Kāi Tahu whānau, tēnā koutou, kai te mihi atu ki a koutou.
Kā mate
Tihau Keith (December 2012)
Dennis William Rakena (January 2013). Ka nui te mihi aroha to our Rāpaki whānau. A big thank you to everyone, especially our Uncle Tog and Auntie Hine Couch whānau, your awhi and tautoko prior to, during and following brother Tub’s poroporoaki was awesome. You were so generous in both words and deeds, and I can’t thank you enough, true whanaungatanga in action, love you all. Nā Elaine Dell on behalf of the Rakena whānau.
Rā whānau
February birthdays: Tahu Rakena, Lynne Veal, Ngahuia Anderson, Areta Waipapa, Marilyn Shirt, Riki Pitama, Ron Dell, David Banks, Dorothy Couch, Puawai Swindells, Luana Houghton, Rewi Couch, and John Couch.
New Year Honours for our Ngāi Tahu leaders
Congratulations to Ngāi Tūāhuriri upoko Henare Rakiihia Tau, honoured for his services to Māori by being made an officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit. Also congratulations to Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu Kaiwhakahaere Mark Solomon who was awarded a knighthood, Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to Māori and business.
Opening of Maahunui II, Tuahiwi
Rāpaki along with other hapū from the motu attended the opening of Maahunui II and enjoyed a great occasion.
Rāpaki kapa haka.
Christmas party
Our Christmas party was held after our final rūnanga meeting last year. Everyone who came enjoyed a dinner of roast pork, roast chicken, ham on the bone, peas, mashed potato and salad. For dessert trifle, jelly, ice cream, ambrosia, chocolate éclairs, and lamingtons. Mother Christmas came for a visit to the delight of some very excited and lively moko. Thanks to our dedicated kaimahi and Aunty Ata.
Gail Gordon and Huia Guthrie.
Mother Christmas Hui Guthrie with ngā tamariki.
Whānau news – update from around the pā
Rei Couch recently came back to Rāpaki from Australia it was good see her in the marae kitchen, where she feels most at home. Rei has now settled down towards Ashburton. Aunty Maata Wilson also came and visited Rāpaki from Australia with her brother Joe who came from Tauranga. Luana Houghton was spotted walking along Governors Bay Road, mother Christina Huia Guthrie was back from Australia holidaying with her whānau in Rāpaki.
Melville Rehu says he is going back to work (how many times we’ve heard that one) we’ll have to wait and see. His sisters Susie Amoamo and Weihana Amoamo spent a couple of weeks in Rāpaki too. Skinny (Manaia) Rehu is recuperating from his hip surgery.
Congratulations, and all best wishes to Mihiroa Whitney Gillies (daughter of Becky and Matea Gillies) who married her man Geordie at Rāpaki Marae on Friday 4 January.
Lastly, local kunikuni pig Rosie had babies, much to the delight of Yvette Couch-Lewis, and they are thriving.
Walking in the footsteps of their tūpuna
Descendants of the George and Hinerua Riwai-Couch celebrated Christmas, Uncle Doug’s 80th and whānau time together on the marae in December.
Douglas Falcon Herewini Couch, is the fourth son of the late George (Togey) and Hinerua Riwai-Couch born and raised in Rāpaki but now living in Cashmere. He came back to Rāpaki in December with his immediate whānau to mark the occasion of his 80th birthday. His extended whānau and friends joined him on the day for some relaxed social chit chat and refreshments followed by a barbecue hākari, which included birthday cake, a couple of speeches and presents.
Pā barbecue
What to do when the summer temperatures keep hovering around the late 20’s? Some Rāpaki locals packed up a few essentials like togs, sunnies, refreshments (kai), hearing aids and headed for the lawn area in front of Eileen and Tony’s front yard. This happens to be conveniently situated close to the beach. A swim, a few beers, bit of bikini spotting, some kai, observing beach traffic, kōrero – what more could one ask for?
Iwi Chairs Forum
In the first week of December Mark Solomon brought the Iwi Chairs Forum to Rāpaki for the first time. It was a really big turnout and once again a big thank you to everyone for making it a successful day.
Iwi Chair’s Forum, Rāpaki 2012.
Tōtara forest – summer maintenance
Thanks to the PD workers a fire break is now in place to protect our trees on the reserve.
Back to school
Rāpaki tamariki, rakatahi, mokopuna mā, enjoy your school days, make the most of every learning opportunity that comes your way.
Confirmation of Rūnanga Appointment Committee
Te Hapū o Ngāti Wheke Rūnanga Executive would like to confirm the following appointments of members to the Rūnanga Appointment Committee charged with appointing the Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu Rūnanga Representative and Alternate Representative in accordance with clause 16(2)(c) of the Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu Act 1996. The members of the Te Hapū o Ngāti Wheke Appointment Committee are;
Donald Couch, Matea Gillies, Wene Hepi, Te Whe Phillips and Herena Stone.
As Tumuaki of Te Hapū o Ngāti Wheke, I wish to congratulate the members of the Appointment Committee and look forward to them completing the process of appointing the Rūnanga Representative and Alternate Representative.
Ngā mihi, Kopa Lee.
Rāpaki slipway
Not sure where our younger fitter Rāpaki men were when our friends from Lyttelton came out to help overhaul the slipway, but Uncle Hori was there, and he was only too keen to test drive everyone’s handy work.
Uncle Hori trying out the slipway.
Rāpaki Marae bookings
Staff arrived back on 21 January after a nice long four week break just in time to welcome a group from the Department of Corrections. Bookings for this year are continuing to come in.
Please note, we are working with our insurer to complete outstanding earthquake repairs to our new building. We apologise in advance if we cannot accommodate you for the dates you request.
Whānau keeping in touch
Please note, 49 email addresses from our distribution list were undeliverable, can you please update your details.