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

My name is 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.

I am married to Hamuera Boyles (Waitaha, Ngāti Mamoe, Ngāti Kuri, Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Koata, Ngāti Toa Rangatira). We are devoted parents to six children.

We are actively involved in supporting people with disabilities and medical needs.

I’m currently studying Speech & Language Therapy. I also want to harness my love of music and become a Māori Language Gospel Singer. While exploring that I want to add Music Therapist to my portfolio.

Languages have been the bedrock of my development into adulthood. My lifelong language pursuits are te mita o Te Kāhui Maunga, Ōlelo Hawaii, NZ Sign Language, and Biblical Hebrew.

I am a dancer and have been dancing since I was 5 years old. My genres of choice through my years of dance include Auana, Ballroom, Contemporary, Dance Fitness, Hip Hop, Kapa Haka, Kahiko, Ura, and Lindy Hop.

I hope you enjoy the ‘Oriori’ I composed for 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,

Te Ara Pounamu

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

Kupu:

Ahavah Te Ara Pounamu Lillian tō ingoa. Nā Ihoa i tākoha mai. Tēnei tāonga kia mātou. Harerūia, harerūia. Tēnei tāonga tāpu e. Harerūia, harerūia. Ahavah harerūia.

Whakamārama / Explanation:

After the loss of Jordaé it took a while to recover. I had sustained Post Natal Depression. The fear and deep desire to have a baby born alive weigh heavy on my mind. My son died December 6th 2016. On the day son was meant to be born (17th June 2017). My daughter came to me in a dream. She was a newborn and she told me 'I'm not him, don't judge me, just love'. I woke from the dream and I drenched the bed with sweat. My body gave birth to Jordaé. My body released his memory so that Ahavah could come. Ahavah is Hebrew and means love. My precious Tama-Ariki daughter was born the following year in 2018.

Her celebratory oriori is a victory song. In it I address her full name. I am praising my Creator, singing harerūia. She is a gift, a sacred gift. I end the song with her name Ahavah and with harerūia which in Hebrew means Praise Yah.

Download Te Ara Pounamu Kupu