Congratulations

Congratulations to Maui Uenuku Rakei Ora Brennan (Te Ngāi Tūāhuriri, Ngāti Whakaue-Te Arawa) who has once again had a successful academic year at St Bedes College, Christchurch. He is 17-years-old and is in year 12. Maui is tuakana to Matteo Brennan who is a year nine at the same school.

Some of Maui’s academic achievements for 2015 include excellence in religious education, economics and English; and first in music (level 2). He also gained merit marks in accounting and mathematics. In addition, he was awarded first place for music and religious studies.

Maui also succeeded in some of his extracurricular activities. He performed for the Fourth Order quartet, which won the South Island Barbershop Championship 2015 – they also placed fifth at Barbershop Nationals. He also formed the St Bede’s seven-member jazz band, which went onto receive a bronze award at Jazz Quest. In addition, Maui played in the chamber music group, Follow the Lieder, which qualified in the South Island Chamber Music finals. Well done Maui, your whānau are proud of you.

Maui Brennan.

Maui Brennan.

Mother Earth

(An excerpt from, Lethals Insights)

My feet dig deeper into mother earth
I feel her distress like she’s about to give birth
From side to side I feel her sway
Like she is mad and has something to say
Upon her heart I place my ear
I need to listen need to hear
Thump thump the beats are very strong
Thumping too fast something feels wrong
I begin to massage to ease her pain
Her tears come down it begins to rain
I soak up her tears by rolling on the ground
Every inch of my being I know we are bound
I taste her tears within my mouth
While acknowledging East, West North and South
I let her cradle me in her breast
The rain stops, it’s time for a rest
I tell her my concerns, she kisses my hands
She whispers in my ear, a mother understands.
Nā Lesel Flutey.