For food lovers, check out the Kawhia Kai Fest. Saturday 5th February will begin with breakfast on offer at Maketu Marae and later a hangi from both the land and sea. There will be live bands, kapa haka groups, craft stalls, stone sculptures and Ta Moko. See you there!

You are all invited to come and meet Sisters in Art, Melissa & Natalie, and watchthem both paint and create. The exhibition is on from “Now Til Saturday", 10am - 5pm in A1 Homes, Tauranga (situated behind Chapel Street BP Service Station, entrance next to Placemakers). Entry is Free. This is an exhibition you don't want to miss!

For those interested in Kaupapa Maori Health Care Services (Nga Mataapuna Oranga) check out Te Manu Toroa, a collective of Maori Health, Social Services and Development Providers offering Health Care Services in the Western Bay of Plenty. Te Manu Toroa coverage extends from Bowentown, Katikati, rural Tauranga, central Tauranga, upper and lower Kaimai, upper and lower Papamoa, Welcome Bay, Mount Maunganui, Arataki, Matakana Island, Matapihi, Manoeka, Waitaha, parts of TePuke, Maketu, Pukehina, Otamarakau. For more information click on the link above or call 07 571 2026.

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We would like to highlight two innovative and enterprising websites – the first is Hana Limited – Hana seeks to promote Maori economic growth by promoting information and education. Offering different packages from Educational Tools (Video, Books) to animation assistance, this site contains a wide array of valuable resources.

The second is Ignite Studios. Ignite Studios is an interactive entertainment developer creating brand experiences for the PC, PlayStation formats, Xbox and Motion Picture mediums. With various technology and properties in development Ignite's aim is to eventually pioneer the transition of entertainment to virtual reality. Founded by Kingi Gilbert (Ngati Whakaue, Ngati Maniapoto, Ngati Rarua), Ignite Studios look to revolutionize the digital realm. Kia Kaha e Kingi.

Last issue, RANGIKAINGA highlighted the Urewera Claims before the Waitangi Tribunal and the dramatic re-enactment presented to the Crown upon entry over the Aukati line in Ruatoki. Since then, ACT MP Stephen Frank has raised questions about why Tuhoe Leader Tame Iti has not faced arms charges, after Iti was shown on the national news brandishing a shotgun and using it to fire into the New Zealand flag. Police have recently laid charges, and Tame Iti has been summoned to appear in the Whakatane District Court next Thursday. We will continue to follow this story as it progresses.

The central section of the coastal walkway in New Plymouth will be returned to Hapu Ngati Te Whiti – this whenua is significant to Ngati Te Whiti as it formed part of the Puke Ariki pa, built by Rangi Apiti Rua in the 1600’s.

This week saw the opening of Parliament for 2005, with Party leaders sharing their vision for the future – click on the link to take a look through them all, and if you feel so inclined, send your comments to us:

Here is a very basic page with a very simple message – trying to get Pakeha New Zealanders to organise themselves as a distinct Iwi-entity (actually, I saw comedian Radar say the same thing, wearing his ‘Ngati Pakeha’ t-shirt). What are your thoughts on this? Email us.

The World Indigenous Peoples Conference on Education 2005 (WIPCE) will be welcomed to Aotearoa-New Zealand this coming November. The Wananga o Aotearoa is pleased to host this world-renowned gathering of indigenous educators, researchers and students. The 2005 conference is an opportunity for honouring all previous hui (gatherings) it also creates an occasion for bringing visionary and innovative ideas that evoke inspiration and pride as indigenous peoples. The Official Welcome will be on Sunday 27th November, while the Conference will be held from Monday 28th to Thursday 1st December. The whanau at RANGIKAINGA will be providing regular updates on this significant Hui. The deadline for abstract submissions has been extended until 14 February 2005. For more information, visit the WIPCE homepage.

For those interested in Indigenous Knowledge there is a 4-day conference being held at Victoria University, Wellington, beginning 22 June 2005, called the Indigenous Knowledges Conference - Reconciling Academic Priorities with Indigenous Realities. Calls for papers and poster presentations have closed but there are still 15 free student conference places available. Applications close April 15, 2005. He Parekereke will award two prizes of $1,500 for the two most outstanding student essays. Entries close May 6, 2005.

If you are about to enter Tertiary Study, Te Ohu Kaimoana offer a wide range of Scholarship support. These include:

This Tenancy Services website is designed especially for students. It outlines tenant’s rights and responsibilities, and provides some good hints for first-time flatters. Great timing considering Universities, Polytechs and Wananga are set to be back in session soon.

In exciting news, female canoe crews will join the men on the water at the upcoming Waitangi Day celebrations. Women will make up a majority of the crew on Kahukura and Te Atakura, and they will join up with the fleet flanking Ngatoki Matawhaorua.

We’ve all seen the ads and the message is easy to understand – if you’re going to have sex, use a condom to avoid unwanted STD’s. Or like the Hooded One says “If you don’t use a Rubba, there’ll be no Hubba Hubba”.

For all you Waka Ama enthusiasts, get ready for the ‘Hinemoa & Tutanekai Couples Outrigger Canoe Race’ to be held down at Hannahs Bay Reserve, Lake Rotorua on the 12th of February. The next day sees the ‘Matakana Dash’, where rowers will have to make a quick dash across the harbour to the picturesque Matakana Island, pick up a flag from the beach and return to the mainland.

We have fielded many positive responses to our questions relating to traditional Maori sports, and we hope to be able to bring you some interesting & exciting new articles and websites soon. For now, here is a chat-group on Maori Weaponry, a very interesting forum on Intellectual Property Rights & Maori Ballgames and a profile on Tania Stanley, a ‘Pouwhitu Pro’.

And finally, Go the Chiefs!!