Latest news with #Moeraki
Otago Daily Times
06-07-2025
- General
- Otago Daily Times
Chook Tree top of the pecking order
North Otago's Chook Tree has been crowned the winner of the Tree of the Year New Zealand competition. Photo: supplied The owners of North Otago's Chook Tree say it is "egg-cellent" to have been crowned the winner of a national competition. The tree in Waianakarua, north of Palmerston, was voted the winner of the Tree of the Year New Zealand competition by the public from among a pool of six finalists. "It sort of makes all that work and effort that we do every year rewarding," owner Johnny Rusbatch said. His wife Hayley said they were "honoured" to have been named the winner. "We keep saying it seems egg-cellent being named Tree of the Year." The 6.6m-tall chicken-shaped tree sculpture was created by local poultry farmers Norman and Evelyn Clarke after it was damaged in 1978 by a storm, its remnants resembling that of a giant hen. Mr Rusbatch said his parents bought the property and its distinctive macrocarpa tree — or "Big Chook", as he referred to it — from the Clarkes in 1991, which he since inherited about nine years ago. When they first bought it, his parents probably saw it as "a bit of a gimmick". "It was a great socialiser. "They'd bring friends down, and I know Dad had a lot of great mates that used to come down, and they'd have a few beers and trim the chook." Once he knew it was going to be a finalist in the competition, he had an arborist give the tree a few touch-ups — including a new beak and around its eyes. It usually had a trim once or twice a year, and in the past had been dressed up with lights during the rugby season. The Chook Tree also came with its very own "egg". "Everyone thinks it's a Moeraki boulder, but it's not. It's literally just a big, hollow plastered egg, really, he[Norm, a plasterer by trade] created that." When asked the fated question of which came first — the chicken or the egg — the pair agreed it was "technically the chicken". In a statement, the New Zealand Notable Trees Trust, which has run the annual competition since 2022, said the Chook Tree secured the win "by a comfortable margin". Trustee Brad Cadwallader said it garnered a total of 3000 votes, beating runner-up Canterbury's Rangiora Borough School Redwood with 1714 votes.
Otago Daily Times
30-04-2025
- General
- Otago Daily Times
Educational hub project gains funding
An ambitious project aimed at "transforming cultural capability" across Otago's education sector has been given $1.804 million over the next three years. The funding has been provided by the Otago Community Trust so that Otago's three Papatipu Rūnaka — Kāti Huirapa Rūnaka ki Puketeraki, Te Rūnaka o Ōtākou and Te Rūnaka o Moeraki — can join forces to establish an educational hub, Hono ki Tua. The hub would work holistically with early childhood, primary and secondary education providers, to enhance knowledge and understanding of the Kāi Tahu heritage and culture, specific to each rūnaka. It would deliver initiatives, including kapa haka training, marae-based school programmes and workshops for whānau and educators alike. It also aimed to ensure educational providers better understand rūnaka aspirations as mana whenua, while developing their local cultural knowledge and the specific context of the Treaty of Waitangi in the South Island. Hono ki Tua board member Dr Rachel Martin was delighted with the funding support. "The development of Hono ki Tua provides Kā rūnaka Ōtākou, Kāti Huirapa ki Puketeraki, and Moeraki with an innovative approach to form Te Tiriti o Waitangi-based outcomes within our respective takiwā [tribal territories]. "It's an exciting time and we are looking forward to working with the trust, whānau and education providers over the next three years." She was "deeply grateful" for the work done by the late Rua McCallum (Moeraki) who initially spearheaded the project, but died before she could see it come to fruition. "We are heartened that her legacy will live on through Hono ki Tua." Dr Martin said the project would benefit all students and teachers, foster a genuine sense of belonging, and help address some of the educational disadvantages faced by Māori. Word of the initiative has spread fast and principals across the Otago region are looking forward to using the resources. Warrington School principal Jeff Burrow said the support and guidance provided through local pūrākau, cultural wānaka and engagement with marae had enriched his pupils' understanding of their heritage and identity, and contributed to their overall wellbeing and achievement. "These connections are invaluable in helping us build a curriculum that reflects the histories and values of our region, fostering a deeper sense of belonging for all our learners. "As a school principal, I regularly seek advice and support from our local marae." St Clair School principal Jen Rodgers said the combined resources would be "immensely helpful". Through this comprehensive approach, Hono ki Tua aimed to create a more culturally inclusive educational environment and support the development of tamariki, rangatahi and their whānau, she said.
