Matapura Ellison (Kāi Tahu, Kāti Māmoe, Waitaha, Irish, English) said he was ‘‘very humbled’’ to become upoko of Kāti Huirapa Rūnaka ki Puketeraki.
‘‘For me, it’s like an acknowledgement of work I’ve done for Puketeraki and wider community for a long time.’’
He had been involved in iwi politics for more than 20 years, including six years as kaiwhakahaere tuarua (deputy chairman) of Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu.
‘‘Now we’re back into a local focus and I was very honoured and humbled to be confirmed in the role,’’ he said.
‘‘It’s something which one might aspire to, but it is really totally at the behest of the people.’’
David had filled the role ‘‘very admirably for some considerable time’’, Mr Ellison said.
John Rangi Ellison, Mr Ellison’s father, had held the role in the 1990s.
As upoko, Mr Ellison was tasked with leading the mana of the hapū, being a guiding influence over tikanga matters at the marae and management of ‘‘our paepae, which is how we welcome people to the marae’’.
‘‘More generally, being a sounding board for those who want to use it on cultural matters and that includes a bit of an overlay of spiritual guidance as well.’’
Mr Ellison hoped to work ‘‘more in partnership with kaumātua (elders) in the spiritual and cultural life of the marae’’.
‘‘The role is very much a role of drawing on experiences - customary, cultural - and addressing concerns of our whānau in a modern context.
‘‘Drawing on those whatu, those threads from the past, what we can learn, what I’ve learnt from the past, and what that can be drawn into this modern context we live in today.’’
Mr Ellison’s appointment was first considered by Puketeraki kaumātua before being confirmed by the wider hapū.
