KOE KOE Ā
Photography: Virginia Woolf
KAIMAHI KŌRERO
Meretaka Gemini Stephens NGĀTI RĀRUA, TE ĀTIAWA
I
was born and raised in Motueka. My connection
generation of Wakatū, and now I’m taking my
to Wakatū is through my grandfather Warren
own kids along.
Pahia Stephens, who passed away when I was young.
keen to be there. They meet people and then come
for Auora, the innovation arm of Wakatū, my sister
up to me and say, ‘Oh mum, this is my cousin.
Sissy, who lives in Perth, and my brother Tama,
Did you know this is my cousin?’ I laugh and say
who has recently moved back home to Motueka.
to them, ‘Yes, they’re all your cousins, this is your
My siblings and I have a strong bond. We are really
whānau!’
close. Wakatū has always been part of my life. My mum,
My kids are keen to learn more about their whakapapa, our history. My youngest and oldest
Una Stephens, would take me and my siblings
boys are the spitting image of my grandfather.
along to Wakatū events. I was one of those kids who
It’s very cool to see our whānau line come through
didn’t want to go to the annual general meeting.
so strongly in them.
Now, I’m one of those people who is unhappy if I
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At any of the Wakatū occasions, my kids are so
I have three siblings – my sister Jackie who works
Kono took over Hop Federation, a craft brewery
can’t make it to the annual general meeting. I have
in Riuwaka, in August 2020, and I joined the team
four beautiful children who are part of the next
near the end of that year. I manage the tasting
