Kia ora koutou whānau,
Well time flies when you are having fun, whānau will be away to the Tītī Islands and just like that they will be home again and it will be May. Not forgetting our succulent tio as well, yummy tītī and tio.

Murihiku Marae has been having all sorts of hui and different meetings – all good too. Lots of little but essential things have happened like our kaumātua went to see the Māori Quartet and they very much enjoyed it – it was a good night out. We have our community garden going well, some teething problems but otherwise all ka pai and some whānau are being given fresh vegetables grown at Murihiku Marae and it’s a good relationship between us and the community. Excellent job! A big shout out to all our whānau overseas and those that are living away from Murihiku, tēnā koutou ngā whanauka mihi aroha we hope you are all well, cheers whānau. To all the whānau that have had new pēpi congratulations from Waihōpai whānau and the same for all our birthday whānau – a big congratulations to you guys as well. And most importantly to our whānau that have lost a loved one since our last kōrero. Waihōpai sends their condolences and aroha to you all aroha nui.

It’s time for me to hang up my pen for another month and get on with my mahi. Listen folks take very good care of one another arguing and fighting is not good, hugs and laughter are better ka pai. Nā Squirrel on the Hill, hei konei rā Waihōpai Rūnaka.

Murihiku Māori Warden and volunteers at the World Shearing Champs in Invercargill.

Kaumātua at Hilton High Tea.

Kia ora whānau, I hope you are all well and rested and looking forward to an exciting year ahead. This summer has had its moments – for a start, we have hardly seen the big yellow glow in the sky and when we do it’s blowing a gale. But that’s the way it goes – rain, gales and very little sun. Let us be thankful that we are alive and can enjoy whatever the weather gods send especially here in the southern isles – live and let live and enjoy whānau time.

Nō reira, ngā mihi aroha ki a koutou katoa to the whānau that have lost a loved one, Waihōpai sends their condolences and aroha to you and your whānau, aroha nui. Also a huge congratulations to whānau that have a new addition aroha nui to you and your new pēpi. Cheers whānau. Lastly to all the whānau who have had a birthday over the break, a big congratulations to you all and hope you had a great day.

Kia ora whānau,
Well here we are again another month gone and it’s getting closer to Christmas, yay! (Yeah right I hear you say).

We have had a few hui recently here at Murihiku Marae. South Alive are a group of people working to make South City Invercargill a beautiful place to be and it’s looking really good too, next time you are in Invercargill go to South City and enjoy — cheers whānau.

Child Youth and Family Services held their meeting here. We have a good relationship with Child Youth and Families Services and have been having great kōrero over the three years this has been taking place. Invercargill City Council staff came up to Murihiku Marae for their cultural experience and really enjoyed it too.

James Hargest College kapa haka group had an excellent noho marae. There was plenty of noise coming from the group. The Otago/Southland campus also had a noho marae for their cultural training and everyone thoroughly enjoyed it.

We had a visit from the (hopefully) new Mayor of Wellington, Mr Mick Leggett, his wife Emily and their daughter Maddi.

Remember whānau it’s not hard to say “I love you” — stand up against violence. Kia ora to our Waihōpai whānau outside of paradise. I hope you are all well, let us know how you are and send us some photos please.

Nō reira ngā whānau ki te whānau o ngā mate, aroha nui, aroha nui, aroha nui our deepest condolences for your loss Waihōpai Rūnaka whānau. Ngā mihi aroha,
ki a koutou katoa.

Nā Squirrel on the Hill.

Rodney Trainor and his team of whale bone cleaners that were looked after by Waihōpai Rūnaka.

Invercargill City Council staff at the marae for their cultural experience.

Marcia, Tiaki and Jodi at graduation.

Waihōpai Rūnaka Incorporated

Notice to Intention to Hold a Postal Ballot
Waihōpai Rūnaka Incorporated (“the Rūnaka”) wishes to inform current and potential members of the Rūnaka of its intention to conduct a postal ballot for the purposes of electing the members of the Rūnaka’s Appointment Committee. Once elected, the Appointment Committee will be responsible for appointing the Representative and Alternate Representative of the Rūnaka to represent the interests of the Rūnaka at meetings of Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu.

Please note only those people who have established their entitlement to be members of the Rūnaka and are registered with Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu before 5pm on Wednesday, 3 August 2016 will receive voting papers for this postal ballot. All persons eligible to become a member of the Rūnaka are encouraged to apply to be registered with Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu. Members of the Rūnaka who have previously been registered are encouraged to ensure that their contact details as held by Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu are correct.

Appointment Committee Nominations

Waihōpai Rūnaka is also calling for nominations for the Appointment Committee and you can contact the Waihōpai Rūnaka Office Telephone: 03 216 9074, Fax: 03 216 9916 or email: [email protected] for information regarding criteria and nomination forms. Written forms and requirements are to be received by the Waihōpai Rūnaka office before 5pm on Wednesday, 3 August 2016, to: Waihōpai Rūnaka Office, PO Box 7017, Invercargill 9812.

Kia ora whānau, I hope you are all fit and well and no one has the dreaded flu bug that is going around. Sadly some of our whānau are very māuiui at the moment and it’s not good, especially when there’s nothing you can do about it. All we wish is that they all get well soon – arohanui to you all.

Murihiku Marae has been steady with bookings which is good. Our normal hui have been good too, lots of hui at the marae, i.e. Child Youth and Family Services, prison interviews and programmes. The Otago/Southland combined hui was good.

It’s August, so let’s hope the weather improves. I had new whānau members – some of my long lost whānau visit me. It was great to see them as well as get pictures of whānau.

Well whānau, this is pānui is short but Waihopai are thinking of you all and wish you all the best to those who are or have had birthdays and babies – a huge congratulations to you all arohanui xx.

Take time out whānau to sit, listen and talk to each other, for what we miss today we may never gain tomorrow. Nā Squirrel on the Hill. [Read more…]

Scholarships and grants

Waihōpai Rūnaka has established grants to assist Waihōpai registered whānau members in the following areas:

• Pūtea manaaki
• Kaumātua hardship grant
• Waihōpai Rūnaka education scholarship

These are small one-off annual grants that will provide some assistance for whānau. For further information please phone Jess or email the office on 03 216074 or [email protected]