Ngai Tahu Shareholders

Nicola Rae Mehana (nee Walsh)

28 Feb 1964- 16 Oct 2008

Ngai Tahu have lost a treasure. Nicky died suddenly on the 16^th of October 2008 at the young age of 47. She was born with her twin sister, Robyn, on the 28^th of Feb 1964. Everyone who knew Nicky mourn her passing, particularly he husband, Hemi and her family. For the last fifteen years Nicky worked tirelessly for Ngai Tahu. Firstly as Sid Ashton’s PA, (the long serving Secretary of the Ngai Tahu Maori Trust Board) later the first CEO of Tront and secondly as PA to Mark Solomon the Kaiwhakahaere. In both roles she was simply outstanding.

I first got to know Nicky when I sat at the Tront table in the 90’s when she was Sid’s PA. These were heady times; so few resources and big, complex issues about the claim. Nicky seemed to do everything and effortlessly; booking flights and accommodation, minute taking, papers for meetings etc; she was in her element- she loved her work, with a passion.

As the minute taker she was extraordinarily accurate and concise in her recording; Ngai Tahu historians will rely on her notes – she had to interpret the views of eighteen representatives each with diverse views. She developed RSI – that did not stop her – she found a brace and carried on.

Nicky, in this position and others, never expressed political views she might have had, but as the minute taker her face was always expressive – eyebrows up “ is that what you really meant?”- eyebrows together “ not sure that’s right” – do not agree -(but I will record it), smile- that sounds sensible; – a truly non-political executive- the best. And humour and laughter was always there.

When Sid retired and Tahu Potiki became CEO, Nicky became PA to Mark Solomon. This was the beginning of turmoil for the new post settlement Ngai Tahu, where a cabal including Potiki and a number of Tront representatives (plus others who had previously held senior tribal positions) tried to wrest control of tribal resources.

This blog records much of what of what happened and the persons involved.  

The first visible move by this group was to remove Mark Solomon by way of vote of no confidence. Two weeks later there was an attempt to sack Terry Ryan, the longest serving employee of Ngai Tahu and Manager of the Whakapapa Unit; a “treasure” as Nicky expressed to me at the time. The whakapapa files were to be moved to the University of Canterbury [Whakapapa is the “glue” that binds us as Ngai Tahu]; precious- not to be to be deposited into an academic institution and then open to be made, essentially, public. – Nicky was outraged and distressed- “these people have no right or mandate” she said. This move was lost. But more was to come.

Yet clearly the second target of this cabal was the ousting of Mark Solomon.

The Kaiwhakahaere job is a mix of external and internal tribal representation and information and support is crucial if this representation is to be successful. Potiki starved Mark and Nicky of resources and information; media, research, legal advice etc. Potiki tried to ensure that Mark and Nicky were excluded- but the pair battled on, spirits unbroken.     

There is no doubt in my mind and expressed by others that this period had a detrimental effect on Nicky’s health.

The person who was her greatest supporter and love was her husband Hemi; they would have been married just three years this coming November. They were a wonderful couple; devoted to each other. Nicky was exuberant, lively. Hemi, dark, handsome, a listener who seldom speaks his mind but when he does he is very articulate and to the point- a future Ngai Tahu leader? At a Hui a Tau at Moeraki a couple of years ago, Potiki announced his retirement. At the open session Hemi delivered a scathing attack on the performance of the Office and Tront; he got the equivalent of a tribal standing ovation. Afterwards, Potiki’s wife, reproached Nicky about Hemi’s korero; it was only Hemi’s opinion. 

This was the only time I saw Nicky cry. She said: “Its so unfair–”

What Nicky was alluding to and explained to me later was her frustration about the destruction of NTDC and the consequent loss of employment for Ngai Tahu people, the arrogance of some Tront representatives ( many unelected) who thought they could unseat Mark and then control Ngai Tahu and the hypocrisy of Tront promoting tribal values but just providing lip service. She longed for the steady hand of Sid Ashton.

Latterly, when Anake took the position of CEO, Nicky was once again enjoying her job. She felt the tribe were back on track having been lost in those dark the years. Nicky was resolute that the mana of the tribe would only be restored with democratic elections that included all beneficiaries.

At Nicky’s tangi Mark read out an email sent by the Hon Whetu Tirikatane-Sullivan, to Mahana Walsh who mothered Nicky; Whetu could not be present at the tangi. Whetu expresses herself better than I can. In particular Whetu said:

“Nicky, a woman leader of Ngaitahu.

That she was!  And she neither tried hard, nor

aspired to be:  Nicky just WAS a woman leader of

Ngaitahu!”

In my view there can be no better or more fitting compliment to Nicky.

 “My dear Mahana

I feel so deeply for you, as a mother, believe me.

You mothered Nicky and her twin, Robyn, and you saw them

grow and develop into young women you could be

so proud of.

Nicky, I knew.   Mahana, she had a remarkable

and rare voice, like the voice of an angel – and

certainly, the best voice in karanga that I have ever

heard on any marae.   Since I've lived my entire life

on marae most weekends, and heard literally

thousands of women Karanga, I must say that

Nicky had that extra glory in her's.

Her waiata were always a joy to me: So  musical,

sweet, and the words sung with such clarity.

Melodic and robust, as the words dictated.

My dear Mark Solomon:   She added such lustre

when you had Nicky as you entered any marae, with

her magnificent karanga and waiata.

Oh, how I hope she was recorded.   I have no record

of my sister Rima's very similar voice.  We have

only one record of Rino's remarkable singing voice.

Do we have any of Nicky's?    If so, there is the

record for learners to listen to.

I saw a msg. about Nicky, a woman leader of Ngaitahu.

That she was!    And she neither tried hard, nor

aspired to be:  Nicky just WAS a woman leader of

Ngaitahu!    Humble, yet her very comportment was

that of a woman, who knew who she was, and whose

pride in her parents, and in her husband, was clearly

evident when she talked with me.

Even as my heart goes out to you both, and to Mark

whose trusty Executive Assistant she was, I believe

Nicky has been promoted to glory, as Jesus tells us

in the Gospel.    What a brilliant executive assistant

He will have gained – and one with the voice of an

angel.

Oku aroha ki a korua, ki a te whaea Mahana'

raua ko te Hoa-Rangatira o Nicky.

Naaku, na ta koutou pononga,

na

Hon. Whetu Tirikatene-Sullivan”