Moana Mailer 65

ISSUE SIXTY FIVE: ONO TEKAU MĀ RIMA MARCH 2022

Tā Robert 'Bom' Gillies Honoured

IN THIS ISSUE: p3 p4 p5 p6 p7 p8 p10 p12 p12 p13 p13 p14 p15 p15 p15 p16 p16

Mahi.co.nz Celebrates Business Award Supreme Court hears Wai 85 Claim A Walk Down Memory Lane More memories from the 1970s – John Stevens Returned Mail – Where Are You? Marae Update Seasonal Farm Update Notification of a Deceased Shareholder Wairarapa Moana: The Lake and Its People Can You Help?

Wairarapa Moana Merchandise Aroha Geange – Past Scholarship Recipient Shareholder Search Education Funding 2022 Find out more ...

50 Unclaimed Dividends Shareholder Bank Account Details

p16 Mailer Closing Dates

Wairarapa Moana descendant, Robert Gillies, has been awarded the Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (KNZM) for services to Māori and war commemoration in the 2022 Queen’s New Year’s Honours list.

Weeks shy of his 97th birthday, Robert ‘Bom’ Gillies has finally accepted a knighthood on behalf of his whànau and comrades in arms who have passed on. “This honour is for my friends and the rest of te iwi Màori, for the families of the fallen and those who remain overseas,” Sir Bom explained.

Not one to be in the spotlight, he doesn’t enjoy all of the attention that comes with being made a Knight Companion. He’s not used to all the public stuff and in his own words he says,

“It is very humbling to be the last man standing, of the 28 Māori Battalion.”

Needless to say he won’t be going by Sir Robert, he prefers Bom or Koro Bom as he is known across Te Arawa.

In the days following the announcement of the New Year’s honour, Bom had to leave his house during the day because the telephone was ringing flat out.

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March 2022

WAIRARAPA MOANA

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mailer Bom Gillies with whanau in Rotorua

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When out and about, he said people were saying hello to him and he didn’t even know them.

In 2019, he was made a Cavaliere (Knight) of the Italian Republic for assisting them in fighting fascism. At the time,

Born 14 February 1925, Robert ‘Bom’ Gillies (Ngāti Kahungunu, Te Arawa) was 14 years old when World War II broke out.

He tried to enlist twice but was turned away because he was too young. In February 1942 on his third attempt, a 17 year-old Bom Gillies was enlisted (after giving a false birthdate).

He was wounded at Orsogna in 1943 but recovered and continued to fight with the battalion until the end of the war.

he told the Italian Ambassador that it was an honour for the battalion, and ‘the Màori people at large.’ It would be safe to say, he is the only person we know with two Knighthoods in two different countries.

More than 3600 men served with the 28 Màori Battalion in Greece, Crete, North Africa and Italy. Their casualty rate was almost 50 percent higher than other New Zealand infantry battalions, but they ended the war as one of New Zealand’s most famous and decorated units.

For Bom, the end of the war came when he was up at Trieste, way up north, right on the border. On Boxing Day 1945, 780 Màori Battalion troops boarded the Dominion Monarch at Taranto for the journey home. Nearly a month later they were welcomed home in Wellington.

His age would suggest that he is old, but don’t let that fool you. He has a sharp mind, is agile and fit and he attributes surviving the war and his good health to luck. He says he’s just lucky, that’s all.

In the decades since the war, Bom Gillies has been active in his efforts to continue to recognise the battalion, representing it at events in New Zealand and abroad. An active member of the Te Arawa Returned Services Association, holding several roles, and is a member of the Waikite Rugby Club and he was instrumental in establishing the current clubrooms.

In celebration of a truly humble Rangatira – Tà Bom Gillies.

Ake ake kia kaha e!

Photos: Courtesy of RNZ.

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Mahi.co.nz Celebrates Business Award

Ko Rangitūmau tōku maunga Ko Ruamahanga tōku awa Ko Rangitāne o Wairarapa me Ngāti Wai ōku iwi Ko Te Ore Ore tōku marae Ko Ngāti Hāmua tōku hapū Ko Pori Rimene-Workman taku ingoa Mahi.co.nz has just won the Asia Pacific Business Award (APAC) for the Best Māori -Focused Employment Website 2021.

