Te Hapū o Ngāti Wheke gaps between walls and roof line, chimneys down and missing tiles. We are told these things are fixable. Some whānau vacated their homes, or went to stay with other whānau for support as the aftershocks continued. It wasn’t much of a welcome for David (Ginger) Couch and son Aaron who had just arrived from Perth for a holiday.
He Rongopai Some of our happier occasions have been the birth of another beautiful moko for Lynne and Andrew Veal in Ōtautahi on 27 August to Amy and Rangi Walton, a wee sister for Te Ariki. Janina, Andre and Holly Konia arrived home from Korea. Mamae Gertrude Warnes celebrated her 80th birthday at Rehua. The marriage of Manaia Rehu to Edie Moke at Rāpaki and the Parata whānau’s combined birthday celebrations.
The office itself remains intact although one filing cabinet toppled over and created a bit of a mess for Herewini, who was first on the scene. The marae wharekai and kauta are fine. A couple of pictures ended up on the floor and there were some minor glass breakages but the tukutuku panels are all okay. Our new building appears fine on the outside. Inspections have been carried out but no official report has been received yet.
Rāpaki’s Shake Up For our kaumātua, (we currently have around 23 living in Rāpaki) particularly those on their own, the morning in question was a frightening experience. But as one would expect, the men of Rāpaki were quickly on the scene. They went around checking the pā to ensure everyone was okay, and a delivery of fresh water was much appreciated. Thanks to the men concerned for their manaaki. One annoyance several residents shared was the time it took for the power to be restored in Rāpaki.
Quake Update Eight days on and the office in Rāpaki can report that our community is quietly going about the business of daily living – understandably some individuals rather more cautiously then others, but there is a general sense of calm.
Our maunga Te Poho o Tamatea Pokai Whenua has let loose some quite big boulders, which have left behind a pathway of surface scarring.
Communication systems have been no more up and down than usual. It is something we have learnt to live with here. Despite the disruption, papers were out in time for both the TPT and THONW Annual General Meetings scheduled for Sunday 12 October.
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Thank you to our whānau who have phoned or emailed in from around the motu and even from Australia, offering accommodation, support and encouragement. Our thoughts and aroha are with all our whānau in Ōtautahi and surrounds who have had their lives turned upside down. Tū Kahika – A career in health Apply for the 2011 Tū Kahika programme by 30 October. Pōua, tāua, hākui, hākaro – in your family, do you have a Year 12 or 13 student interested in a career in health? Do you want help with their fees and accommodation next year while studying? Enrol them in Tū Kahika, a pre-university programme that supports Māori students fulfil their ambitions to become health professionals. Run by the University of Otago’s Foundation Year, Tū Kahika also provides pastoral, cultural and professional mentoring and support. Te Hapü o Ngäti Wheke rangatahi are invited to take advantage of this great opportunity. For more information go to: • Māori Student Support/Kaiārahi Māori, Zoe Bristowe: email: tu.kahika@otago.ac.nz • University of Otago: www.otago.ac.nz/tukahika
Michael Derek Te Here Korako standing on a boulder that dislodged from the face of Te Poho o Tamatea Pokai Whenua. Of the 40 dwellings in our Rāpaki kāinga, most if not all are okay. Some have minor damage such as cracks,
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