KOE KOE Ā
Joanie Wilson, her husband Josh, daughter Bella (14), son Elias (11), her mum Joan Carew along with Joan’s brother Keepa (not pictured) and their dog Nugget, live in Bishopdale, Whakatū. Joanie’s whakakapa connection to Wakatū is through Renata Ohiohi, Ngāti Koata. Joanie is a strategic adviser Māori at the Ministry of Education and is chair of the Ngāti Koata Trust. She has been on the Wakatū outdoor wānanga ahi kaa as well as the whakapapa wānanga, Te Rākau Pakiaka. Her daughter Bella has participated in taiohi wānanga.
TŌ MĀTOU WHARE WILSON WHĀNAU
W
e’ve been in this house just over a year. We chose this spot because of
the amazing views out to the ngahere and
keeps us busy. We’ve got a big, steep
the moana. It was always part of the plan
section, which makes for an interesting
having Mum and Keepa live with us here,
challenge.
so we designed the house with them in
What is most rewarding is that our kids
mind – in fact, Mum’s room is the biggest
see us sowing the seeds of hard work and
in the house! Our lives are busy, so having
they, too, have contributed to both the
a modern home with space for everyone
hard work and our success.
and everything makes life easier. The
Mehemea ka moemoeā ahau, ko ahau
contemporary design has encouraged me
anake, mehemea ka moemoeā tātou,
to keep it simple – I’ve decluttered twice
ka taea tātou.
since we’ve been here. Three of my sisters
If I dream, it is just for me; if we all
live in Whakatū so this house is perfect for
dream, we can do it together; great things
hosting whānau get-togethers. Whānau is
are possible.
everything to me.
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And while the house might make things easier for us, the garden and landscaping