Mahi.co.nz is proud of this international recognition which has seen exponential growth in sales and success in the last few years.

It is now clear after twenty years of sustainable business that Mahi.co.nz was ahead of its time as an innovative and bold on-line job board when job hunting on-line was not the norm.

Mahi.co.nz is a specialist-focus job advertising site for employers who require skills or experience in Màoritanga, Te Reo or Tikanga Màori. Plus, it provides a one-stop shop for job seekers who possess these qualities.

Vacancies come from all over Aotearoa, New Zealand, including the public and private sectors and those based on kaupapa Màori values.

Mahi.co.nz was the first and, for over twenty years, is still the largest employment site of its kind, advertising full and part time jobs ranging from entry to executive appointments.

Mahi.co.nz is proud to be 100% Māori owned.

Pori Rimene-Workman holding the trophy – Winner of the APAC Business Award in the category of – Best Māori-Focused Employment Website 2021.

In addition to advertising vacancies on site, Mahi.co.nz has always produced a weekly email pànui of the latest jobs, which is sent to its Te Ao Màori networks and job seekers. This has ensured wide reach and maintained many extensive contacts. The pànui database increases every year and includes those returning home from overseas, of which there has been a huge increase since the advent of Covid-19.

Covid-19 spot-lighted the relevance and endurability of the business. An advantage of an on-line business is the capacity to remain live regardless of location. It was easy to adapt to working from home and continue to take care of business on a daily basis.

Mahi.co.nz continues to be a culturally uplifting company that endorses and celebrates inclusivity and diversity while promoting employment.

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Supreme Court hears Wai 85 Claim On 9-10 February 2022 Wairarapa Moana Incorporation’s appeal to the Supreme Court was heard by Chief Justice, Helen Winkelmann, and Justices Williams, Young, O’Regan and Glazebrook in Wellington.

Wairarapa Moana Incorporation Committee of Management was joined at the Supreme Court by Tà Kim Workman (former member of the Pouàkani No 2 committee in the 1980s) and John Stevens (former Legal Counsel for Wairarapa Moana Incorporation). Both Tà Kim and John have been with us on the very long journey to have Wai 85 settled in a way which is fair to Wairarapa Moana owners and the wider whànau.

Pathway to the Supreme Court In 2017 Wairarapa Moana Incorporation applied to the Waitangi Tribunal to have lands previously in its ownership at the Maraetai Dam on the Waikato River returned. This application was based on findings of the Waitangi Tribunal in its 2010 Wairarapa ki Tararua report of Treaty breaches in respect of our lands at Pouàkani, including the compulsory taking of land for the Waikato hydro scheme.

In 2020 the Waitangi Tribunal in a preliminary determination indicated that it was likely to recommend return of the lands at Pouàkani to a body representative of all descendants of the original Ngàti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa owners.

This preliminary determination of the Waitangi Tribunal was appealed by the Crown, Mercury and Raukawa to the High Court.

The High Court’s decision in March 2021 was that the land has to be restored to mana whenua and found that the Tribunal’s approach in its 2020 preliminary

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John Stevens, Kingi Smiler and Sonya Rimene outside the Supreme Court

determination was inconsistent with tikanga. Wairarapa Moana Incorporation appealed that decision to the Court of Appeal.

In October 2021 Wairarapa Moana Incorporation was successful in getting the Supreme Court to hear its appeal direct (effectively “leapfrogging” over the Court of Appeal).

It is unusual for the Supreme Court to agree to such an application. They do so only if they consider it to be in the interests of justice and there are exceptional circumstances.

On the eve of our hearing by the Supreme Court, the Crown introduced Te Rohe o Rongokako Joint Redress Bill and the Ngàti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa Tàmaki Nui-à-Rua Claim Settlement Bills to Parliament.

“The Committee of Management are disappointed but not surprised that the Crown decided to ignore the recommendations of the Waitangi Tribunal and proceed with the introduction of legislation to Parliament which extinguishes the Wai 85 claim,” said Kingi Smiler, Chair of Wairarapa Moana Incorporation.

