E Tū Whānau announces inaugural Ann Dysart Kahukura Award

The E Tū Whānau Ann Dysart Kahukura Award recognises outstanding grassroots leadership working collectively over the long-term to unite whānau and transform communities.

The award remembers Ann Dysart (Te Rarawa) for her ground-breaking work to establish E Tū Whānau.

E Tū Whānau described Ann as "...an ethical and visionary public servant who worked relentlessly to give Māori, and whānau of all ethnicities, real power to influence decisions affecting them and their communities." In recent years she was known for leading E Tū Whānau. Ann Dysart passed away on 28 January 2021.

E Tū Whānau describes Kahukura as "...the people who inspire change in whānau and communities, including iwi leaders, rangatahi, strong wāhine and many others.

E Tū Whānau Kahukura emerge naturally in whānau, hapū, iwi and communities as people who support, encourage and strengthen whānau by modelling values, behaviours and actions that are the positive ‘footprints’ that can be followed."

E Tū Whānau also writes that Kahukura:

• "actively create environments in which whānau are strong, safe and prosperous
• model the six E Tū Whānau values in their personal lives, as well as within their own whānau, marae and / or communities
• provide leadership to the people and groups around them
• recognise and support other leaders emerging across Aotearoa."

The Kahukura name was identified in 2011 by a group of kaumātua including Ann Dysart at the Iwi Leaders’ Forum in Waitangi to describe the leaders of change within whānau, hapū and iwi.

E Tū Whānau explains the significance of Kahukura:

"The origin of the term lies in the story of the Kuaka (Bar-tailed Godwit). When they fly into Aotearoa for the summer, they arrive in a swirling mass. Within that mass are small groups that each have a leader whose role is to cleave the air and provide the initial lift for those in their flock who are following. That lead bird, the Kahukura, provides the impetus for movement and change – as they move, they gather their group around them and, in doing so, other leaders emerge."

Learn more from Eugene Ryder about the kahukura model of leadership or watch this brief video.

Waitomo Papakāinga Development Society won the 2022 E Tū Whānau Ann Dysart Kahukura Award. Highlighting Waitomo Papakāinga, E Tū Whānau said:

"Kaitāia Social Service agency, Waitomo Papakāinga Development Society, is a trailblazer. Steeped in whanaungatanga and guided by the principles of tika, pono and aroha its kaimahi have, for the last 30 years, used a Te Ao Māori approach to meeting the diverse needs of their hapori. The E Tū Whānau kaupapa and values are woven into the fabric of what they do. They reverberate through all of their mahi, exemplifying Te mana kaha o te whānau! The power and strength of the whānau!"

In addition, 10 other individuals and organisations were finalists for the 2022 E Tū Whānau Ann Dysart Kahukura Award:

• Ngā Iwi o Mokai Patea Services Trust
• Te Hau Āwhiowhio ō Otangarei Trust
• Aliya Danzeisen
• Hauraki Whānau
• Ngā Pakiaka
• Kōkiri Marae
• Eugene Ryder
• Waitaki Multicultural Council
• Te Reo Irirangi o Te Upoko o Te Ika
• Aotearoa Latin American Community

E Tū Whānau Kaiwhakahaere, Heni Turner said “E Tū Whānau has worked alongside each and every one of these extraordinary kahukura for years.” And she also said:

“They are visionaries. Through their determination and belief in the strength and power of whānau within their communities, they have changed and enriched people’s lives.”

Watch a recording of the award ceremony for the 2022 E Tū Whānau Ann Dysart Kahukura Award.

Related news

The winning films from the E Tū Whānau Rangatahi Film Awards have been announced including:

• Filmmaker of the Year: Heriata Rurehe
• Best Edit: 'The Hunt' - Dir. Ngareta Rivers-Ingram
• Best use of Theme: 'Tohu' - Dir. Tohu Productions
• Best Performance: Table Tennis Menace - Dir. Te Kani Porter
• Best Drama: Supernatural Scenario - Dir. Caden Awhitu
• Best Documentary: The Movie - Dir. Heriata Rurehe.

The films were screened at the 2022 Māoriland Rangatahi Film Festival. You can watch these short films on the Ngā Pakiaka YouTube Channel. Ngā Pakiaka is a group of rangatahi filmmakers aged 14 – 24.

Related media

Twin Harmony recognised for mahi to end family violence, Te Ao Māori News, 16.07.2022

Heni Turner | Lead Advisor at E Tū Whānau Community Investment, Waatea News, 15.07.2022