In recognition of pōua Charlie’s Queen’s Birthday Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit honour, our whānau and hapū came together to toast his achievement. We particularly recognise his many years of representing our whānau, hapū and iwi, especially during the Ngāi Tahu Deed of Settlement as the first Kaiwhakahaere of Te Rūnanganui o Ngāi Tahu.
We were delighted to spend a lunch celebrating him and his wonderful wife Meri Crofts. We enjoyed all of our favourite kai, cheeky waiata and speeches of aroha. It was a pleasure having our whānaunga from Taumutu with us and īnanga from the Tumahai whānau, who were unable to be there on the day.
Most of all it was special moment for our whānau having our pōua Charlie and taua Meri’s uri — Uncle Carl-Stuart, Aunty Marion and cousins Shira and Sharnecho Crofts from Koukourārata with us at Tuahiwi Marae (love to see you guys in the pā more often).
We all shared a delicious and bountiful hākari of tītī (roasted and salted), īnanga (Arahura and Rakahuri), tuna and even some Pākehā kai — cheerios and banoffee pavlovas — made it in too. It was a wonderful time shared by all and I thank everyone who came and helped us celebrate.
We also had a chance to toast Norman Dewes, a wonderfully humble man who has been a pou for many Māori living in Christchurch. His service to both Mātāwaka and Ngāi Tahu members in our communities is greatly appreciated.
Norm, a fantastic gardener with an equally humble wife Linda Ngata, has also been a recipient of a Queen’s Birthday Honour, becoming a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit. So cheers to you both and thank you for all that you have done for us.
Taua Meri and pōua Charlie Crofts.
Norman Dewes – a Queens’ Birthday honours recipient.
Manawa Reriti preparing kai for the hākari.
Tim Reriti.