Talia Ellison

Talia is currently completing a Master of Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Otago. She will look at the impact that WWII, and the acquisition of ancestral land has had on Ngāti Puketapu ki Paraparaumu. The land was taken for the purposes of a war-time aerodrome, but became an airport and the land was never returned. The hapū identity is based on the grievance of land alienation and a lack of recognition of their mana by the Crown in its dealings with the airport. The main objective is to create an oriori, as a means of transmitting culturally significant knowledge, and reclaiming cultural identity.

Talia wanted to be involved in the Hau Kāinga project as a way of honouring her Puketapu tūpuna and reconnecting with her whānau in Paraparaumu. She is excited to be involved in the project and is really looking forward to working with Lachy, Angela and the other brilliant minds involved in this kaupapa.