Hui Kaikōkiri 2022
Reflecting on the hui
The annual Hui Kaikōkiri is a highlight on the Te Kāwai Toro calendar. Each year, the inspiring rōpū (groups) that we are privileged to work with come together to share their journey, forge and maintain connections, and learn from each another.
This year’s Hui Kaikōkiri took place in February after plans to host the Hui in November 2021 were postponed as Delta spread across Aotearoa. Then Omicron reared its head in our communities.
The decision was made to move the hui to an online platform to ensure safety for all. Equally important was the need to retain the same sense of magic that happens in the room when these inspiring groups come together in person.
To maintain the interest of the participants from the beginning to the end of the Hui Topa (Zoom). A maximum of 2½ hours per day over two days was planned, and we are extremely grateful to Kahiwa Sebire for the digital expertise and guidance, and Kate Cherrington for facilitating the hui in a gentle and tikanga Māori way.
The kaikōkiri presentations took place in smaller break out groups of three, with four rōpū per break out room. This led to more opportunities to connect with each other. Members of J R McKenzie Trust Board, staff and kaitautoko (support), like Louise Were (Evaluator of the process), Tori Levy (Mana Communications) were also spread throughout the rooms to listen. Connecting the Doers with the Donors’.
A mix of existing and new kaikōkiri in attendance meant there were both familiar and new faces. Time was factored in for kai, and downtime outside of activities and presentations to allow the flow of kōrero to be had.
In previous years, one or two kaikōkiri were invited to speak of their new and innovative ways of financial sustainability, or working on urgent challenges that affect us all, like climate change.
Ngā ingoa
Runga: Louise Were | Marama Tākao | Robyn Scott | Kate Cherrington |Kahiwa Sebire | Jerry Norman | Pera Barrett | Te Pūoho Katene
Waenga: Madeleine de Young | Aria Kapa, Jasonbob Egdell Rōpata, Ōriwa Hakaraia | Nikki Walden | Michael Rewi | Chelsea Grootveld | Joan Smith | Zoe Hawke
Raro: Mike Smith | Hinekaa Mako | Erena Kara | Mateawa Keelan | Tori Levy | Rāmari Te Uamairangi |Kahuroa Brown | Daryn Te Uamairangi | Melissa Campbell
This year, we were honoured to have Te Pūoho Katene – Executive Director/Kaihautū, Pūtea Whakatupu Trust, provide an exhilarating presentation on Kūmara Economics. Several kaikōkiri had expressed an interest in exploring additional/alternative income streams to ultimately continue their kaupapa working alongside their whānau, hapū, iwi, hapori, and ngāi Māori. The presentation Te Pūoho provided at the Hui was the perfect motivation to begin a bigger conversation together with ngā kaikōkiri.
While we certainly missed the value of kanohi-ki-te-kanohi (face to face) interaction, we are so very, very thankful to ngā kaikōkiri for making time to share their stories of success and hope, to ngā kaiāwhina who contributed to a seamless and enjoyable hui, to Te Pūoho who motivated us to learn more, and to our Trustees who believed and trusted. The ‘magic’ shone through.