On 1 May, in beautiful weather, Tā Mark officiated, along with Taumutu Rūnanga and Te Waihora Management Board (TWMB) members, the opening of the Greenpark School site.
Greenpark is a Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu and Te Waihora Management Board initiative and the school buildings will now be re-used for education and community activities.
It will serve as a welcome home and collaborative hub for a range of exciting Te Waihora activities. It was an opportunity to look through the classrooms and to admire Aunty Daphne’s beautiful weaving.
Continuous videos were shown of the late Aunty Ake, as well as Māori TV documentaries about Te Waihora. The official opening ribbon was cut by Tā Mark, Aunty Marg and Daphne. Mayor Kelvin Coe (Selwyn District Council) and ECan Commissioner, David Caygill, were also in attendance. Fonterra representative, Stuart Gray, board and rūnanga representatives, Department of Conservation staff, Waihora Ellesmere Trust, and Environment Canterbury mingled with local farmers and members of the local Greenpark community, mingled together. It was a great day with good company and kai, and an opportunity to kōrero with a wide range of community members.
Fonterra is funding operational costs at Greenpark and their generosity is much appreciated.
Children from Lincoln Primary with Taumutu Rūnanga whānau and Tā Mark during the Greenpark school site opening.