Rā whānau
Those celebrating birthdays in August were: Shane Laffey, Josh Barlow, Paula Rakena, Felicity Phillips, Tarewa Pakau-McGregor, Rangimarie Parata Takurua, Dudley Couch, Benjie Gutherie, Tui Timihou, Melville Rehu, Tania Tikao, Andre Thompson, Reihana Parata, Ria Deacon, Te Ariki Tamatea Pokai Whenua and Joseph Walton.
A budding rugby champion
Jordan is the youngest of Wally and Jackie Stone’s three boys and mokopuna of the late Priscilla and David Stone. He was raised in Kaikōura and is a very talented rugby player, playing in the halfback position. Like his older siblings, Israel and Jermaine, Jordan was a rugby representative for Marlborough before attending Christchurch Boys’ High School in his last two years. There, he played for the first XV in 2011 and 2012.
This year Jordan played for Christchurch Rugby Club’s colts team and was selected to play in their premier team as well. He trains with the Crusaders Academy and has also been selected to play for the Canterbury Māori Rugby senior team. Although only 18 at the time, he was thrilled to have the opportunity to play alongside All Black captain, Richie McCaw, in Christchurch and a highlight was holding the winning shield with Ritchie after their match.
Richie McCaw and Jordan Stone.
Earthquake repairs
The top road at Rāpaki is busy with trucks, vans and cars with building supplies and trades people undertaking repairs on two houses. The home of kaumātua Aunty Sal and Uncle Kena Rakena is also being rebuilt. Whānau are watching the progress, excited that they will be back in their homes soon. Yvette Couch-Lewis and John Lewis are living on site with the construction happening around them. Progress is going well.
Elaine and Ron Dell are now discussing colours and hope to be back home in a few weeks. Work has also started this week on Luana Swindells and Rex Houghton’s house but sadly Mum (June Swindells) is still waiting for work to start on her home. The good news is that progress is happening at Rāpaki on these major repairs and hopefully work will start on the remaining homes in the near future.
Rāpaki netball
The annual South Island Māori Netball Association tournament will be held Saturday 28 September. This year Rāpaki girls in the Whakaraupō Netball Club will be travelling to Kaikōura to defend their five trophies won at the 2012 tournament – the Whakaraupō A senior winners of the Pitama trophy; Whakaraupō Junior runner-up Solomon trophy; Whakaraupō Midget winners Ōtautahi trophy; Whakaraupō Marching senior, Rehu trophy; Whakaraupō Aggregate Tirikatene trophy. Watch this space for the 2013 results.