The Waitangi Tribunal’s November 2021 report said the Ngàti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa Tàmaki Nui-à-Rua Settlement Trust does not hold the mandate to settle Wai 85 (Wairarapa Moana Incorporation claim) and Wai 429 (Ngai Tùmapùhia-a-rangi).

This report ‘depict a flawed and unfair settlement process for which the Crown is responsible.’ It recommended the Crown postpone the introduction of settlement legislation,

allow scheduled litigation to take its course, and help the iwi resolve conflicts it has played a part in causing during the settlement process.

Wairarapa Moana Incorporation does not wish to hold up the rest of the Ngàti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa Tàmaki Nuià-Rua settlement.

“That would be unfair on them. Just as it is unfair on Wairarapa Moana Incorporation and Ngai Tùmapùhia-arangi to have our two claims wrongly included in the Deed of Settlement and Settlement legislation.”

Next Steps We now await the decision of the Supreme Court, but in the meantime, we are expecting the Ngàti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa Tàmaki Nui-à-Rua Claim Settlement Bill to have its first reading in Parliament, and then be referred to a Select Committee. We are preparing for the Select Committee process and will be seeking shareholder and whànau support to oppose the inclusion of Wai 85 in settlement legislation.

A Walk Down Memory Lane This whànau was identified as the Paku whànau shearing gang of Okautete (Homewood), on the Wairarapa coast south of Riversdale.

From left: Marara (Maggie), her sons Hikairo (George), Herman, and Matiaha (Matt); Maggie’s husband Kahutiaterangi (Kahu); son Hoani (Johnny) and daughter, Te Ahi Kohai (Kay).

The photo was taken in 1937.

Photo and information courtesy of: The Wool Shed Museum, Masterton

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More memories from the 1970s John Stevens recounts further experiences at Mangakino in the 1970s and a kaumātua’s story of an earlier visit to Pouākani.

While attending the Supreme Court hearing of the Incorporation’s appeal against the High Court decision, about which you will read more in this issue of the Mailer, I was reminded of a story told to me by Iraia Te Whaiti.

I have some difficulty reconciling the timing of this adventure, as the Main Trunk Railway was opened in 1908.

Perhaps there are some whànau memories of this.

Iraia told me that, as a young boy, he had been taken by his father and uncle to visit the Pouàkani lands. He recounted that they had travelled by sea to Whanganui and then by steamer up the river to Pipiriki, followed by coach to Raetihi, where they hired horses and travelled across country.

During the Supreme Court hearing, counsel for Raukawa asserted that, as the land for the dam was taken before any Wairarapa Màori had occupied it, they could not now claim any special interest in it, other than as title owners.

However, when questioned by Justice Joe Williams, he had to concede that there was no evidence either way.

That could be said about any particular spot on a large block of land. However, I’m sure that there is evidence that Wairarapa owners visited Pouàkani before the Government started work there, even if they didn’t actually stand on the dam site!

And when whànau did visit Mangakino, at about the time construction finished, what did they find? When I first visited in the early 1970s there was still plenty of evidence of how the township had been in its heyday. Although the industrial, commercial, and residential sections were handed over to the Incorporation when the Crown lease was ended, a large proportion of the land had been taken for community facilities such as the golf course, sports clubs, schools, cottage hospital and the other government and council buildings and roads and infrastructure. The leased area was certainly not all handed back.

The Crown’s leasing scheme, marketing of which was managed by the Auckland real estate agency, Barfoot and Thompson, enabled the Crown to sell houses and other buildings, while the Incorporation was required to grant a perpetual land lease to the buyer. The buyers had the benefit of all the facilities provided on land taken from the Wairarapa owners.

The sale and lease scheme were so important for Barfoot and Thompson that it is recounted in a whole chapter in a history of the firm.

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John Stevens

One important facility, no doubt for the locals because of its public bar, was the Mangakino Hotel developed and operated by a major Auckland hotel chain. During the early post-war period a new style of hotel came into fashion, sometimes described as a ‘motor hotel’.

Government policy was to encourage tourism. They provided better quality accommodation than found in traditional country hotels, with en-suite bathrooms, private bars, and recreational facilities for guests. The Mangakino Hotel was a mini version of this, with aspirations to provide city-quality accommodation. The original clientele would have included Government officials and consultants visiting what had become the base for Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest infrastructure project since WW2.

