Grantlea Downs kapa haka group
Grantlea Downs kapa haka group performed at the recent Flava festival held in Timaru. Going into the festival they were the current overall champions. Grantlea Downs applied to Te Rūnanga o Waihao Holdings for funding for their piupiu. They looked amazing in their full costume and the judges agreed, awarding them first prize. The group have been to Waihao several times to perform for the whānau.
Grantlea Downs kapa haka group with their new piupiu, which were donated by Te Rūnanga o Waihao Holdings.
Ella Hayes is pictured at front performing with the poi.
Waihao kaumātua – transalpine trip report
Well, a wonderful trip was had by all. It was full of surprises and adventures and the most beautiful scenery, good food and wonderful staff wherever we visited. Everyone had a happy time with lots of laughs. Graham was a very good and patient bus driver and very helpful with all the kaumātua.
We left the marae at 4.50am and arrived at Rolleston at 7am – not much traffic at that time of the day. We waited in the bus until boarding time and boarded at about 8.45am. It was partly foggy all the way and commentary was about the different areas and townships as we passed each one until we arrived at Greymouth. We were comfortable on the train and it was nice and warm.
For breakfast on board we had bacon and egg frittata, blueberry muffin, fruit salad and a hot beverage. Lunch was club sandwiches, vegetable frittata, blueberry muffin, dried fruit, cheese and crackers, grapes and a hot beverage.
We arrived in Greymouth at 12.45pm and visited the i-site. The Recreational Hotel, where we were to stay, sent a taxi and shuttle to pick us up and stowed our luggage in our rooms. Some of us had a rest.
At 2.15pm we had free time. I walked down town and had a look at the shops and walked back again. The bar was well supported and there was a log burner going to keep us all lovely and warm. Dinner was served at 6pm and we had a wonderful meal – very nice indeed!
Breakfast again and the dining room opened at 5.30am so us early birds had bacon, eggs, fresh fruit salad and drinks. At 8.45am we went by bus to Hokitika. The day was beautiful and sunny. We visited the glass factory and watched the glass blowers. There were some beautiful pieces, some of them quite expensive. A short walk took us to the greenstone factories and some purchases were made. We visited the natural ice cream and homemade fudge shop, the goodies being very tasty. We then caught the bus back to Greymouth to catch the train, which left at 1.45pm.
We had a fast trip back although the train stopped at all the stations so that people could photograph the beautiful scenery, and give the smokers a chance for a quick puff. It had snowed and it was a wonderful sight. We had a lovely afternoon tea – a slice of cake and a hot beverage. A lot of us had a nanny nap.
At 6pm we arrived in Rolleston to foggy weather. We arrived at Robbies Bar in Ashburton and had a lovely meal then away on the bus again dropping Gloria and John off at Hinds and then arriving at the marae at 10pm. After unloading it was away home.
This was a great trip. Thank you to Graham for being so patient with us and for driving the bus.
Nā Aerini Boyd.
Oral archives
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Contact: Steve Boyd
Phone: 03 689 4726
Address: 26 Māori Road, Morven, Waimate
Web: www.waihao.maori.nz
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