Te Rūnanga o Koukourarata Nei rā te owha! Well it has been a while, and life has been busy. Over the past months we have successfully employed Doug Timothy as our marae and reserves caretaker and Wade Wereta-Osborn as our marae kaimanaaki. A big thank you for all your hard work over the past months, bringing everything back up to code and ready for our whānau and manuhiri.
over the last growing season. Please contact our rūnanga office if you would like more information or would like to help the team – because there are always additional weeds that need tending to.
We’ve also had the pleasure of a visit from Karla and Rex Gamble, who popped back from over the ditch for a holiday. Also, Elizabeth McKnight arrived back from Australia early in March. And rumour has it that members of the Lewis-Payne whānau have been sighted around the bay. February marked the one-year anniversary of the earthquake that devastated the city. From being part of the official memorial, to work gatherings, or just being with whānau, memories flooded back and our thoughts went to those who passed away that day. But life goes on. Now as we move into our second year of our new normal, we watch as the city we know and love undergoes massive changes. It’s history in the making and we have the privilege to ensure the future is stronger and safer. Before moving on, Te Rūnanga o Koukourarata would also like to extend our heartfelt aroha to all of our whanauka who have lost loved ones over the past month. In particular the Daken whānau with the sad loss of Jim. Nō reira koutou o te huka wairua haere atu rā, moe mai rā i kā peka o tō tātou nei Ūkaipō. Mā te Atua koutou katoa e manaaki e tiaki. Āpiti hono tātai hono rātou ki a rātou ka moe, āpiti hono tātai hono tātou te huka ora ka noho, pai mārire!
Kakanui
Congratulations to Peter Ramsden and his team who have been working on the creation of Kakanui Conservation, Wāhi Tapu and Māori Reserve at Koukourarata (Port Levy). After many years and hui, with owners from all over New Zealand, on 4 April the Māori Land Court gave permission for the Port Levy MR874 Reserve 3a, 4a, 4b1a, 4b2a, 4b2b to become the Kakanui Conservation, Wāhi Tapu and Māori Reserve. Many thanks to all those who have supported this mahi in its journey so far.
Rā whānau
We have some birthdays coming up within the Briggs whānau this month, firstly with Tautahi who turns nine on 13 April! Very big rā whānau from your Mum, Dad, whānau and of course all your whānau at Koukourarata. Then on 19 April it is Josephine’s birthday, this year a milestone year, congratulations Josephine, hope your celebrations go well.
Update on whānau
Proud Dad Elliot Wilson-Briggs sends his best wishes to his daughter Maia, who lives in Seddon, as she starts her first season of netball this year. He (and Te Rūnanga o Koukourarata) congratulate Maia on finishing second in her school swimming sports in the flutter board competition in February. Tau kē Maia, karawhiua e kera! Awesome work Maia, keep up the good work!
Te Māra a Hine-te-wai
Over the summer the Department of Corrections has developed communal gardens on the ‘Old School Reserve’, which is now known as ‘Te Māra a Hine-tewai’. It has proved to be very successful with a multitude of crops being grown during the spring and summer. Many thanks to Peter Ramsden for arrangements and to Doug Timothy, Riki Lewis and the many helping hands
Earthquake damage seems to be the hot topic, but for two of our whānau, Jasmine Hesp and Ngaire Briggs, it
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