Kia ora koutou, another month has flown by bringing us into August. Whānau are starting to get organised for another whitebait season, let’s hope our awa is kind and generous.

Many achievements have been made amongst our whānau and we are all very excited to announce them.

Tilly-Jan Miller born Friday 13 July, weighing 6lb, 14oz.

Haere mai kā pēpi

Great pōua and tāua Hector and Hilda (Tilly) Tainui of Arahura are proud and delighted to announce the arrival of their 43rd mokopuna tuarua (great grandchild) Tilly-Jan Miller. She is the first child for Andrea Read and Michael Miller, and another moko for Rititia and the late Andy Read.

Rā whānau

Danealla Mason, Andre Mehrtens, Amber Blacktopp, Demi Russell, Tamati Tainui and Jordan Hutana.

Congratulations
– kā mau te wehi!

Whānau are extremely proud and honoured to express their congratulations to Zak Mason. Young former kumara musician Zak Mason has landed his big break in Australia, opening for American pop sensation Kelly Clarkson alongside The Voice finalist Sarah De Bono.

Zak Mason, who will be opening for Kelly Clarkson.

Kelly Clarkson has been one of the hottest female singers on the international stage, since winning the first American Idol in 2002.

The gig is the result of years of hard work and savvy self-promotion from Mason and De Bono. They are long-time friends and travelled between New Zealand and Melbourne to write music and perform together.

The tour will take Mason and De Bono to Brisbane on 25 September, Melbourne on 1 October and Adelaide on 3 October.

Papa David Mason said, ‘There has always been music in the family, but when Zak picked up the guitar at age 14 they were amazed at how quickly he learned.

‘He had it right from the start. His first solo performance was at Jones Cafe, in Greymouth. We just sat there in awe.’

Brooke Parker (GA) and Elly Mulhollan (WA).

 

Hokitika Under 13 netball

Congratulations Brooke Parker and Elly Mulhollan on making the Hokitika Under 13 netball team. Brooke and Elly played three tournaments through July and August.

Fun day with the Tactix

Hokitika rangatahi had a fun day learning netball skills from the Canterbury Tactix. All the tamariki enjoyed their experience with the players.

Lucy Tonihi with Ellen Halpenny.

Keisha Grant with Brooke Parker.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hokitika Primary school’s kiwi netball team

The team with their school principle John Doonan and Hokitika Netball Association President Val Henry. Tamariki from back left; Kaedance Mehrtens, Savannah Page, Haley Kelsen, Lucy Tonihi, Zion Meihana-Whittle, Lilly Sheild. Bottom left, Aleigha Ngaamo, Kaiah Priest, Anika Ngaamo (team mascot), Karera Wallace-Jones and Nikitah Russell.

When this little team began last netball season, none of them had played before. They were all so keen and eager to learn the sport. Their commitment and dedication to netball is like that of future Silver Ferns. They are exceptional for their age (7-9) always hungry for the ball and work together as a team. They finished their netball season with a round robin tournament in Hokitika, playing five games; winning four and drawing the other. Whānau are incredibly proud of their growth and passion for the sport and they can’t wait for next season. Tū meke tamariki mā, a big mihi to Alesha (Lil) McDermott and Hamiria Hutana for their coaching and commitment to the tamariki.

Netball team receiving certificates at the end of the season.

Fusion Dance Crew holiday wānanga

In the second week of the July school holidays Fusion Dance Crew along with a few new tamariki had their second hip hop wānanga for the year. The crew was made up of 20 Ngāti Waewae tamariki from ages three to 12. These tamariki continue to step up their game, learning harder choreography, and learning how to hear the movement in the music. Fusion finished their wānanga by performing to their parents, tāua and pōua, which was followed by a hākari.

Chantal Tumahai would like to thank all the parents and kaumātua that continue to show so much aroha to our tamariki. Also a big thank you to Nell and Hamiria for your mean kai. Chantal would also like to thank Fusion Dance Crew for all your awesome hard work and effort, making her proud every time she watches you perform.

Fusion Dance Crew and whānau would like to give a big thank you to Chantal for all her hard work, time and excellent choreography she prepares for the tamariki.

Ngā mihi nui ki a koe Chantal.

Next wānanga the tamariki will be doing things a bit different as we are now going to add in another two classes, kapa haka and taiaha, so watch this space.