Rā whānau
On 11 December, Stan Gilmore of Hamilton will celebrate his birthday. Nā Hinga mātou ko Lloyd Whiu ko ngā mokopuna tuatahi me ngā mokopuna tuarua.
Rūnanga website
We have been working on personalising our new website some more, so go to www.puketeraki.co.nz to see the slideshow on our home page. If you have any extra special images you would like us to add to the home page, please send them to [email protected]. Please make sure photos are of a high resolution.
Combined Christmas party
This year’s Christmas party will be held here in Puketeraki, down at the Karitāne foreshore. We have a big day planned, starting at 10.30am. There will be beach cricket, petanque, paddle-boarding, kayaking, waka ama, and of course, a visit from Hana Kōkō.
Everyone is welcome to join in on the fun. If you have a child attending, can you please bring a small gift (under $10) with your child’s name on it. Hana Kōkō will present the gifts, which is always the highlight of the day.
Charitable giving and scholarships
At our annual general meeting on 2 November, we announced that the rūnaka will offer a new suite of charitable giving and scholarship options for members in 2015.
Grants will be given to ease a situation where a modest financial contribution would make a difference, encourage those who are pushing the boundaries and provide a koha towards tangihanga/funeral expenses.
Scholarships include the Tame Parata (senior and junior) scholarship for rangatahi, given to honour the heritage of education, innovation, leadership and service to our iwi left by the Honourable Tame Parata.
The Kaupapa Taiao Junior Scholarship is for a year seven to 11 school pupil, who is involved in environmental kaitiakitanga.
Recipients must accept the scholarships in person at the awards ceremony, which will be held annually, usually at Puketeraki Marae. Please keep an eye out for more information on the education page of our website, or contact Justine Marshall at the rūnaka office for more details: [email protected].