Kia ora koutou ngā whānau, ngā mihi aroha ki a koutou katoa, ngā mate o ngā whānau haere, haere, haere atu rā. Waihōpai whānau send their deepest and sincerest condolences to whānau who have lost a loved one in the last month. Aroha nui, te rangatira, te kaumātua, Monty Daniels haere, haere, haere atu rā. The mighty tōtara has fallen but the seeds have grown and the mana of Monty Daniels carries on. Aroha nui Kā and Daniels whānau.
There have been heaps of hui happening at the marae including whānau kapa haka challenges and Pūtangitangi competitions, a sign of a promising future for our culture. We had the Māori Women’s Welfare League conference at the marae, a two-day cultural mapping hui down at Te Ao Mārama and what a great turn out there was. Well done team. In August, some of the whānau went to Christchurch to speak on Waihōpai Aspirations and it was great to hear how others are getting on. We will see how everyone has progressed in the next three years, I certainly hope we will have.
Cheers to all the whānau who have had a birthday in the last month, the best of wishes to you all. Anyone who had a wedding in the last month good luck, all the very best to you both from Waihōpai whānau. Last but not least, to all the new babies and new mums that have graced our world, Waihōpai sends massive congratulations on your new addition, aroha nui whānau.
That’s it from me folks, all the best and have a great month. Stay true, be safe, and take care of one another. Cheers. Nā Squirrel on the Hill.
Ailene Stehlin and Mateka Pirini at Te Whare o Te Waipounamu.
Tāua from Waihōpai (and other rūnaka) at Papatipu Rūnaka Aspirations hui.