Rā whānau
Dawn Kottier, Lyle Phillips, Marlene Kamo, Roy Tikao, Trevor Perry, Caine Tauwhare, Ngahina and Ngarangi Tauwhare, Joe Briggs, Hiwi Tauroa, Cody Laffey.
ANZAC commemorations Lest We Forget
Whānau Gallipoli on ANZAC morning.
Visiting South Africa
Donald and Dorothy Couch recently returned from a short trip to South Africa where they watched the Crusaders win one match and lose another. Their visit to Kruger National Park was more successful. They spotted many wild animals up close including four of the ‘big five’ – lions, elephants, cape buffalo and rhinoceros. The leopards stayed hidden but that was offset by sightings of giraffe, zebra, hippos, crocodiles, warthogs, wildebeest, baboons, hyena, badger, dozens of different birds and hundreds of various antelope and deer including impala, bushbuck, steenbok, kupspringer, bushbuck and kudu.
Nā Elaine Dell.
Donald Couch during his recent visit to Africa.
Environment Canterbury Commissioner
Environment Canterbury Commissioner Donald Couch has had his appointment extended for another three years. The commissioner’s main task is to implement the Canterbury Water Management Strategy.
Donald represents the commissioners on the zone committees for Banks Peninsula and Selwyn-Waihora. He is also on the co-governance committee for Te Waihora.
Portfolio responsibilities include: Ngāi Tahu relationships, biodiversity, natural hazards (including the 60+ River Protection Districts), navigation safety and the coastal environment.
A particular interest of Donald’s is the restoration of Ahuriri Lagoon, Motukarara.
Departures
Kia ora koutou,
By the time you read this we, (Elaine and Herewini ) will no longer be at the Te Hapū o Ngāti Wheke office. Over the past twelve-and-a-half or so years we have enjoyed being able to connect with the wider whānui and Papatipu Rūnanga members. Some of our highlights have been standing up to be counted at the foreshore and seabed hīkoi, the opening of the Te Papa Exhibition and attending Hui-ā-Tau at the different marae, where we have met some great people and seen some beautiful marae. And let’s not forget the opening of our own Wheke in 2010.
One of my enduring memories is arriving for the opening at Makaawhio, surrounded by mist and suddenly David Higgins and his Department of Conservation volunteers appeared as if by magic guiding us to a parking space. When Rūaumoko spat boulders out from Te Poho o Tamatea, we went through both good and bad. Homes were wiped out, there were scary aftershocks and Lyttelton was practically demolished. Then the good came out in everyone, as they came together as one under the shelter of our new marae, with help from across Aotearoa and Australia.
Special thanks to the Horomaka Rūnanga administrators for their help and support during this time, ngā mihi nunui ki a koutou. Lastly may we thank the Te Hapū o Ngāti Wheke Rūnanga for the opportunity to play a part in the affairs of Rāpaki; and to the Rāpaki whānau for their support throughout our time here, not all of which has been smooth sailing but I guess that comes with the territory.
Nā Elaine Dell and Herewini Banks.