Te Hapū o Ngāti Wheke Rā whānau
for his team, as well as being the top try scorer. He was unlucky not to be selected to represent New Zealand. Only two players from six Canterbury teams made the six New Zealand teams selected. Rangitane also received the award for best and fairest player at the Touch Canterbury presentations. Rangitane would like to thank everyone who supported him with fundraising and sponsorship; in particular a special thank you to Te Kōhanga Reo o Te Āwhina for their generous sponsorship. Also a very big thank you to Uncle Joe Briggs for your manaaki. Mum and Dad absolutely loved staying with you.
April Charlie Subritzky, Sharlene Pirikahu, Terry McConnell, Jesse Thompson, Rei Couch, Yvette Couch-Lewis, Pania Laffey, Honey-Rae Toria Thompson, Adelaide CouchSnow, Kirsten Dell-Hartgers, Matea Gillies, Nola Jones, Josephine Briggs, Janina Konia, Sofia Houghton, Maui Stuart. May Auntie Dawn Kottier, Lyle Phillips, Marlene Kamo, Roy Tikao, Cody Laffey, Trevor Perry, Caine Tauwhare, Rex Gillies, Hohepa Briggs, Ngarangi and Ngahina Tauwhare.
Sporting achievement – Rangitane Thompson
Rangitane, son of Andre and Catherine, and moko of the late Henry and Kath Stuart, was selected for the Canterbury Touch U17 mixed team, which travelled to Papamoa, Tauranga to contest the nationals in March. With 13 provinces in the grade, competition was split into two sections. Canterbury could only manage two wins from seven games and four narrow losses had them finishing down the table. Counties Manukau were the overall winners. The Canterbury team played very well and can hold their heads high knowing that they played to their potential. Rangitane was the standout player
Rangitane Thompson.
getting out there again. We were all very inspired by Mananui Ramsden’s exceptional skills, which he shared in his taiaha kōrero and demonstration.
World tour de Wakatipu
Congratulations and well done to Jerry and Sean Hartgers for their recent success riding in the 2013 New World Tour de Wakatipu. Jerry came first in a field of 30 recreational master males over 36 kilometres and his son Sean was third in the recreational junior section.
Tikao whānau get together
The Tikao whānau had a wonderful Easter weekend at Rāpaki Marae. There was a mix of whakapapa, waiata, mahika kai activities, weaving, hearing kōrero about whānau history, as well as getting to know each other and our tamariki, who are all sprouting up. We were very lucky to have Ranui Ngarimu come and kick start our whānau kākahu project, teaching us some basic skills about muka extraction from harakeke. We also learnt how to pluck some precious manu given to us by the Department of Conservation (DOC). A representative from DOC came along and gave us some beautiful kiwi feathers for our kākahu. Another highlight included some of our tāne learning mahi tuna at the drains at Waikakahi/Birdlings Flat. Thanks to Roy Tikao for teaching our tāne this very practical taoka tuku iho. The guys will look forward to
Mananui Ramsden gives a taiaha demonstration.
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