By the 1970s the hotel was struggling for custom but was a convenient place for the Committee of Management to stay. It retained all the trappings of a high-class hotel, including a private lounge bar and full dining room service, including starched white tablecloths, silver service embossed with the hotel chain badge and a full menu. For a while we were also offered entertainment.

Whanganui River.

Photo courtesy Charmaine Kawana Mangakino Hotel.

Photo provided courtesy Westerman Property Solutions Ltd

RETURNED MAIL ...

Where are you?

For an additional cover charge, one could enjoy an entertainment after dinner, which sometimes included a small theatrical production presented by the young Hori Ahipene, now famous as an actor.

However, the hotel did not have a night porter and the accommodation wing was locked in the evenings. If you arrived while the public bar was still open, you could be let in that way. Otherwise, unless you had taken a key with you, there was no way in without waking other guests.

On one occasion Rana Waitai, (who especially appreciated the menu and was known to have up to six eggs for breakfast) returned in the early hours of the morning and, not having a key, attempted entry through his bedroom window. He succeeded with dramatic effect crashing onto the floor with resulting groaning and swearing, waking me in the adjoining room, but not appreciating my enquiry as to whether he was OK!

The Incorporation has had mail returned to the office for the following shareholders or trustees.

If you are able to provide any relevant information or contact details, please contact Ngaere on 06 370 2608 or 0800 662 624 or ngaere@wairarapamoana.org.nz Richard Nathan Petuha Tahu Potiki Petuha Whānau Trust James Donald Clayton Jason Taueki Wiremu Te Kapu Tawhiti Koriki Tama Love William Moana Reti Hine Pae Kawariki Tibble Hapai Gerrard Rea Lewis Rua McDonald Phillip John Ferguson

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Matenga whānau.

Kohunui Marae He kakano ahau i ruia mai i Rangiatea (I am a seed which was sown in the heavens of Rangiatea) Marae renovations contracted with Tipoki Building are expected to be completed by the end of March 2022.

Kohunui is still engaging with Green Jersey Martinborough Cycle Tours every Sunday from November through until May. Matiu Te Maari, the son of Terry Te Maari, is an employee of Green Jersey. With the Marae still undergoing renovations we are having a mihi whakatau at Lacewood (Tuhitarata). When the Marae is re-opened, we will be holding a pòwhiri at Kohunui.

The Kohunui urupa has a committee to keep the grounds maintained where whànau are on a monthly rostering system. Thanks to the Matenga whànau for their mahi recently.

Kohunui is undertaking the Freshwater Cultural Monitoring alongside the Wairarapa Moana Restoration Project. Our next KFCmp hui is March 2022 at Kohunui Marae.

Kohunui Native Plant Nursery started being developed after the Covid-19 lockdown in 2020. The nursery foundations were excavated by Robert Carter and Vic Te Maari. The nursery’s shade house and potting shed were built by Tipoki Building. The tunnel house was erected by Brendon Kipa and the fence/shade house extension posts were put up by Johnny Rawhiti.

We may never have been able to establish our native nursery without the expert advice from the Haemata consultant team, especially Mark Fell.

Our funders to make the nursery possible are DOC, GWRC, SWDC and Aorangi Restoration Trust.

From Top (L-R): Excavation; Vic Te Maari and Robert Carter; Potting Shed; Tunnel House.

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Marae Update Te Rangimarie Marae Well, here we are again starting a New Year. 2021 gave us a few headaches with Covid-19 playing fast and loose with plans on the Marae.

Bookings fell by the wayside as Covid set in and mandates around safety changed how we do things. Services in Te Hepara Pai were set around caution, as we set about the new normals; signing in, masking up and sitting a metre apart.

Passing “kia tau te rangimarie” without close contact is just not the same. Receiving Eucharist in one kind only (no chalice) is indeed strange but it’s a new world and we must adapt.

John Hancox checking out the nursery.

We are contracted to grow native plants for Aorangi Restoration Trust.

Kohunui Native Plant Nursery is a limited liability company with some of the Marae trustees as the directors.

Business began on the 1st April 2021 and on May 10th, Riki Te Tau started as the Project Manager.

