I te taha o tōku Pāpā whāngai, No Ngāti Porou oku Tīpuna. I te taha o tōku Matua Ko Ngaati Koroki Kahukura tōku iwi. Ko Melissa Marie Barnett toku ingoa.
Melissa is Pou Takawaenga of Te Tauihu o te Waka a Māui and says she was motivated to take on the role because of “the healing attributes that kapa haka does for our people.”
In 2017 her tamariki stood for Te Pītau Whakarei and Tamariki Toa at Te Mana Kuratahi in Te Tairāwhiti which she was involved in as Matua Ahwi.
“Not realising at the time the healing it would bring within myself and whānau travelling back to Te Tairāwhiti then to the Waikato in 2019. It was a fluid few years navigating our whakapapa through the vehicle of kapa haka.”
In 2021 she accepted the role of Kaituitui Ahurea with Te Tauihu o te Waka a Maui Māori Culture Council & Nelson City Council with honour. The role was to help prepare for the National Kapa Haka competitions being hosted in the rohe over the following five years.
“A few bumps and hurdles outside of our control finally saw us host Te Mana Kuratahi in 2023, then 7 months later Ngā Kura Tuarua o Aotearoa 2024.”
The start of 2024 Melissa moved into the role of Pou Takawaenga as she felt she was ready for a change outside of operations.
“This role has allowed me to see the wheels that drive te ao kapa haka, what goes on beyond just the event side of things, and the tenacity and kaha of the people who are passionate about this kaupapa from all over the motu is something I feel grateful to be a part of.”
“Having always feeling safe and accepted in Te Tauihu, it is a privilege to serve the people of this rohe through the mahi that the regional development kaupapa provides.”
“I want to give a massive mihi to Te Tauihu o te Waka a Maui Māori Culture Council for trusting in me to serve your people over the past four years with many more years to come. You have all taught me so much as individuals and as a collective over that time.”
Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini.
She says her rohe superpower is ngā tangata whenua o Te Tauihu.
“Like most rohe around Aotearoa the fight for their whenua, tikanga and reo have been arduous lifetimes. Te Tauihu is no different. To see the mahi that has been done in this rohe before us to secure our culture into the future is something that inspires me every day within this mahi.”
Melissa is focused on the quality growth in all aspects of kapa haka, and ensuring Te Tauihu is equipped with the resources to sustain that growth.
“Kia hūkere te hoe is the phrase coined by the Cultural Council that implores us to lift our paddle in unison and work collectively to realise our goals and aspirations.” These are:
Strengthening the visibility and accessibility of te reo Māori me ōna tikanga
Showcase the unique kōrero tuku iho and histories of our region through participation in national and international events
Support, develop and increase participation in all levels and areas of kapa haka
Support, develop and increase skills and capabilities of tamariki and rangatahi
Develop processes and systems for quality and effective kapa haka event management
Contribute to the development of leaders within kapa haka communities
Supports localised curriculum education in schools
Supports local government agencies, business’s, schools to strengthen their relationship with local iwi
Photos: Top - Melissa (back row wearing the beanie) and crew at Ngā Kapa Haka Kura Tuarua with Ngā Tūmanako kaihaka 2024; Middle - Melissa; Bottom - Melissa with her daughter Charli and son Cooper at Te Mana Kuratahi, Waikato 2019.