Aukaha

02/06/2026

Aukaha Board Director Terry Nicholas has been recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours 2026, receiving a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) for his long-standing leadership across Murihiku, supporting Māori development, governance capability, and building opportunities for future generations.
“His work has strengthened community wellbeing, regional development, and pathways for rangatahi leadership and participation,” Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka said.
Kai ruka noa atu e te rakatira! A very well deserved recognition.

Hokonui Runanga Inc

https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/southern-kings-birthday-honours-2026

01/06/2026

We're seeking Taiari whānau to have input into the 10-year, non-regulatory Taiari Catchment Action Plan aimed at protecting and enhancing freshwater and biodiversity across the catchment.

Your feedback will help guide how we, together with partners and the community, care for the land, water, biodiversity, and cultural values of this beautiful area — now and for future generations. 💚
Take the survey now:
👉 orc.govt.nz/taiariicmsurvey

Survey takes around 5–10 minutes and closes end of 14 June.

26/05/2026

Aukaha’s cultural design integration team, Mana Ahurea, has been recognised with three major awards for its work embedding Kāi Tahu narratives, values and identity across design development in Ōtepoti Dunedin.

Mana whenua panelist Dr Megan Potiki (Te Rūnanga o Ōtākou), who wrote narratives for two of the award-winning projects, says cultural design integration plays a critical role in establishing both identity and understanding.

“It’s important that our mokopuna can see themselves, their stories and their culture reflected in the spaces around them so they, too, have a strong sense of belonging,” Dr Potiki says.

“It’s also important for the wider city to understand our shared history, both socially and environmentally, and these narratives, values and designs reflect that.”

Read our latest media release here ⬇️

Three golds for indigenous design in Ōtepoti Three gold awards for Aukaha's Mana Ahurea recognise the power of Kāi Tahu-led design in shaping the identity of Ōtepoti's built environment. Wednesday 27 May 2026 - Aukaha's cultural design integration team, Mana Ahurea, has been recognised with three...

18/05/2026

Ready to Rent Workshop - 10 & 11 June
Free 2-day workshop for whānau new to renting or in emergency/transitional housing.

🗓 10 & 11 June 2026
⏰ 10am–2:30pm

What do we cover?
📝Tenant Profile (Rental history, references, rental needs)
💵Budgeting
🔎Rental search, viewings and application
⚖ Rights and Responsibilities (Tenancy Services)
🏠Keeping your whare warm and dry
🎗MSD Support available

You'll get:
☑️Skills & confidence to secure a rental
☑️Certificate + cleaning pack
🍽 Kai included

Spaces are limited — register by 3 June by emailing [email protected]
Know someone who could benefit? Get in touch

13/05/2026

Applications close tomorrow (Friday 15 May) Karawhuia e te whānau!

🌿 Love working outdoors? Looking for mahi to tide you over till winter? 🌿

We’re on the lookout for two full-time Kaiaka Taiao (Rangers) to join the Aukaha team through to 30 June 2026, based in Dunedin.
These hands-on roles focus on conservation mahi across Otago, including:
✅ Pest plant control
✅ Native planting
✅ Supporting biodiversity and freshwater restoration projects

You’ll be part of a tight-knit team working alongside key partners such as Otago Regional Council, landowners, and DOC.
If you’re physically fit, enjoy working outdoors as part of a team, and are passionate about conservation and restoration, we’d love to hear from you.

🗓 Applications close Friday 15 May 2026 at 11:59pm
👉 For more information and to apply: https://aukaha.co.nz/work-with-us/
✉️ Any queries can be sent to [email protected]

05/05/2026

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04/05/2026

🌿 Love working outdoors? Looking for mahi to tide you over till winter? 🌿

We’re on the lookout for two full-time Kaiaka Taiao (Rangers) to join the Aukaha team through to 30 June 2026, based in Dunedin.
These hands-on roles focus on conservation mahi across Otago, including:
✅ Pest plant control
✅ Native planting
✅ Supporting biodiversity and freshwater restoration projects

You’ll be part of a tight-knit team working alongside key partners such as Otago Regional Council, landowners, and DOC.
If you’re physically fit, enjoy working outdoors as part of a team, and are passionate about conservation and restoration, we’d love to hear from you.

🗓 Applications close Friday 15 May 2026 at 11:59pm
👉 For more information and to apply: https://aukaha.co.nz/work-with-us/
✉️ Any queries can be sent to [email protected]

30/04/2026

Kaituna designs at Navy Park, South Dunedin, by Kāi Tahu artist Andre Te Hira.
Restoring Kāi Tahu names and narratives 👣💙

29/04/2026

Dunedin Airport is working with Te Rūnanga o Ōtākou to integrate Kāi Tahu narratives and values into the wider terminal enhancement project. Working with rūnaka-owned organisation Aukaha, those narratives have inspired the stunning cultural designs that now wrap around the refurbishment. These works draw on kaitiakiataka (guardianship) and whakapapa (genealogy). Read more here:
https://dunedinairport.co.nz/news/dunedin-airport-terminal-redevelopment-provenance

29/04/2026

Recently, mana whenua opened Aonui, the new Otago Regional Council headquarters, with a pre-dawn whakawātea – blessing and clearing the building so it can be ready for public use.

Underpinned by narratives and values from Te Rūnanga o Ōtākou, the cultural design of this building tells layered stories of people, place, and te ao tūroa – from the rhythms of tai timu, tai pari, the ebb and flow of the tides, to the Toitū awa that once ran openly through Ōtepoti, and the site of a taurakawaka, where Kāi Tahu tīpuna hauled up their waka to undertake their intergenerational cultural practices of mahika kai.

“It is significant for Kāi Tahu descendants to see their identity woven through the city and streetscapes, and heartwarming to see organisations like the Otago Regional Council embracing our narratives and values into the building design,” Te Rūnanga o Ōtākou Upoko Edward Ellison says.

A huge mihi to Te Rūnanga o Ōtākou for your guidance, trust and rakatirataka to embed your values and narratives into the design integration, and to the Otago Regional Council for embracing these values and narratives.
And to Kāi Tahu artists Ephraim Russell, Kate Stevens West, James York, Steve Solomon Down South Whakairo, Madison Kelly and Mya Morrison Middleton, he mihi nunui ki a koutou – the outcome is stunning.

🎥 Maxwell Productions

Te Rūnanga o Moeraki Kāti Huirapa Runaka ki Puketeraki Hokonui Runanga Inc Waihōpai Rūnaka Te Runaka o Awarua Ōraka-Aparima Rūnaka Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu