Rā whānau
Amos Kamo, Bill Phillips, Mark Phillips, Philip Pohio, Kalani Hepi, Paora Tau, Judith Nowatarski, Maddison Couch, Gavin Couch, Ngarangi Henare Hutana-Waitoa, Marcus Amai, Donald Couch, Phillip Rakena, Ashley Warnes, Kenny Rakena, Lisa Corles, Areta Wilkinson, Sian Kamo and Kopa Lee. To all others of our whānau with birthdays this month, enjoy your day and all the best for the year ahead.
Kaumātua Joe Briggs was in to say hello, he was visiting Rāpaki briefly en route to Queenstown.
Board of Te Poho o Tamatea Ltd
Congratulations to Gail Gordon who has been re-appointed as a director for another term and welcome to new director David Tikao.
Education grants
Congratulations to this year’s papatipu rūnaka scholarship recipient Rebecca Gordon and also to Raukura Amoamo who was awarded a grant to help with her studies.
Cantabrian boxer
In October, Christian Tikao finished second in the elite 60kg division at the 110th New Zealand Boxing Amateur Campionship in Auckland. More than 180 amateur men and women were competing for national titles in their respective weight and age categories. Christian is the current Canterbury and Southland Island champion. Christian recently won against the more experienced Matthew Savage 31-29 points at the Southland Championships (Savage was a previous three-time New Zealand title holder).
Somehow Christian manages to squeeze in training and study. He is aiming to complete his automotive machining apprenticeship at the end of this year.
“I train intensely during any spare time that I’ve got. I go for a run, do abdominal exercises and weights in the morning before work and then do a range of training techniques most nights and in the weekends.”
One of Christian’s biggest supporters is his dad, Roy Tikao, who was at the ring side cheering him along.
Timaru Boxing Association president Graham Ellery said Christian showed the talent his association needed to invest in. “Christian did us proud. With youth on his side, the experience will set him up to achieve the ultimate in the future.”
Christian Tikao in training. Photo by Tetsuro Mitomo. Source: Ashburton Guardian.
Lyttelton West School Reunion
On Sunday 21 October, Lyttelton West School celebrated 125 years of existence, with some stories here at the Rāpaki School from the more mature former pupils. Most former pupils didn’t appear to move far from home, with one each from Wellington, Wanganui, Reefton and Kaiapoi, and three from Amberley Beach; the rest were from Christchurch.
At 1pm the former pupils were welcomed into Lyttelton West School for several speeches, the ceremonial ringing of the bell, cutting of a reunion cake, afternoon tea and class photos. A spit roast dinner was held at the Ferrymead Golf Club followed by entertainment. The Phillips, Couch, Rakena and Harden whānau from Rāpaki attended the reunion.
Emergency resources
After a visit from Kim Manahi, our kaumātua were given an emergency preparedness manual and an emergency torch from He Oranga Pounamu. One simple suggestion around preparedness was marking households where wheelchair bound people live to help first responders. It was suggested that a sticker or sign, similar to those used at wheelchair accessible toilets, could be put on their letterboxes to show first responders the type of help that may be needed.
Matea Gillies planting Ōmaru Stream.
Project Ōmaru Stream restoration – planting day
On Friday 2 November more planting of the Ōmaru Stream took place. Matea and Becky Gillies cleared and sprayed the area in advance. Ongoing spraying maintenance will be carried out by Becky Gillies. Environment Canterbury staff and locals helped plant 530 native trees, shrubs and plants. Barry Brailsford sourced the plants from various nurseries. The planting was followed by a BBQ. Feeling replete, the workers were then taken on a walk and given a potted history of Rāpaki by Rewi Couch. The next part of the stream restoration will be the section up to the Woolshed.
Whānau planting at Ōmaru stream.
Storm damage
Thanks to Donny Warnes and his assistant, our trees behind the School House that were damaged in the last big storm have been attended to. A large pine that was threatening to bowl the shed over has been cut down and all the broken limbs on the macrocarpa trees removed creating a lovely view out towards Gebbies Pass.
Donny Warnes up the tree clearing storm damage.