Rāpaki - Te Hapū o Ngāti Wheke

28/05/2026

🎨✨ Hoki mai ki te marae mō te rā Mahi Toi Tamariki! ✨🎨

He rā ngahau, he mahi auaha mā ngā tamariki me te whānau katoa!

Come along for a fun-filled day of crafts, creativity, and connection at the marae. 🌈🖌️

Nau mai hoki mai, bring the tamariki, chill with the cousins, and bring your creativity!

Let’s make memories together at the marae!

📍Rākapi Marae Sunday 31 May 11am - 3pm

18/05/2026

Kia ora e te whānau Te Kapa Haka o Ngāti Wheke have been practising hard to support Waitaha Matatū, Kapa Haka Regional Competition this coming weekend at the Wolfbrook Arena.
Make sure you get your tickets to enjoy a full day of Haka. Please see the attached wātaka for details.

16/04/2026

25/03/2026

FINAL MAUNGA – TE AHU PĀTIKI

We’ve made it to our final maunga for 5Maunga 5Weeks.

If you’ve been thinking about joining a hīkoi, you’d be really welcome to come along. It’s not too late to be part of it.

We’ll begin with karakia, then make our way up the maunga together. It’s roughly a 2-hour climb, we’ll stop at the top for about 20 minutes for kai, then head back down for hākari. Walkers will be given a small packed lunch.

To help us manage ferry numbers, please fill out the registration form below.
Just tick the ferry times that suit you.

https://forms.gle/cR6MVCUXgH37N8q69

WALKERS (HĪKOI CREW)
If you’ve been watching from the outside or thinking about giving it a go, we’d love to have you with us for this last one.

You’ll need to be on the first ferry.

▪️8.15am – Ferry departs Lyttelton
Please arrive by 8.00am latest (boarding starts earlier)
▪️If driving: Please be at Diamond Harbour Wharf by 8.30am
▪️8.45am – Hīkoi starts

SUPPORTING WHĀNAU (FOR HĀKARI + MIHI)
Whānau have really carried this kaupapa. We’ve felt the support from those on the maunga and those at home.

If you haven’t made it to a hīkoi yet, this could be a nice chance to come over, bring your whānau, and join us for kai. It’s a chance to acknowledge everyone who’s taken part over the last five weeks.

▪️11.15am – Ferry departs Lyttelton
Please arrive by 11.00am latest
▪️If driving:
Please be at Diamond Harbour by 12.30pm

12.45pm – Walkers return
1.00pm – Hākari and mihi

RETURN FERRIES
2.30pm and 2.45pm – Depart Diamond Harbour
These are the booked sailings, so please make sure you’re ready for them

KAIĀRAHI – CRAIG PAULING
We’re grateful to have Craig leading our final hīkoi. Craig is mana whenua in Te Pātaka o Rākaihautū, with a deep connection to the whenua and the Peninsula.
He knows the maunga, the stories, and the people, and will guide us through the day.

IMPORTANT
▪️Ferry times are set and can’t be delayed
▪️Please arrive early
▪️Bring warm layers, good walking shoes, and plenty of water

Let's finish this journey strong, e te whānau!
Kia tū, kia pakari, kia toa!

19/03/2026

This Sunday, we’re heading to Wairewa to hīkoi up Te Ukura!

8.15am – Arrive & Sign In
Please meet at Awa-iti Domain from 8.15am for a safety briefing, sign in, and to collect your packed lunch.

9.00am – Depart in shared cars
We’ll be leaving at 9am sharp in shared vehicles. Carpooling is essential as parking is limited.

9.30am – Hīkoi Begins
We’ll arrive at the hilltop and begin the hīkoi together.

The walk will take approximately 3 hours return, including our kai at the top of the maunga. No dogs are permitted.

What to bring:
▪️Water
▪️Sunblock & sunhat (the top is exposed)
▪️Good walking shoes – there are a couple of rocky outcrops to navigate, so sturdy footwear is essential

As always, take your time, support one another, and enjoy being out on the maunga together.