Kohunui Marae trustees wish to express their gratitude to Andrea Rutene and other whànau and community members who gave their time to help establish the native plant nursery.

Kohunui Marae Trustees 2021/22 Teresa Aporo

Marae Chair

0220663088

Anne Firmin

Deputy Chair

0276854976

Terry Te Maari

Treasurer

020409124

Cassandra Connolly

Secretary

02108154467

Violet Edwards-Hina Bookings Officer Lee Kuini Flutey King Tipoki

Urupa Kaitiaki Fresh Water Monitor

02041478088 0226098206

Trustee Building Maintenance 0274116211

Aperahama Matenga Kaumàtua

0274579756

The overnight stays became too hard for us to deal with if we were going to be obedient to the mandates, so it was decided to close down while we see where Covid is going to take us.

During this time, we lost our very dear kaumàtua, Hineari Babbington, (Ngàti Porou) beloved of our church whànau, loved and honoured in the kura and kohanga communities and loved and honoured in both worlds, Màori and Pàkeha. Gracious and delightful always; a living example of grace, strength, and compassion.

May she Rest in Peace Hineari Babbington and Arise in Glory.

Christmas is always a busy time on a church Marae. We mark the four weeks prior as Advent, a thoughtful prayerful time when we prepare ourselves for the arrival of the Christ child. We hear the stories of old, are reminded of Jesus’s whakapapa and how the prophets told of a Messiah coming from the line of King David. We light a new candle each week for Hope, Peace, Joy and Love: tùmanako, rangimarie, koa, aroha; four things Christ stood for and things to strive for in this world.

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Marae Update Te Rangimarie Marae

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Seasonal Farm update Tēnā koutou The peak of the busy calving and mating period is now behind us.

The drystock farms tried an innovative mating programme this year using synchronisation to mate the heifers with advanced genetics to quicken the pace of herd improvement. This went well with a high heifer pregnancy rate.

The dry spell came a little earlier this year with a string of hot days burning off leaf and clover, significantly reducing pasture cover in January. Fortunately, reliable rain preceding this event allowed the dairy farms to achieve strong silage yields from the drystock units. More recently we received good rain events in early February which will hopefully put us in a strong feed position going into the autumn. Milk production has been a bit off the pace season to date (a national phenomenon), which will be more than made up for with a predicted record milk payment.

On Christmas Eve we had a service on the àtea in the lovely evening air which was attended by about forty people. Christmas Day had a 9.30am service and next day was Sunday so another 9.30am service. You really were spoilt for choice.

Sunday 30 January 2022 was our annual trip to St Peters by the Sea at Castlepoint. Bus left Te Hepara Pai in the morning and the day was spent there. A pot-luck lunch was held at the home of one of our worshippers. The weather report was predicted to be 30°, so togs were a great plan!!!

Not sure where Covid is taking us in 2022 but it does seem to be a bumpy ride at present. Income is down but with God’s help we’ll survive. Let’s hold tight to our faith and move on with assurance and faith that all will be well.

Best wishes for 2022 to you all.

Robin Irwin, Secretary

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Wairarapa Moana Incorporation

Covid has put us under some pressure, but the farming teams have a good vaccination rate enabling us to have better health outcomes as Covid passes through the community. The Christmas function had to be replaced by a roving “Santa on a trailer” as the operations and leadership team drove round small gatherings on individual farms with small gifts for the children and hams for the staff. Whilst low key, it was well received and it wasn’t just the kids that appreciated Mr Whippy!

Plans are now afoot to continue with tree planting into the future, with a focus of steeper land on the dairy farms being identified for potential permanent native tree planting.

This will lead to positive environmental outcomes through reduced nitrogen leaching and increased carbon capture reducing our greenhouse gas footprint.

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WAIRARAPA MOANA

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Notification of a Deceased Shareholder Death is never easy to announce; and we will all find ourselves in this situation at some time in our lives.

Now and then the office is unaware that a shareholder has passed away and correspondence and the Wairarapa Moana Mailer will continue to be sent to the deceased shareholder’s address.

It would be greatly appreciated if whànau could let the office know of shareholders who have passed on.

Give us a call so we can update the share register and support the whànau to succeed.

