>home >about >training >production >staff >join >newsletter >contact >donate >links
Te Haerenga 2008 Kawhia & Tauranga
Update: April 10th
|
This weekend was the first for both locations to combine together. Kawhia's presence was sadly missed as they had to remain in Kawhia for the tangi However those who attend the Kawhia location from outside the region represented them well. (Kawhia is also attended by groups and individuals and families from Waiuku and Auckland) We all arrived on Friday night from Wanganui, Waiuku, Tirau & Tauranga after a late change of location due to a tangi in Kaiwhia. After an extended session of Whakawhanungatanga we settled into a good meal and a bit more korero.
The weekend unfolds On Saturday morning after breakfast, the SuperKids started off with a whole lot of games while the Adults & Rangatahi headed into the Whare for a session with world renowned artist, Steve Apirana, who started by leading us through a settling period with music mixed with a bit of entertainment. After morning tea, he started to lead us on a trip though his life and the hardships he faced growing up. All along, fusing it with music and entertainment. As this journey progressed, we all began to realize that this person was no ordinary person but someone who had over come many personal problems in his life right from an early age.
“Whāia te iti kahurangi, Ki te tūohu koe, me he maunga teitei “ “Pursue excellence – should you stumble, let it be to a lofty mountain “
This man has faced so many maunga’s in his life but eventually conquered them all. His experiences were experiences that many of us had faced in one way or another during our lives so could directly relate to on a personal level.
Lunch came and went and before we knew it we were back with Steve again, continuing the journey. The Rangatahi broke off and did a session with one of NZ's best beat boxer Tama Dorset tones of sirens, bass beats and laughter came drifting out of the Wharekai through the afternoon. After dinner, the wharekai was setup for a concert by Steve Apirana but Steve had other ideas. Steve had been scoping out the talent within the whanau and had been doing a bit of shoulder tapping during the day and had decided to do a bit of a showcase of the talent along with some of his music. What a night, from a very young man playing the guitar to a bunch of sisters who had never met, let along play together in a band. A lot of fun, laughs and music created a evening to be remembered. On Sunday, after breakfast, we had a quick meeting on the atea then had a final session with Steve in the wharenui to reflect. Steve repeatedly acknowledging the lord and how over his life, the lord had been there and helped him though many hard times. Many acknowledged the struggles he has been through and some related it to their own and how through him, they found strength that wasn’t there before.
During this session, Fred Cooper, whom had been a big part of marina’s life in the early years and many others in Tauranga, introduced himself and gave a testimony of his life and his walk with the lord. Talking about some of the hard decisions in his life that forced him to choose between the lords path and the worldly path. Things like turning down an ARL contract to do the lords work. He choose the lords path every time and has no regrets. This show the dedication the man has to the lord and his work and his belief and faith in the lord. We then watched a DVD of last years Hawaii trip. Before long we were having lunch and packing up form another awesome weekend. We all went our separate ways reflecting and full to the brim with more information.
Much thanks to Steve Apirana, all the participants, the kaimahi and Jenifer & Ana who helped us out with the photos and communication pieces and to Hairini Marae. Ka kite a tera wiki e heke mai nei!
Pray for:
Glossary
|
All Rights Reserved © Niu elements Design 2008