See you Sunday!
Kia tū, kia pakari, kia toa!

14/03/2026

Update: Rāhui in place for shellfish gathering Whakaraupō and Koukourarata

Kia ora e te whānau,
Following our earlier advisory, Rāpaki Tangata Tiaki are now advising that a rāhui is in place over the gathering and consumption of shellfish along the rohe moana o Ngāti Wheke, from Sumner through Whakaraupō and Koukourarata rohe moana.
This decision follows the public health warning from New Zealand Food Safety (MPI) regarding paralytic shellfish toxins in the area, and after discussions with neighbouring kaitiaki. Koukourārata Tangata Tiaki have placed a rāhui in their area in response to the algal bloom affecting the region.
The rāhui is being put in place as a precaution to protect the health of our whānau and the mauri of our moana. It will remain in place until testing confirms that the threat to public health has passed.
During this time, customary permits for shellfish will not be issued.
Shellfish affected include mussels, oysters, p**i, tuatua, cockles, scallops, kina, and cat’s eyes (Cook’s turban). Cooking does not remove the toxin.
Pāua, crab and crayfish may still be eaten only if the gut is completely removed before cooking. Finfish are not affected, but it is recommended to gut the fish and discard the liver before cooking.
More information on the public health warning can be found here:
https://www.mpi.govt.nz/news/media-releases/shellfish-biotoxin-warning-for-canterbury
Please continue to share this message with whānau and others who gather kaimoana in our area.
Ngā mihi
Rāpaki Tangata Tiaki

New Zealand Food Safety is advising the public not to collect or consume shellfish gathered from the northern side of Banks Peninsula due to the risk of paralytic shellfish toxins causing illness, says New Zealand Food Safety deputy director general Vincent Arbuckle. The warning extends from New Bri...

13/03/2026

Kia ora e te whānau,

Rāpaki Tangata Tiaki are advising whānau not to gather or eat shellfish from the northern side of Banks Peninsula, from New Brighton through to the northern side of Hickory Bay, until further notice. This includes the rohe moana o Ngāti Wheke, from Sumner through to Whakaraupō.

This follows a public health warning from New Zealand Food Safety (MPI) after very high levels of paralytic shellfish toxin–producing algae were detected in the area, including a visible bloom at the head of Port Levy.

These toxins can build up in shellfish and can make people very sick if eaten. Cooking does not remove the toxin.

You can read the official public health warning here:
https://www.mpi.govt.nz/news/media-releases/shellfish-biotoxin-warning-for-canterbury
Shellfish affected include mussels, oysters, p**i, tuatua, cockles, scallops, kina, and cat’s eyes (Cook’s turban).

Symptoms of paralytic shellfish poisoning can appear within 10 minutes to 3 hours and may include tingling around the mouth, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, or difficulty breathing.

Pāua, crab and crayfish may still be eaten only if the gut is completely removed before cooking. Finfish are not affected, but it is recommended to gut the fish and discard the liver before cooking.

If anyone becomes unwell after eating shellfish, please contact Healthline on 0800 61 11 16 or seek medical help.

Tangata Tiaki will continue to monitor the situation and will let whānau know when it is safe again.

Please share this message with whānau and others who gather kaimoana in our area.

Ngā mihi nui
Rāpaki Tangata Tiaki

New Zealand Food Safety is advising the public not to collect or consume shellfish gathered from the northern side of Banks Peninsula due to the risk of paralytic shellfish toxins causing illness, says New Zealand Food Safety deputy director general Vincent Arbuckle. The warning extends from New Bri...

02/03/2026

Nothing like a game of touch to bring the whānau back together
Massive season for our Rāpaki crew this year, finishing 3rd in the mixed division. Although the win is nice the real win is the laughs, sideline yarns, and time spent together.

Proud of this rōpū and the kaupapa behind it