Rā whānau

Happy birthday Pōua Rik – On 7 April, it was your first birthday where we couldn’t make any calls to you, or have you answer the phone with your usual “Rik ‘Tower’ [Tau] speaking” voice and twang, nor were we able to share a yarn with you over cream cakes and flounders.

I miss you pōua, we all do. But we are all content, knowing that you are no longer suffering nor sounding like a scuba diver. E kore te puna aroha e mimiti mōhou Pōua, ka maringi tonu ngā waipuke ō ngā roimata i ngā wā o te hari me te koa, te pōuri me te whakaroau. Hari rā whānau xx. Nā Reriti Tau.

Pōua Rik.

Pōua Rik.

From left, Maaka Tau, Reriti Tau and Rakiihia Tau.

From left, Maaka Tau, Reriti Tau and Rakiihia Tau.

Graduation

E kore e mahiti te puna o mihi ki a koutou te hau kāika o Kāi Tūāhuriri.

Kāore e ārikarika te rau o mahara mōhou e Iwikau, e Jumbo; nāhau hoki tēnei huanui i para, ekari i mutu wawe tōhou haereka i te ao kikokiko nei; i karakahia koe e Tahu-kumea, e Tahu-whakairo nō reira e te tuakana, moe mai, moe mai, moe mai rā. E kore koe e warewaretia.

December 13 2014, marked the completion of a long arduous journey for the Ngāi Tūāhuriri MBS hub of Te Wānanga o Raukawa. Four students and whānau travelled to Ōtaki to receive their Poutuarongo Mātauranga Māori (Bachelor of Māori Studies).

Also graduating with a Heke Mātauranga Māori (Diploma in Māori Studies) were students of Te Kura Whakapūmau i te Reo Tūturu ki Waitaha accompanied by Ruawhitu Pōkaia, whose constant support and guidance as well as kōrero and tautoko at graduation was greatly appreciated by the adult students.

Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini.

The four students would like to acknowledge the hau kāika of Tuahiwi, particularly the unconditional support of Aunty Pat, Uncle Rex, Aunty Denise and Aunty Reimona. Many thanks also to their whānau who put up with late night study sessions, to the year one and two students whose dedication to the kaupapa uplifted their spirits when assignment deadlines loomed, and to the many talented tutors, including Hone Underwood, Gael Paki and Andrenah Kaka who travelled regularly to Te Waipounamu.

It is only right to also acknowledge Ben Brennan and Nicole Manawatu who established this kaupapa in 2012 and last but not least, the many rika manaaki who over the last three years fuelled the students’ tinana so that their hinekaro could carry on.

E kore e mimiti, e kore e memeha ā mātou nei mihi ki a koutou.

From left, Darren Solomon (Kāi Te Rakiamoa, Kāti Huirapa), Michelle Turrall (Ngāi Tūāhuriri, Ngāti Irakehu), Zhonia Rewiti (Te Atihaunui a Pāpārangi, Ngāti Tūwharetoa) and Nepia Reweti (Te Atihaunui a Pāpārangi, Ngāti Whātua, Rongowhakaata).

From left, Darren Solomon (Kāi Te Rakiamoa, Kāti Huirapa), Michelle Turrall (Ngāi Tūāhuriri, Ngāti Irakehu), Zhonia Rewiti (Te Atihaunui a Pāpārangi, Ngāti Tūwharetoa) and Nepia Reweti (Te Atihaunui a Pāpārangi, Ngāti Whātua, Rongowhakaata).

Messages from Manutaki

“Kia ora Reriti. I just wanted to say that I am still blown away by the manaakitanga and aroha we were so very lucky to have experienced at ‘our’(hehe) marae, Tuahiwi. It wasn’t like a home away from home, it was way better. I’m even Facebook friends with your aunty (Tweety) now lol. Truly loved our time in Ōtautahi. A big mihi to you and your māmā and tāua for all the mahi you all did for us in the background, right from the outset. Ngā mihi xx.” – Shantelle Kershaw.

“E tika ana te kōrero a Shonny….Your whānau, hapū, iwi certainly looked after us as if we were/are lol kings and queens. I hope one day we get the opportunity to manaaki them here in Waitakere – can’t promise whitebait fritters, but eggs benedict I’m sure we can manage but seriously, our noho at Tuahiwi marae has left us many imprinted memories forever. Ngā mihi mahaki ki a koutou te whānau o Tuahiwi Marae.” – Carla Rupuha.

“I thought the Marae was very ‘futuristic’ lol and amazing. The amount of manaakitanga and care that the haukāinga put in towards the rōpū was also very well received. This is the first time I have been at a kapa haka competition and have actually looked forward to going back to the whare to relax. Kaore i tua atu …Honestly my bro. Greatest marae I have ever been too.” – Daniel Davis.