Ngā mate

Te Rūnanga o Koukourārata would like to extend our heartfelt aroha to all of our whānauka who have lost loved ones over the past months. Nō reira koutou o te huka wairua haere atu rā, moe mai rā i kā peka o tō tātou nei ūkaipō. Mā te Atua koutou katoa e manaaki e tiaki. Āpiti hono tātai hono rātou ki a rātou ka moe, āpiti hono tātai hono tātou te huka ora ka noho, pai mārire.

Nei te rau tāwhiri o Koukourārata

Another month is done and dusted and here we are at the business end of the year. Where does the time go? It’s been a very full year with many comings and goings in the bay. A big mihi to everyone who has contributed to the life of the marae and rūnanga and a special mention to our chair, Charles Crofts, for his ongoing leadership. We would also like to thank Peter Ramsden, Doug Timothy and Riki Lewis for their mahi with our māra kai and reserve projects; and Wade Wereta-Osborn and Kylie Deer for their contributions to the marae and manaaki of our manuhiri. We have a special mihi to Te Aroha Daken for her wonderful meals and upkeep of our marae. Acknowledgement and thanks is also extended to Gloria-Rose Wereta-Osborn (who recently resigned from Manawhenua ki Waitaha), for her diligent representation on this board; to outgoing secretary, Reita Presley and outgoing treasurer, Graeme Page, for their contributions to the rūnanga.

A warm welcome is extended to incoming secretary, Manaia Cunningham and incoming treasurer, Linda Grennell. Thanks is also extended to all our whānau who have supported, attended and contributed to the various hui held over the year. Looking out the office window, all the signs are good for a nice long summer – the evidence is there in cabbage trees that flowered early in late October, early November. So to everyone, have a safe and happy holiday season.

Remember to slip, slop, slap and wear a hat if you’re outside and on behalf of Te Rūnanga o Koukourārata, kā mihi o te wā ki a koutou katoa ahakoa nō hea, ko wai, ka tau te manaaki o te Atua kei ruka i a koe, koutou ko tō whānau i te wā whakatā kei te heke mai nei. Ko te tūmanako ka pūāwai o koutou hiahia ka wawatatia e koutou i tēnei wā. Merry Christmas and a very Happy and prosperous New Year.

2013 Hui-ā-Tau

Nāia te mihi maioha e pāorooro atu ana i Te Pōhue ki a koutou o Kāti Huirapa ki Arowhenua mō ō koutou aroha, ō koutou manaaki i tau i ruka i a mātou te whānau o Koukourārata i tae atu ki te Hui-ā-Tau, ā tō tātou nei pākihi me kī, ko Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu.

Our thanks to Arowhenua for the manaaki given to our whānau, who travelled to the Hui-ā-Tau this year (some from as far as Kirikiriroa/Hamilton). Although only one day focusing on the Pūrongo-ā-Tau, our whānau enjoyed their time in the beautiful rohe of Kāti Huirapa ki Arowhenua.

Manaia Cunningham and  Dione Payne enjoy the spoils of the hākari at the 2013 Hui-ā-Tau.

Manaia Cunningham and Dione Payne enjoy the spoils of the hākari at the 2013 Hui-ā-Tau.

Marae bookings

Summer is nearly here and with it our marae bookings are starting to pick up. To save disappointment please book early. Contact the rūnanga office on 365 3281 or email [email protected] if you wish to make a booking.

Te Pānui Rūnaka contributions

Many thanks to our roving reporters, Manaia Cunningham, the Payne whānau and Brent Ruru for their story contributions. If you have stories for Te Pānui Rūnaka please send them to the rūnaka office (email [email protected] or phone: Adrienne Rewi 0800 524 8248). Don’t be shy, without your stories we can’t submit a column. We look forward to hearing from you.