Tahuwhakatiki Marae was to hold the 5^th gathering, our final noho Marae completing the 1^st phase of Te Haerenga.

We were blessed have Pane Kawhia with us again who’s life story was graced with transparency and humility resulting in different ones responding in the same way.

“Today I shared something that I’ve never shared to anyone else before. Pane’s openness and God’s love helped me begin this journey of healing”

Although our time with Pane was short, it sure was worth every moment of it.

The kids all went down to Blake park Saturday morning to watch Hoia play rugby! Lunched packed, vans loaded they all headed to the mount to support their mate.

Mean while a few of the kaimahi went out to gather wood for our hangi. A lovely hangi it was too! Pork, Lamb, Chicken, Kumara, riwai…. Pai rawa atu!

The afternoon was a split. The girls spent time learning how to weave with Karen & JL and the boys went over a haka with Ray.

We sealed up our time on Sunday morning with our poroaki, acknowledging everyone’s participation and commitment, encouraging each other to take hold of key things our speakers shared with us from the 1^st gathering till now, thanking all the kaimahi and their hard work in keeping things running…

Te Haerenga is not complete without the 2^nd phase which is our overseas portion. It’s a continuation of Te haerenga in another context and for the past 4 years we have been walking along side of Hawaiian communities on the big island of Hawaii. This year is our smallest team we have sent to Hawaii. A team of 6 including a grandfather and his grand daughter, a father and his son.

We are reminded of a proverb that says

‘Ahakoa he iti, he poumanu’

Although it is small, it is of pounamu (greenstone)

We sent off our team with prayers of blessing, weetbix-timtams-milo and pineapple lumps for the Tauranga-ites who are looking after us and gifts of greenstone for the people of Hawaii.

(Matt, Crystal, Shane, Sonny, McKenzie, Jacob in front)

Below is their general itinerary and will try our best to get some updates as they come.

·     29^th May: Arrive in Kona

·     30^th May-2^nd June: Camp Lokahi at Makapala

·     3^rd-6^th June: working with combined churches feeding the hungry in Hilo

·     7^th June Lo’i patch working with locals to restore their memory in panting taro in the mountains of North Kohala.

·     8^th-9^th June Having guest speakers and working at the Island Breeze property in Makapala

·     10^th June Luau in Kona

·     11^th June Depart

Our final wrap up is the 19^th June where we hear back from the Hawaii team, eat together, evaluations, announcements for the 2^nd level Te haerenga called Te Haerenga o mata whanui

Nga mihi ki Ngapotiki, Ki a Pane Kawhia, nga kaiwhakahaere me nga kaihoe o te waka o te haerenga.

Mauri ora.

Tarewa enei ki te Rangi!

• (as from last update) That God would build our level of support to our complete 360 degree concept.
• Protection and blessings for the Hawaii team and the people of Hawaii.
• He would continue to place His korowai over us
• That we apply the truth to our lives

Glossary

• Ngapotiki - Name of a local subtribe
• Hangi-Traditional feast
• Pai rawa atu-EXcellent
• Riwai-Potatoe
• Poroaki - Farwell
• Kaiwhakahaere - Organizer
• Kaihoe - Paddlers
• Tarewa enei ki te Rangi! - 'Hang these in the heavens' (Prayer points)

Click here for recent updates   Update 1   Update 2   Update 3  Update 4