This online resource is to connect Kāi Tahu whānau with our tīpuna knowledge and practices relating to pregnancy, birthing, as well as the much needed support tools for whānau who have lost babies through miscarriage or still birth.

Kahutaiki Stirling-Boyles

Through my paternal whakapapa I am Waitaha, Ngāti Mamoe, Ngāi Tahu, Te Whānau-ā-Apanui, Ngāti Porou me Ngāti Whatua ō Kaipara.

Through my maternal whakapapa I am Ngāti Rangi ō Ruapehu, Te Ātihaunui-a-Pāpārangi, Ngā Rauru Kītahi, Ngāti Tuwharetoa ki Taupō, Ngāti Raukawa ki te Tonga me Ngāpuhi.

My husband is Ngāi Tahu aswell, and we are parents to six children.

I hope you enjoy the ‘oriori’ I composed for four of our children. I find great satisfaction in the process of writing these. I experience greater satisfaction when I can share this tāonga to empower Māori.

I runga i te rongomau.

Hōrano

Written by Kahutaiki Stirling-Boyles, presented by Kahutaiki Stirling-Boyles

Kupu:

Hōrano, te mātāmua
Hōrano, mīharo rawa

Rere ana te wai nā te Ariki Tapu, rere ana te ngākau ki tua o nga ngaru...

Hōrano, tēnei raukura
Hōrano, he anahera

E maumahara mātou i tō ataahua
E maumahara mātou i tō aroha…

Hōrano, te mātāmua, mīharo, mīharo rawa, tēnei raukura anahera.

Whakamārama / Explanation:

We named our first son, Jordaé Hamuera Stirling Boyles. He died in the second trimester, the cause was placental abruption. We had a funeral for him and we cremated him. His ashes lay at an important landmark to me near Ōreti Beach, Waihōpai. Hōrano is a transliteration of Jordan which is where the name we chose derives from. In Hebrew, the name means to descend.

In this oriori he is acknowledged as the firstborn. I felt extremely blessed to have had him. The river descends from the Holy One, Chief Creator. My heart longs and is with you beyond the waves. He is precious, he is an angel. We will remember you beautifully, we will remember the love you brought. Jordaé, firstborn, an immensely treasured blessing. A precious gift, an angel.

Download Hōrano Kupu