Congratulations

Warmest congratulations to Wiremu Clive Stone, who graduated from Waikato University in April, with a Bachelor of Business Analysis (Accounting). Wiremu is the son of Clive and Petina Stone and mokopuna of the late Priscilla and David Stone.

Wiremu started work in February as an accountant with Deloittes in Auckland, after spending the summer working for Treasury in Wellington.

He completed Aoraki Bound in 2008 and was a Matakahi Cadet in 2011. Wiremu also received a Ngāi Tahu scholarship and wishes to acknowledge all the tautoko and encouragement he received from his whānau, hapū and iwi during his studies. His whānau are very proud of him and wish him all the best in his future endeavours. [Read more…]

Congratulations – Martial arts success

Nik Randle of the Manihera and Paipeta whānau was awarded an advanced honour at a recent national Zen Do Kai martial arts (ZDK) event hosted in Rotorua. The event celebrated 30 years of involvement in Rotorua.

At the end of proceedings on Saturday 1 June, Nik was promoted to 6th degree advanced master (with the honorary title of ‘Koyoshi’), by the Zen Do Kai martial arts organisation co-founder, Soke Bob Jones (a 9th degree professor) of Australia.

Nik obtained his Black Belt in Zen Do Kai in the mid-1980s and has over 30 years’ experience in multiple martial arts disciplines. With the promotion complete, Nik is now one of the highest ranked masters in Aotearoa. Nik says the Zen Do Kai martial arts organisation had provided betterment for a wide range of people from a diverse array of cultures since its arrival in Aotearoa during the early 1980s. [Read more…]

Rā whānau

Happy birthday to those who celebrated March birthdays: Peter Couch, Christine Korako, Manaia Rehu, Catherine Couch, Meikiwa Princess, Joseph Tyro, Herena Stone, Ripeka Paraone, Reia Martyers, Michael Johnson, Cushla Dwyer, Hana Rakena, Steve Rangirananga, Andrea Read, Aston Rakena and Reuben Couch.

Wānaka Ora

Wānaka/Wānanga for our purposes, refers to a forum or educational seminar that we, as whānau of Te Hapū Ngāti Wheke, have an opportunity to participate in, and to learn what and why particular tikanga and kawa are used at Rāpaki Marae during formal ceremonies such as pōwhiri or tangi. The word ‘Ora’ reiterates what we strive to achieve as a result of having wānaka for example: that cultural practices at Rāpaki are alive, well, safe, and known by as many whānau members as possible. [Read more…]

Rā whānau

Happy birthday to those who celebrated a birthday in February: Tahu Rakena, Lynne Veale, Ngahuia Anderson, Areta Waipapa, Marilyn Shirt, Riki Pitama, Ron Dell, David Banks, Dorothy Couch, Puawai Wallace-Swindells, Luana Houghton, Rewi Couch, John Couch and Robert Skeaping (Rāpaki caretaker).

Ngā mate

Ken Rau (Bulldog)

My love
What am I to say, the time we spent won’t go away
I’ll miss you forever, no one will know the love we shared we always did show.
So sorry I missed you but bear in mind the love we had was one of a kind.
Forever love you my love.
Rest peacefully on Taupiri,
Nā Matekino (Ria) Morgan. [Read more…]

He pēpi

The Hutana and Phillips whānau have had many new additions over the last 2 months. Congratulations to Briana Hutana and Joe Waitoa on birth of their son, Breeze Hutana-Waitoa, born 11 October; and to Te Rauhina Hutana and Mel on the birth of their twin girls, Te Ahorangi and Atarangi , born on 13 November.

Congratulations also, to Courtney Ohara-Phillips and Haley Ohara-Phillips on the birth of their daughter, Manawa Ohara-Phillips on 18 November; and to Eddie Piripiri and Nardia on the birth of their daughter on 23 November – and a special congratulations to pōua Kāhu on the birth of his first moko. It’s been a Ngāti Wheke boom. [Read more…]

Pēpi hou

Mutu and Sue Stone and whānau are delighted to welcome their new mokopuna, Mikeah Kathleen Stone. She was born on 21 September in Brisbane. Congratulations to her parents Richard Stone and Nellie McGoldrick on their new bundle of “laid-back” joy. [Read more…]

Tēnā koutou e te whānau whānui, ngā mihi nunui ki a koutou.

Rā whānau

Edward Phillips, son of Tania Piripi, turned 21 on 25 August.

The following are also celebrating birthdays: Kahu Phillips, Mariata Laffey, Herewini Banks, Henry Couch, Linda Gennell, Catherine Stuart, Evette Lee, Wayne Rhodes and Paula Hutana.

Congratulations

In May this year, Ramari’s sister, Kellee, exchanged marriage vows with her sweetheart Ian Aldridge, at the historical St Stephen’s Chapel, Parnell. It was a small, intimate ceremony officiated by Kellee’s grandpa, Reverend Brown Turei. A dinner reception followed at the Mecca Stonehouse, Mission Bay. [Read more…]