Ngā mate

My late mother, June Moana Norling (Ngāi Tahu – Ngāti Waewae), passed away on 18 August. Born on 14 June, 1924. She was 89-years-old.

Mum’s maiden name was Lousich. Her father was Rudolph Torlesse Lousich, who drowned when Mum was three months old. Her mother’s maiden name was Iri Pihawi West. Mum was one of five children born to Rudolph Torlesse Lousich. Her Mum remarried and there were two more siblings born. Her stepfather’s name was William ‘Bill’ Feary.

Mum spent her years growing up at Arahura on the West Coast. The family later moved to Wellington.

June Moana Norling.

She married Kenneth James Norling on 24 April, 1946. (Dad passed away on the 5 April 2010). Mum is survived by five children – Maurice, Ken, Estelle, Brent and Ralph Norling. At the time of Mum’s passing, she had 24 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.

Sadly we were unable to take Mum to Arahura, which we were planning for December this year. One of her grand-daughters is due to give birth this month as well.

When Dad passed, I moved to the Wairarapa to look after Mum. My youngest brother Ralph did not want Mum to live alone. We rented a very big house as Mum had at least 60 years’ worth of collectibles and important papers, not forgetting the pounamu we had all collected when we were young. I joined her there in May 2010 and looked after her until August this year.

Mum had a send-off fit for the queen she was. We spent a night at our marae (Koranui) in Stokes Valley and when we left, Mum came out of the marae to a ground-shaking haka. We then took her to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, where, after the service, she was taken and laid to rest with our Dad at the Greytown Cemetery. I miss her so much but I know she is safe.
Nā Estelle Norling.

Rā whānau

Milly Campbell, Wiremu Weepu, Manu Weepu, Courtney Sargeant, Jamie Meihana-Whittle, Ariana Tainui, Rosemarie Tainui, Kelly Mason, Arana Sutton, Aotaumarewa Meihana-Eiffe, Maia Tonihi, Tioti Campbell, Te Ngarahau Mason, Tania Hutana, Jo-anne Coakley (Millie).

Marae development

Building of our wharenui begins and is scheduled to finish in early 2014.

Rūnanga business

Our Ngāti Waewae Rūnanga hui takes place on 20 October. The annual general meeting will be held on 17 November.