Manahi Paewai takes on new
Several months ago, without a lot of public fuss, respected local kauma¯ tua Manahi Paewai retired from 28 years of teaching and took on a new role as cultural adviser to the Rangitane iwi.
For more than a decade Manahi has been fulfilling this cultural adviser role as one of Rangitane’s most respected kauma¯ tua but part-time while holding down a full teaching position at Te Kura Kaupapa Ma¯ ori O Tamaki Nui a Rua.
His role in Ma¯ oridom, even part-time, was indeed significant, significant enough for him to receive the New Zealand Order of Merit for Services to Ma¯ ori (MNZM) announced in the 2015 Queen’s Birthday honours.
Manahi was recognised for his efforts helping to set up Te Runanganui o Rangitane and
Rangitane o Tamaki Nui a Rua, subsequently leading the claim for the latter before the Waitangi Tribunal.
Now with his retirement from teaching Manahi can work fulltime as a cultural and political adviser with Mike Kawana of Masterton.
Manahi was raised by his parents out at Kaitoki and both played an important role — especially his mum (dad died
when he was young) — instilling the culture and language so he was fluent in Ma¯ ori by the time he went as a boarder to Te Aute College. There the school continued to instil Ma¯ ori values as well as providing a good education and rugby skills.
After “testing out the world” in Hastings, Manahi went back to Dannevirke and became a shearer. It was a 20 year career, halted when he answered a call to train as a teacher of te reo in 1989. Several years at Awatapu College followed by eight years at Te Aute. Manahi moved in 2000 to join the local Te Kura o Tamaki Nui a Rua to start a new secondary department.
After 19 years he retired on July 5.
“It was time to move over and give the younger ones a go,” he said but on the day of farewells he admitted he “never wanted it to end”.
During the day the students of the school honoured Manahi, class by class. During the evening past pupils and teachers honoured Manahi one by one. Manahi said he was overwhelmed.
Speaking last week principal Brian Paewai said Manahi’s contribution to the school is enormous. In terms of the school he said. “Manahi set the foundation stones rock solid leaving values and an imprint which will never be lost.”
Now Manahi is in his new role:
partly promoting te reo and all its cultural aspects like a recent te reo workshop in Masterton educating 50 youngsters on the history of Rangitane,
partly fulfilling social and cultural support roles with iwi members,
partly carrying out ceremonial functions like the Blessing for the Induction of the new Tararua District councillors and
partly advising on issues like Te Ahu a Turanga — ManawatuTararua Highway.
While Manahi says he misses the students, he is finding his new roles both interesting and satisfying.