Ngā mate

To all our whānau suffering the loss of loved ones at this time Awarua Rūnanga extends our love and sympathy.

Rā whānau

Happy birthday to everyone celebrating birthdays this month.

Te Rourou Whakatipuranga o Awarua

Located on the grounds of Te Rau Aroha Marae and overlooking Bluff Harbour, Awarua Rūnanga has the southern-most marae-based bi-lingual early childhood education centre. The centre is staffed with three fully-trained kaiako (bachelor of teaching endorsed in early childhood education) and two experienced kaiāwhina (one is in their second year of early childhood education training).

The staff and management committee are dedicated and passionate about providing high quality programmes that build and extend tamariki learning and confidence. Their unique local curriculum is based on Te Ao Māori and affirms the tamariki heritage and language.

The centre is open from 8.30am-5pm Monday to Friday and is open to tamariki aged from three months to five-years. The centre offers kura kaupapa i mua (a bicultural before school programme) for three and a half to five-year-olds, on Mondays and Thursdays. Centre closures are for three weeks over the Christmas period and statutory days.

If you are looking for childcare that provides a caring and culturally stimulating environment then contact the centre’s kairuruku/coordinator, Trish Kerr on: 022128866 or text: 0273888266; or email: [email protected] to find out more about the 20 free hours for over three-year-olds and enrolment.

Kaumātua Christmas dinner

Te Rau Aroha Marae will be holding a Christmas dinner for Bluff senior citizens on Wednesday 2 December at 12.30pm. Entertainment will be provided by the Bluff Community School kapa haka group.

If you live in Bluff and would like to come along and catch up with your friends, share some festive fare and entertainment, please contact Jacqui or Sharon on: 212 7205 by 23 November to confirm your attendance for catering purposes as numbers are limited.

Pānui contributions
If members have an item they wish to share with te whānau o Ngāi Tahu please contact Tina on: 03 212 6029 or email: [email protected]

Membership database

We are constantly updating our membership database and have found that many members’ children have had children of their own who need to be registered. If you are one of these people we encourage you to contact us on: 03 212 6029 or email: [email protected] to request registration form/s. NB: If your enquiries relate to registering with Ngāi Tahu please contact the Whakapapa Unit on 0800 KAI TAHU (0800 524 8248).

We also encourage those members who have changed residential or email addresses to update their details by contacting the rūnanga on the above number or email address.