He kokonga whare e kitea, he kokonga ngākau e kore e kitea.

The corners of a house may be seen and examined, not so the corners of the heart.

This whakataukì indicates that where we can visibly see the corners of a house, we do not have the ability to see the inner thoughts or feelings of a person. This reminds us to take care when engaging with others, as we are not aware of what may be happening for them or in their lives.

Contact Ngaere on 0800 662 624 or ngaere@wairarapamoana.org.nz

Wairarapa Moana: The Lake and Its People Bringing you short snippets from the book to encourage you to read and increase your knowledge of this taonga. Enjoy!

Chapter 9: Water: Flooding, Farming and the Wetlands. Written by Ian Gunn.

“At the time of European settlement, the Wairarapa Moana area was a series of connected wetlands”

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Described in a Ministry of Works publication – Towards the mouth, the Ruamahanga River enters Lake Wairarapa, and shortly afterwards leaves it to flow into Lake Onoke, which is really a lagoon and thence to the sea at Palliser Bay. Extreme conditions of flooding in the lower lake areas occur when the shingle outlet of Lake Onoke is blocked and the lake levels are high, thus leaving no ponding volume for the flood waters. Large areas of land become inundated . . .

WAIRARAPA MOANA MERCHANDISE

Can You Help

The office has a selection of Wairarapa Moana books and clothing available for purchase. To place an order, contact info@wairarapamoana.org.nz or visit our website shop at www.wairarapamoana.org.nz/shop/

IHIPERA WHANA WHANA

WAIRARAPA MOANA: THE LAKE AND ITS PEOPLE

The office is holding substantial unclaimed dividends for Ihipera and we are attempting to locate any descendants/rightful beneficiaries and would appreciate any information that may bring a successful result. This is what we know about Ihipera:

The story of the North Island’s third largest lake complex from history to environmental problems.

Ihipera was married to a Thomas Potten (Potton), and they lived and farmed at Pukio, south Wairarapa. Ihipera was a niece of Whana Himona, of Pukio, and was also related to Pirika Ruka aka Kapakapa Ruka, who also lived at Pukio.

Ihipera was known by several names: Ihipera Whana; Ihipera Whano; Ihipera Potten; Pera Potton (Potten); Pera Whana Whana; Bella Potten.

It is believed that Ihipera lived or stayed for a time at Whangara in later life.

Ihipera died on 1 May 1960 and is buried at the Greytown Cemetery, her husband, and son William, having pre-deceased her.

Wairarapa Moana has added some colour to the selection of clothing available for purchase.

T SHIRT

Colour: Charcoal Sizes: S – 3XL Price: $20.00 100% Micro Polyester Keeps You Cool & Dry Anti-Shrink, Anti-Fade Fabric

T SHIRT

Colour: Denim Sizes: S – 3XL Price: $20.00 100% Premium Cotton Stretch & Shape Recovery Long Lasting & Durable

POLO SHIRT

Colour: Cyan Sizes: S – 3XL Price: $28.00 100% Micro Polyester Anti-Shrink, Anti-Fade Fabric Quick Drying

POLO SHIRT

Men’s and Women’s Colours: Black or White Sizes: S – 3XL Price: $28.00 each

SLEEVELESS VESTS

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Contact Ngaere on 370 2608 or 0800 662 624 or email ngaere@wairarapamoana.org.nz

Men’s and Women’s Colour: Black Sizes: S – 3XL Price: $56.00 each

CAPS and BEANIES

Colours: Black or Navy Blue (One size fits all) Price: $12.00 each

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Aroha Geange Past Scholarship Recipient Ko Ko Ko Ko Ko Ko Ko Ko Ko

Tararua te maunga Waiohine te awa Takitimu te waka Ngāti Kahungunu te iwi Ngāti Moe te hapū Papawai te Pā Taratahi tōku kāinga Geange tōku whānau Aroha tōku ingoa

Study/where/length: I started studying the Bachelor of Nursing in 2016 at UCOL Masterton. I completed my degree December 2020, graduating in March 2021.

Whakapapa (Which original owner): #67 Pou Manihera.

