The afternoon of Sunday 5 March saw rūnaka members from Te Rūnanga o Ōtākou, Moeraki Rūnanga and Kāti Huirapa Rūnaka ki Puketeraki, along with whanauka from Arowhenua and Waihao, gather at Puketeraki Marae to express their appreciation to Tā Mark following his departure as kaiwhakahaere of Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu.
Tā Mark was accompanied by hākui Ranui Ngarimu as he has been on many occasions in the past. With them was also Ranui’s daughter Mere Karaka.
There was a fine line-up of Upoko to mihi to Tā Mark on behalf of the hākui and whānau. And once the hui opened up others also took the chance to reminisce, acknowledge some of Tā Mark’s achievements and to express thanks to Tā Mark.
The gathering enjoyed the opportunity to hear Tā Mark kōrero about his time as kaiwhakahaere. He attempted to correct the record on a few myths, talk about the circumstances of his election as kaiwhakahare at a Te Rūnanga meeting at Puketeraki Marae in September 1998 as well as cover some of the challenges and achievements of his time chairing the Te Rūnanga table. Tā Mark paid tribute to Kukupa Tirikatene who along with Ranui Ngarimu had travelled with him to many hui and iwi meetings throughout Te Waipounamu and Aotearoa. He also fondly remembered our whanauka, Nicky Walsh. Nicky was Mark’s personal assistant, friend and mentor who passed away in 2008.
The enjoyment of the afternoon was enhanced with laughter and waiata, He Waka Kōtuia were a hit, and there was a fabulous kai to complete the occasion. Tā Mark managed to keep smiling through the numerous photo opportunity requests that came his way. As the final tidy up was being completed everyone agreed kā rūnaka o te Tai Araiteuru had done well in coming together to hold this lovely occasion. Photos by Lisa Te Raki and Roslyn Nijenhuis.
Gloria Colloty, Ngaire Coy and Reita Matthews.
Katharina Ruckstuhl, Tā Mark, Caroline Ruckstuhl, Rachel Ruckstuhl-Mann with daughter Kahukura Ruckstuhl-Spence.
Koa Whitau-Kean.
Kuao Langsbury and Tā Mark Solomon.
Our wonderful cooks Aroha Ellison and Myra Tipa, creating a feast for Tā Mark’s farewell.
Prof. John Broughton and Jeffrey Broughton.
Puketeraki, Moeraki and Ōtākou members gather to farewell Tā Mark at Puketeraki Marae.
Tā Mark with Kāti Huirapa members.
Tā Mark with Puketeraki Upoko, David Ellison.
Tā Mark with Puketeraki Upoko, David Ellison.