Kia ora koutou,
Firstly I would like to congratulate Te Ao Marama Nepia who won the Rawhiti Ihaka section at the Te Tauihu Manu Kōrero held last Friday. Also congrats to Corey Hebberd who graduates with a BBS this week. He will take a few weeks off before starting his new role with us as Commercial Property Manager.
The dawn blessing of the new Youth Trust Centre on Friday was a milestone event for the long planned Rangatahi facility. There’s ample space for indoor sports, crafts, a recording room and kitchen. The centre, located on the corner of Kinross and Redwood Streets, will formally open next month and I am sure it will be well received. I was interested to note that according to Russ Smith, (Chair), a key driver is to help retain young people in our community as well as develop them. Congratulations to the Youth Trust and Council for an important contribution to our community.
Yesterday, Kaumātua met at Ūkaipō to discuss a re-store the re-establishment of the Kaumātua Komiti after a hiatus. Twenty Kaumātua turned up for the event, supported by the Kaumātua Kete Holder Moira-Ann Carey. An interim komiti was established with several kaumātua volunteering to help draft the groups purpose, primary goals and an annual plan, with the support of Sarah Lee and Moira-Ann. The draft will go back to the wider group for further discussion. Social activities and advocacy for the well-being of kaumātua was identified as the primary focus of the komiti.
We had a preliminary meeting with a representative from the Marlborough Kaikoura Trail Trust last week who explained the latest proposal for the trail. They intend to develop and operate a recreational bike and walk path from Picton to Kaikoura and are seeking our perspective prior to the planning and consultation process. This will be an opportunity to tell our story of the Wairau. The MKT Trust are hoping to progress construction next year and hope to begin the planning process shortly. Please let the office know if you would like more detail on this.
Key events this week are a meeting with NZTA on a proposed Pou for the new Ōpaoa Bridge and a hui on the operation of Tuamātene.
We have a couple of events coming up over the next few weeks. This Thursday evening Poneke will be holding their first Waiata Wānanga. We will be gathering at 6.45am on Saturday, 8 June, at Tuamātene for the dawn blessing for the Wharenui. Wānanga Ahurea will be held at Ūkaipō on the weekend of 7-9 June. Facilitated by Jeremy MacLeod and Awhina Twomey, the Wānanga is 100% bi-lingual, and will focus on whaikōrero, karanga, mihi whakatau, pao, waiata and karakia. We are also in the process of organising Wānanga #3 for the Conservation Management Plan for Te Pokohiwi with Tina Porou. More details for these wānanga can be found on our website under Pānui. To register for these events please contact the office on (03) 578 6180.
Please don’t forget Anton Matthew’s Fush and Chup night tonight at Ūkaipō (Tuesday). Free Kai will be served from 5pm and the lesson starts at 6pm. This is a free public event so bring the whānau along. I hope to see you there.
Ngā mihi
Nick