A perfectly still and sunny day marked the official opening of the Rod Donald Hut just below Waipuna on Saturday 7 November, in the takiwā of Kāti Irakehu and Kāti Makō.

It was ten years to the day that Rod Donald’s life was cut tragically short and his father, David, wife, Nicola Shirlaw and daughters, Zoe, Holly and Emma were all in attendance to commemorate the passionate environmentalist and Green Party MP that the hut is named for, and to celebrate the Rod Donald Banks Peninsula Trust’s work in purchasing and fitting out the hut for public use.

Āpotoro, James Robinson lead the whakatūwhera of the hut, supported by Tāua Pollyann Panirau, Maire Kipa and Iaean Cranwell.

After the whakatūwhera of the hut, all the manuhiri had their first opportunity to view the interior of the hut, before being refreshed with food and cold drinks.

Iaean Cranwell opened the speeches, followed by Rod Donald Banks Peninsula Trust Chair, Simon Mortlock, who is also an independent on the Te Kete o Wairewa board. Hinewai Reserve’s Manager, Hugh Wilson reminisced about his early tramping experiences on the Banks Peninsula, when as a child he caught the train to Lyttelton, then the ferry to Diamond Harbour, before walking up into the hills to stay at several huts.

Hugh’s childhood experiences symbolise the Trust’s hopes and that of Wairewa Rūnanga also, that our tamariki will walk in the footsteps of ancestors and experience the incredibly beautiful environment of Te Pātaka o Rākaihautū.

Wairewa Rūnanga will be promoting this hut amongst our own whānau, and to get our tamariki out and exploring Te Pātaka o Rākaihautū and using the hut.

Also a big thank you to the Rod Donald Banks Peninsula Trust’s manager, Suky Thompson for organising a wonderful day. Ka wani kē.

Āpotoro, James pointing his house out to David and Zoe Donald.

Āpotoro, James pointing his house out to David and Zoe Donald.

The hīkoi to the hut.

The hīkoi to the hut.

Onlookers watch the lifting of the tapu.

Onlookers watch the lifting of the tapu.

Whānau standing outside the hut.

Whānau standing outside the hut.