He pēpi
Special congratulations to the Mason-White whānau on the safe arrival of Te Whetu Marama o Nga Pumanawa E Waru Mason, born 9 July at 8:50am at Greymouth Hospital.
Weighing 6lkb 11ozs, she is a new toanga for Miriama White and Te Rua Mason, and brand new baby sister for Whakataerangi, Henare and Ani. Ngā mihi whānau, much love to all.
Welcome to Te Whetu Marama.
Rā whanau
Best wishes to everyone who has had birthdays recently: Hector Tainui (Uncle Spud), Tyrone Tainui, Pippa Tainui, Adam Tainui, Amber Blacktopp, Jake Meihana-Beckett, Danealla Mason, Jamie Ferguson, Barbara Vaea, Andre Mehrtens, Tamati Tainui, Andrea Reed, Kathleen Scott, George Campbell and Ani Mason.
Bill Henderson
Belated best wishes to Uncle Bill for his 80th birthday, which he celebrated at our marae with whānau and friends on 2 August. What a party he put on for this huge milestone.
It was such a beautiful night and all the kai was so lovely. It included a well-cooked hāngī put down by the guys. There was so much food and so many choices to make. Beautiful work whānau! Ka mau te wehi.
Uncle Bill and his yummy cake.
Rūnanga news
Kia ora whānau, another month is just about over and we are getting closer to open season for whitebait. I am very excited and can’t wait to have a fresh pattie. I just hope open season brings me more than one pattie so I don’t have to share it. On another note, things are still ticking along up at the marae and we are all preparing for our opening. Really exciting stuff whānau, I hope you all can make it to the opening in November.
Blood Bank kōhatu
Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Waewae had the pleasure of welcoming NZ Blood Bank rōpū to our marae on 23 June for a blessing of a pounamu kōhatu that was handed over to NZ Blood Bank for their new facility. It was a very nice mihi whakatau and it was lovely to see everyone turn up to support this kaupapa.
Whānau with the pounamu kōhatu.
Denniston Mine blessing
On 21 July Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Waewae went up to Denniston mine to bless the site before mining processes began. Thank you very much to Te Rua Mason for coming to do this and to Aunt Pup who delivered a beautiful karanga that made our hair stand on end. Thanks heaps whānau, thanks also to the Denniston Mine crew for welcoming us up there with lovely kai and a nice hot cuppa.
The whānau at Denniston Mine.
Te Pūtahitanga
On 26 July, Te Pūtahitanga, the Whānau Ora Commissioning Agency, held its launch at Westland High School Hall. Thank you to all the kaimahi, who made the day go so well. There were lots of refreshments: chicken souvlaki, sausage sizzle, ice cones, candy floss, non-alcohol cocktails, lots of fruit and even a photo booth that all our kaumātua loved.
Uncle Joe Mason our MC for the day introducing Hokitika Primary kapa haka kids.
Kaumātua pamper day
Our beautiful kaumātua all met up at Arahura Marae on 30 July for a pamper day. This included: massage, manicures, make-up, hairstyling and, free health checks. There was even a bit of exercise including Zumba and Tai Chi. Ngā mihi to all those who came to help and care for our kaumātua. It made their day a beautiful and relaxing one.
Aunt Kan getting her health check done by Ferg.
Rachael Forsyth taking our kaumātua for a Zumba lesson.
Arahura Marae opening
The weeks are closing in and we’re getting closer to the opening of our Whare Tipuna. For those members of Ngāti Waewae Rūnanga, you will find a list of work teams on our Waewae Whānau Facebook site soon. We would like you to select which team you will be working in to ensure our opening day runs successfully. The teams will include catering, cleaning, car parking etc.
We put the call out to you all now and we expect to see all whānau travelling home either on Sunday 16 November, as we start our busy week of mahi, or at the latest, Wednesday 19 November. We plan to hold waiata wānanga every night leading up to Friday. The time has flown by and we are finally going to see the moemoeā of our elders come to fruition.
The official opening of the Arahura Whare Tipuna is Friday, 21 November. The dawn ceremony (blessing) will be held at 6am, with the official marae opening pōwhiri to be held at 10am the same day.
Kaumātua
Our lovely kaumātua are still meeting every week on Wednesdays. If anyone is interested in attending please contact Karen Coakley on 03 755 5023 or (cell) 027 865 7524.
Rūnanga business
Rūnanga hui are held every second Sunday of each month, from 11am -3pm.
Enquires to Te Tari o Arahura phone 03 755 6451 or email: [email protected] We welcome contributions from whānau for Te Pānui Rūnaka, so please send any news and photos to [email protected] or phone 03 755 6451. Or visit the tari anytime. Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou katoa.