Aspirations from beginning to end of study: Over many years I had always thought of becoming a nurse but didn’t voice this thought to anyone. I worked in many jobs from lifeguarding at the town pool, hospitality doing café/bar work to selling insurance in Australia for various banks, to working in a 5-star restaurant overlooking Sydney Harbour Bridge.

After five years living in Australia, I moved home and I started dairy farming, milking cows for three years then I completed a course at UCOL in Exercise Performance Level 4 where I went on to work as a personal trainer at a women’s gym in Porirua/Paraparaumu. I enjoyed this job, however, with my work hours cut back significantly I needed to find alternative work. Following that I went on to work at the Defence Force Army Camp in Trentham as a Steward in the messes for six months and was seconded into Rations/Finance as a clerk for the Hospitality Platoon until 2015 where, unfortunately, restructuring occurred.

ESS, a civilian company, took over the reins therefore, not only me but all civilians in our platoon had to find alternative employment. We were given first choice for jobs within the camp and I found a position at the

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Army Medical Centre as the ACC/Clerk. Not long after, restructuring occurred again and by this stage I had had enough going from job to job.

Having had the experience around the nurses I was working with, it finally gave me the push that I needed to pursue my nursing career. I liked the idea of being able to work in so many areas of nursing, there is such a broad range of job opportunities within nursing you can pursue.

There was also doubt clouding my mind – three years full time study felt like a very long time and with a 1½ year old baby boy I wondered if I was doing the right thing.

There were definitely very challenging times throughout my four years of study where I felt like I wanted to give up. Many late nights trying to meet deadlines with completing essays and studying for exams was the most stressed I’ve ever felt in my entire life. All I kept thinking about was, I had to keep going because I knew by achieving this degree it would be a better future for my whànau and me.

What benefits did the Wairarapa Moana grant provide to help you: I was very fortunate to have received the grant three times throughout my study. This benefited hugely as it was used towards any resources I needed to purchase for studying, such as: Nursing books, stationery, uniform, shoes, and fees. It was one less thing to worry about knowing I had this grant to help pay towards anything I needed. Very, very grateful indeed.

Education Funding What are your future plans: My future plans are to gain as much knowledge and skills throughout my nursing career and eventually specialise in a particular area of nursing. This is my second year in nursing and I am unsure as yet to know exactly what area I would like to specialise in. I like the fact we have the option of working in all areas of nursing. Whether it’s in your hometown or overseas, everywhere needs nurses.

Are you in employment, where: I am currently employed with the Wairarapa DHB at Masterton Hospital as a Registered Nurse working in the Rehabilitation Ward. I started on the 22 November 2021, still fairly new, however I am enjoying the new role and the challenges I face daily.

Prior to working at the hospital, I was still working for the Wairarapa DHB but as a Covid Vaccinator. I started that role in June 2021 until December 2021. I still work the odd day vaccinating, filling in when needed, however, my main role is working at the hospital.

Is there any advice you would give to other Wairarapa Moana recipients: If you were ever in my shoes thinking about pursuing a career and not sure whether you should follow through, just think about the long-term benefits of when you complete your degree, what a better, brighter future you and your whànau will have. You will only have regrets if you don’t do it. Follow your heart.

Aroha Geange

Scholarships are available to descendants of an original Wairarapa Moana owner. Criteria is applied to all funding.

FUTURE LEADERS SCHOLARSHIPS Open Monday 21 February Closing 12.00pm Thursday 31 March 2022 Ngà Kete o Te Wànanga – Tertiary Scholarships are targeted at students studying a diploma, degree, Masters or PhD. Ngà Mahi À-Rehe – Trade Training & Apprenticeship Scholarships are provided to those studying and working towards a trade or an apprenticeship.

POUTAMA FUND GRANT There is no closing date and applications are available until the annual funding is used. Particularly useful to Wairarapa Moana descendants wanting to "Bridge a Gap" towards pre-requisite study to get into a three-year degree, or to complete a certificate, or a license for enhanced employment opportunities.

TE KETE URUURU TAU SCHOLARSHIPS Two special scholarships available to various fields within agri-business.

Enquiries welcome, applications are available from the office, contact Dallas on 06 370 2608 or 0800 662 624 or email trust@wairarapamoana.org.nz

Find out more ...

