Kia ora koutou whānau, it has been another busy month, and it’s getting very close to the magical part of the year. How time flies. To all the whānau who had a birthday this month, many happy returns and all the best. And to all whānau who have a new little one in their family, congratulations.

We have a very good nurse’s clinic every Wednesday, which helps people who don’t have access to any medical clinics – and as we all know, doctors can be expensive. The service is very well patronised so far.

As well as the normal hui – rūnaka and marae meetings for example, and our Thursday roast day – we are humming along. As for myself, Mhari, Philomena, and Peter, we have been very busy doing our tikanga programme in the prisons and on the marae. One of our tikanga members had his 70th birthday at the marae and his whānau came down from the north to celebrate. They enjoyed their stay very much.

We have a pōua, tāua, moko afternoon coming up on 19 October and that should be a great day. We also have a  respiratory hui coming up on 11 November. Put that in your diary whānau. And for the tāua,pōua, moko hui we need 12 grandparents and 12 moko – first in, first taken, so be quick Murihiku whānau.

I must also thank all the whānau who turned up to the marae to play a role as movie extras. It was a long day, especially for those ladies who didn’t think they would be there long. Robin, Mhari and Lyn started at 8.30am and finished at 7pm. But it was an enjoyable day so thank you all.

Well whānau, no matter how small the effort, the fact that you made the effort is awesome. Arohanui. To all our Kāi Tahu whānau wherever you are, take care. So long for now whānau. Nā Squirrell on the Hill.