Kia ora whānau. Christmas and New Year is all over for another year and I certainly hope you all had a great holiday – and you are all back fighting fit.

I had a quick six days in Brisbane. Awesome. Didn’t do much – just relaxing with the whānau and friends….. it was all good. I have just started at CYFS as cultural advisor so we will see how that goes.

The marae has been busy in the last couple of weeks with young ones. There is lots happening with a few pōwhiri coming up in the next week to keep things ticking over.

Has anybody heard of a round barrel-type thing with spikes in it that you roll along the sand to catch flounder? I have got some photos. I hope you like the idea – I will have more for you next month.

To you all, te Ika a Māui, me Te Waka a Māui and to the whānau who have lost loved ones over holidays big hugs and condolences to you all arohanui. And to all those new born pēpi, kia ora aroha, welcome to the world. Kā mihi aroha ki a koutou katoa te whānau o kā rūnaka. All the best for the new year from Squirrel on the hill and Waihōpai whānau.