Hei konei, hei kona

Whanau at Waikohatu's farewell lunch today at Stumpers, in Hokitika. Wai is at the back right (sorry for the photo, Wai, you're far more photogenic than this rushed photo!)

Today we said farewell to our office kaimahi Waikohatu Scott, and tomorrow we will welcome her into her new role just down the road at Rata Te Awhina Trust.

Wai has worked for the Runanga for 4-5 years, soon after moving with her whanau to the West Coast from Oamaru. Anyone who has called at the Runanga office or phoned for help in this time will almost surely have had the pleasure of Wai's lovely manaakitanga - she has been the welcoming face and voice of Makaawhio in our Hokitika office, and we'll miss her heaps. Thankfully we've still got our other smiling wahine, Susan and Rachael!

But we also wish her well as she starts her new role as kaiaratake for our Hokitika-based Maori health provider, Rata, as this is Wai's passion, having worked in this field on the East Coast. She'll be a natural fit with Rata, working with whanau and iwi throughout Te Tai o Poutini, and we wish her well. Thanks Wai, and good luck! 

Whakatipuwaitai meets Mahitahi

Ngati Mahaki and Hollyford Guides, on the mahau of our wharetipuna Kaipo, on Sunday.

It has become something of a family tradition, that each October a group of Ngati Mahaki whanau are privileged to visit our ancient homeland of Whakatipuwaitai (Martins Bay) to enjoy the hospitality of Hollyford Guides. It is a unique and valued relationship between Ngai Tahu Tourism Ltd and Te Runanga o Makaawhio. This past weekend it was our turn - and privilege - to host the Hollyford Guides at Te Tauraka Waka a Maui Marae, Mahitahi.

Whanau reunion

Taua Tui Wilson (nee Te Naihi), middle, stands proudly with her cousin Rora Paki-titi and her children Mata, left, and Tanirau, when they travelled from Te Kuiti to Weheka (Fox Glacier) in 1949. Weheka is just up the road from Bruce Bay. Rora's mum was Makareta Pepene, no Makaawhio Pa. Story is that Aunt Rora, who lived in the North Island and spoke standard Maori, had trouble understanding Taua Tui when they spoke Maori because Tui spoke with a distinct southern dialect. (Photo courtesy of Mata Holliday, Lake Paringa)

Ahi kaa roa

Jeff and Shannon Mahuika with their 'ahi kaa' on Maori Beach, directly opposite the Marae, helped at the weekend by Nathanial Scott, with Heretaniwha in the background.

Parekura

Parekura Horomia on the mahau with then Upokorunanga Wilfred Te Koeti, left, and then Upokotuarua Richard Wallace, January 2005. (Photos by Ramari Stewart)

We join the whole country in mourning the loss of Labour MP Parekura Horomia. New Zealand has lost a fine politician (a rare breed these days), the Labour caucus have lost their 'matua', Ngati Porou have lost their pou and father, and we have lost the gentle big softy that opened our marae seven years ago.

Parekura came to Mahitahi as Minister of Maori Affairs, but when Prime Minister Helen Clark's helicopter was unable to land due to the eerie fog that descended that morning, Parekura took up the honours and performed them with his trademark mixture of dignity and humour. 

Parekura and West Coast MP Damien O'Connor waiting at the gate for the powhiri.

To this day the pounamu plaque marking the opening, at the front door to Kaipo, records that it was opened by Helen Clark. The story of her nearly but not quite making it that day is part of the whakapapa of the marae, but the honour belongs to Parekura and so we will be correcting the plaque in recognition of that fact.

His tangihanga at Hauiti Marae, Tologa Bay, will be huge, and Makaawhio will have a presence by sending our Upokorunanga, Richard Wallace. 

Anzac baby

'Ra whanau ki a koe' - whanau sing to birthday girl Nina Coghlan, left, after our Anzac Day service.

Actually, at 82 years young she's a kaumatua - but Aunty Nina Coghlan is still our 'Anzac baby'! And on Saturday she travelled from her rest home in Greymouth to the marae at Bruce Bay to commemorate and honour our war veterans, including her father David Huihui Bannister, son of Hera Te Koeti and William Bannister, who served in the Maori Battalion and fought at Gallipoli in World War I. We used the opportunity to honour Aunty Nina, who marked her 82nd birthday at the marae.

David Huihui was one of four Bannister brothers who volunteered for the so-called Great War - Tuhuru left in the first contingent and is reputed to have celebrated his 14th birthday while serving overseas, then there was Jim (later a Maori All Black) and William Paitoto Koeti.

Five generations (almost) - Nina with son Gary, granddaughter Kim, greats Mia and Corben - and with her dad David Huihui Bannister on the projector for the Anzac service.

Another brother, George, walked all the way from the Makaawhio Pa to the War Office in Hokitika, as they all did, only to be declined because he was 'flat-footed'. He turned around and walked all the way home again!

An Olympic effort

Mahaki whanau with our New Zealand Olympic manuhiri after chef de mission Dave Currie presented his Olympic blazer to our pounamu carver Jeff Mahuika.

NZ Olympics team chef de mission Dave Currie, left, pounamu carver Jeff Mahuika, Runanga chairman Paul Madgwick, upoko Richard Wallace and NZ Paralympics chef de mission Duane Kale with the wall feature presented to Te Runanga o Makaawhio.