ the Maori Land Court/ private collections etc. |