Otama

The place of Tamateapokaiwhenua (Otama, not so far from Gore) was where I spent today along with dozens of students from schools around Southland that run Enviroschools programmes, all gathered for a hui.

It was hot. The school is rural and huge farm machines lumbered along the adjacent gravel road the whole time we were there. I met Bart from Otepoti Urban Organics and talked local food production, Tracy, mayor of Gore who told me about his progress through local body politics to where he is now and the kaiako Maori at Otama school who talked about her role in the school and her whakapapa which flows from Ngai Tahu, Ngati Kahungunu and Ngati Tuhoe! 

To get there, I shared a car with Maurice from Southland Fish & Game Council, from whom I learned a lot about aquifers and water conservation orders. Returning home I travelled with Michael from Te Ao Marama who told me all about Ngai Tahu's concerns and involvements and the role of Te Ao Marama and Te Ropu Taiao and a number of other very interesting things.
It was a good day.