Newsletter - August 2011
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Friday Night Markets
The Maori cultural themed "Whakarewarewa Friday Night Markets" will bring our community together for an event that can be enjoyed by all, at the world famous Whakarewarewa Living Thermal Village.
Admire the beautiful arts and crafts and maybe you'll find that special something you've been looking for. Nau mai haere mai - welcome one and all to "The Whakarewarewa Friday Night Markets".
6pm is the performance from Te Pakira cultural group.
Successful Holiday Programme
Programme activities included overnight Marae stay, Kapa Haka and visits to the Rotorua Museum, Paradise Valley and the Aquatic Centre.
The children found the visit to Rotorua Museum very exciting. They had the opportunity to learn about the Tarawera Eruption and it’s connection back to Whakarewarewa which tied in very nicely to where the programme was based explained Matewai Raimona the Holiday Programme Coordinator.
The trip to Paradise Valley was a hit, because 90% of the children from the village had never been outside of that area. The children’s kapa haka performance on the last day and the display of their egg baskets was enjoyed by all the parents, koro and kuia.
A big thanks goes out to the rest of the team that helped make the Holiday Programme such a success Hoani Te Moana, Tina Morgan, Tipene Haira, Tiahuia Ropitini, Duane Te Moana and Rebecca Eparaima.
Maori Language Week
On Wednesday, the 6th of July a “Trivial Pursuits” night was held in Nga Mareikura to celebrate “Maori Language Week”. There were 8 teams of 4 competitors participating in what turned out to be a thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining evening had by all. The food, the laughter, the sharing of knowledge was formidable. Thanks to our MC, Matetu Mihinui and his two lovely assistants who presented the evening in both Maori & English. Spot prizes were given away throughout the evening to those who showed initiative, stamina or just didn’t know the answer. Feedback from the night was excellent, with a big thank you to the Rotorua Probation office who submitted 2.5 teams and also took away the organisers sponsored prize of a cultural experience for 2 at Tamaki Maori Village. The end results saw the Schuster Whanau (picture above) take out the winning spot. A big thank you to Te Puni Kokiri, Tamaki Maori Village and WTVT for the sponsorship of prizes for the evening, and Akatu Masters for preparing our Power Point presentation of all the question and answers.
U&I Learn Maori in conjunction with the Multicultural Society & Rotorua Newcomers Society arranged a special tour of the village. This was organised for those who wished to gain basic knowledge of Maori
words while touring through our village.
Though we had many cancellations on the day due to bad weather, the group of 9 commenced their tour at 10am. The correct pronunciation of the vowel sounds was firstly introduced, and then different words learnt as the tour progressed such as “river/awa” “hotpool/ngawha” and so on. The tour then made its way to the cultural show, and concluded with a Hangi meal in the café.
Food Safety on Marae
A course sponsored by Te Puni Kokiri for Food Safety on the Marae was held in Rotorua on Friday, the 8th of July. Our Pa, Te Pakira, was represented by Ron Kahn, Michael McGarvey and Mererangi McGarvey, with all three graduating with honors. The capping ceremony is still yet to be confirmed.
“Everyone who works in the Wharekai should be sacked”, says Michael & Ron.
Following on from their success, Mere Panapa will be attending the next course to be held in Auckland.
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