6 Aug 2012

Ngai Tahu branch formed in Queensland

6:45 am on 6 August 2012

Ngai Tahu says tribal members in Queensland have formed a branch, which will also help keep them abreast of issues back home.

The iwi says more than 1300 Ngai Tahu descendants registered on its database live in the metropolitan Brisbane area, and they suggested setting up a taurahere group.

Ngai Tahu chairperson Mark Solomon says a visit to Queensland at the end of last month gave him the chance to update iwi members about tribal initiatives and how they can be involved.

Mr Solomon says nearly 200 people turned up to the hui in Beenleigh, near Logan, and he told them what has happened over the past 12 month, and what is available to members - including the Ngai Tahu Whai Rawa savings scheme.

He says he also gave them information about the tribe's te reo strategy, Kotahi Mano Kaika, and invited more Ngai Tahu descendants to sign up and become part of the taurahere group.