WM Facebook

Shareholder Search – Can you help?

Join us on Facebook as we share everything from on farm action to trust scholarships, wànanga and waiata, through to our history, news and photos.

https://www.facebook.com/WairarapaMoanaInc

WM Website

We would like your help to trace descendants of shareholder

For information, news and events.

VIOLET DOREEN RUKA

https://www.wairarapamoana.org.nz

Any information you may be able to share with us will be most appreciated.

Call Ngaere on 0800 662 624 or email ngaere@wairarapamoana.org.nz

WM Waiata on YouTube Check out the Wairarapa Moana YouTube channel and listen to the collection of waiata.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/ UCRBU5TvlRmJXh8atuVppAnw

15

WAIRARAPA MOANA

mailer

50 Unclaimed Dividends CHANGE TO Shareholder Bank Accounts

If you are able to provide any information that can help us to make contact with these shareholders or their descendants, please contact the office on 06 370 2608 or 0800 662 624 or email ngaere@wairarapamoana.org.nz

Banks have now gone cheque-free.

RIPEKA KAIWARAKIHI IHIPERA WHANA WHANA LUCY RIWAI NGAHINA TE IHI TE AORURU RANGITAUIRA RAHERA TE IRIHINAHINA PUINGA JURY RUMATIKI KINGI RANGI KAKAPI THOMPSON IRA RANGIPAI LOVE DION CAROL MORRIS IRAIPA HEHE JANICE TUI ROSS KAREN KINGI JOYCE OPIE NINIWA KINGI MAY AGNES FLUTEY ROBERT PAUL HILLS MANGA RENATA BROWN EMILY LAURA OWEN HUIA HORIANA IHIPERA J HOLMES PAREKURA RANGIHAEA RICE HENARE HARE HUTANA FAMILY TRUST JAMES HIMONA ESTATE HURIA JEANETTE MILLER

If you are living overseas, dividends will only be paid by direct credit to your overseas bank account or to your New Zealand bank account if you have one.

If you are living in New Zealand, payment of dividends will continue to be direct credited to your New Zealand bank account.

Thank you to all our shareholders who have provided new or updated postal addresses and bank account details.

To update your shareholder details please contact Ngaere Webb by email

ngaere@wairarapamoana.org.nz or call 0800 662 624 or 06 370 2608.

Ngaere is available Monday to Thursday 9.30am to 3.00pm.

RETA CARLSON KOHITAU VADIERA WILLIAMS LEONARD TE HIKO TAMIHANA WHÀNAU TRUST TE KIRI PATITO HERANGI CHRIS NEVILLE PARKINSON MERE WHATURANGI PRICE PAUL ROBERT LOVE GEORGE WHETU KARAITIANA LEAH MANIHERA WARETINI WIREMU TE WHAITI VIOLET DOREEN RUKA TAURIPO KINGI TAKA RIKI ESTATE HENRY FONTAINE KAWANA KALVARNE EDWARDS RIPEKA VAIOULU GEORGE TAIPIHA BEVERLEY MARGARET OHIA RANGIMARIE STAFFORD PAEATERANGI PANAU TAMATI LESLEY RAE ANDREWS RANGI MCGREGOR KERYLEE JAN ANARU HENARE MAAKA II

Would you like to share a pānui or news item with the wider whānau…. we’d love to hear from you. The date for the next Mailer issue is: ISSUE

CLOSING DATE

DISTRIBUTION BY POST

66

Tuesday, May 17, 2022

Friday, June 17, 2022

Contact us on 06 370 2608 or 0800 662 624 or info@wairarapamoana.org.nz

Contac

Moana a p a r a r i ting Wa

If you have any queries please contact Charmaine Kawana, Dallas Gillies, Amethyst Tauese or 16 Ngaere Webb at the Masterton office.

Office Hours: 8.30am to 5.00pm Monday to Thursday; closed Friday.

Freepost 158415 PO Box 2019 Kuripuni, Masterton 5842

Wairarapa Moana House 4 Park Avenue Masterton 5810

Phone: 06 370 2608 Freephone: 0800 662 624

Email: info@wairarapamoana.org.nz Website: www.wairarapamoana.org.nz