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 Hono i Te Rongo

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

Kupu:

I roto i te pō uriuri, i te pō tangotango. I rongo au i a koe. Aku moemoea, aku moemoea i a koe. Elshaddai Te Hono i Te Rongo Hohepa tō ingoa. Ki tō hoe, hoea, ki pāmamao hoea atu rā. Ki te timatanga, o te ao kātoa. Ki te Kaiwhakaora, o nga mea kātoa. Ki roto i tō ipu whakaairō e...i

Whakamārama / Explanation:

On the first snowfall of this year in Waihōpai. My little boy in the second trimester went to sleep forever. He was extremely peaceful in my womb. The following week labour was induced. He came gently into the world. In this lament my feelings post delivery are expressed. The emptiness, the tears in my dreams. But in the depth of this brief despair, I saw hope. My dreams became kinder to me. We named our son, Elshaddai, in Hebrew this means 'All Sufficient One'. In the pain we experienced great love and provisions from our community when we mourned. Spiritual activity of comfort to me and my whānau was prevalent during that time.

Pick up your paddle, row, row further to the beyond. To the beginning of all life. To the Lifegiver of all living beings. In your carrier that was beautifully designed for you.

(I made a clay container and drew decorative designs on it. Filled it with earth and placed Elshaddai's body and placenta in it. In the summer time we will bury him either by my Father. Or within my Mum's hapū, along the Whanganui River).

Download Te Hono i Te Rongo Kupu