Summer Sizzler 2023 –with Wairarapa Moana

Descendant Dean Southey

Ko Tararua te maunga

Ko Wairarapa te roto

Ko Papawai te marae

Ko Gavin Southey taku papa

Ko Raewyn Rutene taku mama

Ko Dean Southey taku ingoa

After months of hard training and dedication, Wairarapa Moana descendant, Dean Southey, proudly competed in the Wairarapa Moana sponsored Waikato River Trails Summer Sizzler 22km fun/run walk event, making his way through the stunning trails and farmlands alongside the Waikato River and across the Whakamaru Dam, to eventually finish at Mangakino Lakefront on the shore of Lake Maraetai. Dean was ecstatic to place 11th overall, with a time of 2 hours and 5 minutes and, with that, Dean achieved his goal of enjoying every minute and great preparation for Ironman 2023.

We take a Look at the Mangakino Shuttle Service ...

Having lived and worked in Mangakino for just on thirty years, Peter Shelton and Wairarapa Moana descendant, Lois Te Maari Shelton, started Mangakino Shuttle Service in 2017.

Mangakino Shuttle Service operates out of the Mangakino and Whakamaru areas, which are located near the geographical centre of the North Island of New Zealand, the hub of the North Island Trails and the middle of the Waikato River Trail.

Mangakino Shuttle Service provides a drop-off and pick up service, anywhere accessible by vehicle, along the Trails, and organises accommodation and luggage transfers for customers. Our main focus is on providing transport and information on the Trails for cyclists, walkers and runners, however, due to requests we are now also available for: Airport Shuttles, Concerts, Corporate Events and Day Trips etc.

Over the last five years we have enjoyed the privilege of providing a shuttle service to a range of Wairarapa Moana Incorporation functions and activities, for which we have been very grateful.

You can find us on Facebook and our website is: mangakinoshuttleservice.com Or just ring Peter on: 0274 737 496

According to Potangaroa – who is Professor of Resilient and Sustainable Buildings [Māori Engagement] at Massey University – this is a prime example of how one damaged rural road can have a major impact on local marae. Due to the ruined road, Papauma Marae is “also a badly munted marae … [It] has had its cultural carpet pulled out from underneath it”, he said.

“Our Kaumātua now have a big problem – it’s taking them at least an hour longer to get out to the marae.”

Potangaroa made his remarks during the final hearing of evidence held on Māori adaptations to climate change as part of his submission, which was informed by his work on a study of climate change’s impact on every marae in the country.

Funded by the Building Research Association of New Zealand, the study is expected to be delivered at the end of May.

Potangaroa told the committee the original forecast of when marae would be affected by climate change was “way off”.

“It’s happening now. No one is exactly sure how to respond,” noted Potangaroa, who was one of two Wairarapa leaders who addressed the committee session.