Rā whānau
Happy 80th birthday Ila Wikitoria Cleone Crofts Bennett Howse – born 19 May, 1933. Hope you have a great day Mum. Love always, Tini, Daniel, Iola, Michael-Francis, Adam and Josephine.
Ila Wikitoria Cleone Crofts Bennett Howse.
Ila and her big bro Johnno Crofts.
Ila’s siblings, rear from left,Tokomaru Hammond, Michael Crofts, Charlie Croft, front from left, Ngawini Temepara, Devene Tipa, Ila Crofts, Aroha Reriti-Crofts.
Rear from left, Michael Francis, Daniel Bennett, Adam Bennett; front row from left, Iola Bennett, Tini Te Paa, Josephine Crofts-Bennett.
Poupou karanga wānanga
Tuahiwi Marae recently echoed with the sound of karanga at a two-day noho covering the origin, history, foundation, and spiritual and delivery techniques of karanga. This is the first of four noho to be run throughout the year.
Our hapū welcomed Raina Ferris, founder of this kaupapa, onto her own marae, along with 21 students and their whānau, who came from Kaikōura, Koukourārata, Rāpaki and Ōtautahi.
Many thanks to our whānau, who kept our puku happy and a special thank you to all of our tāua, who are supporting us in the kaupapa. I would also like to thank Te Whare Purākau o Ngāi Tūāhuriri and Te Whare Wānanga o Raukawa for giving me the opportunity to return home and work with my whānau as one of the kaiwhakaako for this awesome kaupapa. Tini Te Paa will also be a part of the teaching team as kaiāwhina. We both consider it an honour.
Nā Liz Kereru.
Tāua Ila House and Raina Ferris at the wānanga.
Left to right: Annie Stewart, Rebecca Thomas, Shafia Stevens, Tini Te Paa, Hutika Crofts-Gibbs, Maraea Peawini, Lexie Reuben, Paula Rigby, Ranui Ngarimu. Behind Ranui: Wikitoria Crofts-Pewhairangi and Nicole Manawatu-Brennan.
Karanga Wānanga participants from near and far.