Te Taumutu Rūnanga Unveiling
On Saturday 2 May, we celebrated the life of Taiaroa Witako Te Reimana Tuatini-Love. It has been two years since his passing. The whānau gathered in Raetihi to unveil his kōhatu whakamaumaharatanga. We would like to thank our Taumutu Rūnanga whānau for their aroha. E kore te puna aroha e mimiti. Ngā mihi ki a koutou katoa. Nā Maaki Tuatini. Taiaroa’s kōhatu whakamaumaharatanga.
Congratulations
The Whakamana Māori students graduation was held at Lincoln University on Thursday, 23 April. Daphne O’Connell, Aunty Marg Jones, Uncle Pat Nutira and Liz Brown (kaikaranga) supported the university and graduating students at this special occasion.
Te Taumutu Rūnanga members with one of the graduates.
Artists’ workshop
Students from Southbridge School, Leeston School and Ellesmere College recently participated in a two day “Gifted and Talented Artist” workshop held at Ngāti Moki Marae. Liz Brown led the workshop and she was assisted by Fiona Sloan of Te Taumutu Rūnanga, and Wendy Huriwai, Southbridge School Deputy Principal. Each student participated in weaving harakeke, completing tukutuku and painting kōwhaiwhai panels. These skills were then combined to create a mural commemorating and drawing upon the work of the late Cath Brown. The mural now embellishes the Cath Brown Memorial Art cupboard.
The completed mural.
Taumutu hīkoi
On Monday 13 April, despite atrocious weather predictions, Taumutu whānau donned their warm gear and headed off on a hīkoi to Okains Bay.
As we approached the hilltop the bus was pelted with hail and sleet, so we were all thankful we were on the bus.
Tamariki were very busy on the bus trip, completing an alphabet find before arriving at the museum. Once there the kaumātua, pakeke, and tamariki spent time looking at the taonga on display at Okains Bay Māori and Colonial Museum and were engrossed finding their favourite item. Murray Thacker, founder of the museum, was generous in spending time with us as well.
We returned home tired but enthused by all we had seen, so much so that a trip to Ōnawe Peninsula and Wainui is now on the agenda.
Fine weather prevailed, allowing us to enjoy some vigorous games around the buildings at Okains Bay. Our kaumātua have indicated they want to return, as they needed more time to contemplate all that was on display in the museum. From Okains Bay, we went on to visit the Akaroa Museum and we watched an informative movie. Unfortunately not all areas of the museum were open but we still gained a lot.
Whānau at the Okains Bay Museum.
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