28
Feb 2017

Bull whānau trip to Rarotoka

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From Ranui

On News Year’s Day I flew out to Rarotoka Island for three days of whānau time with my two daughters Amanda and Tania and other family members.

What a wonderful time we had. Two of the old lighthouse keepers homes have been done up, and are very comfortable and warm with the addition of new wood burners. The isolation from the mainland reminded me of the Tītī Islands but with fewer trees. We went for walks around the tracks, and saw plenty of birdlife. Finding time to relax, after the Christmas and New Year’s rush, I read some books that were written by young girls who lived on the Island that told of their daily lives and routines. Lighthouse keepers were a hard breed, and life was sometimes very tough, but they really seemed to enjoy it, as did their families. I love the history. Thank you for the trip out there. Nā Ranui Bull. [Read more…]

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17
Apr 2014

Waitangi Day on Rarotoka

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Our extended working trip to Rarotoka on Waitangi Day began early at Te Takutai o Te Tītī Marae in Colac Bay. The six participants (Sandra Cook, Cathy Onellion, Christopher Brankin, Joan Fluerty and David and Carol Clapp), had to have everything prepared for a 9am flight to the island.

While it was a short trip with a small group, a trailer load of roofing and building supplies was being lifted over with us and securing that to be helicopter safely was a priority. However the problem was solved when pilot ‘Hannibal’ Hayes decided the easiest method would be to lift the load, trailer and all. That gave us the opportunity to get good photographs of a trailer soaring over the bay.

Once the team had landed on the island, the settling-in process happened quickly and everyone set to work. All the team members had visited Rarotoka before, some as recently as Boxing Day, so pet projects were revisited [Read more…]

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