Nā Te Ao CD Launch was a huge success and enjoyed by all the whānau who attended. The patron and kaumātua of Whetu Ariki Charitable Trust and one of the few surviving members of Te Whetu Ariki o Kahukura was called onto Tuahiwi Marae by Reimona Crofts and Ranui Ngarimu, who is also a former member of Whetū Ariki.
The launch brought whānau together from Arowhenua, Waihao, Moeraki, Rāpaki and Waitaha who travelled up from their hapū, I would like to extend my gratitude and aroha to you all for travelling so far. It was an absolute pleasure reconnecting with you and presenting you with your personally signed CD.
The re-connections of whānau links through Nā Te Ao was achieved by Sir Toby Curtis and Te Maire Tau kōrero, where they both intricately wove all the Ngāi Tahu whānui together, it was so lovely to hear the old familiar family names and to reminisce about the stories of the past. Nā Te Ao bought all those stories to life again with lots of laughter and nodding of heads, especially from our Aunty Sonni who graced us with her presence, not forgetting that she was the principal Tuahiwi performer who travelled to Te Arawa with her uncle Te Ari Pitama and taught them the four long poi, in exchange for a very popular iconic Te Arawa poi called ‘pākete whero’.
Our darling Aunty Pat was stunning and provided the matriarchal support that is so treasured by us all, she is always so lovingly dedicated to the true style of how ‘Tuahiwi do it!’, and you soon know if you’re not on the same page as her, an absolute taonga!
With the help of my Brennan whānau, Ko Tāne and Joan we managed to stay within the timeframes, all thanks to a ‘run-sheet’ which was the ‘star of the day’ and provided us with lots of joking and teasing. Once the CD was blessed by brother Pete, it was then launched by some of the original members of Pounamu Ngāi Tahu. Personally signed autographed CDs by myself, lots of photos, lots of hugs and kisses, CD playing in the background, then off we all headed for the kai. Thank you Joan and Ko Tāne for being such professionals and a well-oiled machine in the front of house! Then the orchestra and Maui Brennan started – A classical ensemble – cellist, violins, flutist, all introduced by Maui Brennan who played on his own keyboard and was accompanied by members of the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra – amazing music played during the hākari, concluding with the Brennan whānau waiata ‘ka kitea’.
Finally, a big thank you to Te Maire for your dedicated support to my Nā Te Ao, after the ‘penny-dropped’ your smile was priceless. To Aunty Sue and Uncle Albert thank you for all your unconditional support.
On behalf of Whetū Ariki Trust, I would like to thank you all and hope that you have all listened to your CD and are enjoying it. Ngā mihi, Timua.
Timua Brennan with Aunty Soni and her daughter Iola Bennett.
Timua Brennan with Ruth Jennings, graphic designer for the album.