Te Aurere Panui January 2004
eHohitaatea 2004 Kaelo 2004
Kia ora,
Wherever you are around the world, "Happy New Year" in this, the Year of the Monkey. May you have a safe, happy and healthy 2004.
As is usual for us, we have had a lot of visitors from Aotearoa and countries a little further afield. The Pohutukawa kept its reputation as the `Kiwi Christmas Tree" by flowering well on into the New Year. I cannot remember having seen it in flower as late as it has been this summer. Let"s hope it augers well for a good summer.
Obituary: Clay Bertlman passed away 6 Kaelo 2004 at Waimea, Hawaii. Clay had been involved with Hokule`a and other Hawaiian canoes for many years. In 1992 he was a crew member on Te Aurere"s maiden voyage to Rarotonga. He will be greatly missed. Our aloha to his wife and `Ohana. E ho `Omaha me ka maluhia.
In response to my request for assistance last month, a guest who was here in the middle of Kohitaatea purchased a quantity of stationery and has offered to post the letters that we post to Hawaii for us. So in future, Laura and Cullen, you will be getting your monthly letter much quicker! For these very generous offers I have to thank Ray Hutaff of Ekahi Tours, Maui, Hawaii. So if you are in Maui and looking to take a tour, contact Ray and let him take care of all your needs. We really enjoyed your company, Ray, and hope that you will return again in the not too distant future. Mahalo a nui.
Back in 1998, Gina and I decided to move from Whangarei and come to Aurere. We had two reasons for this: The first was to support Hekenukumai after the death of his wife Hilda and the second was to help prepare for the upcoming Kupe Waka Centre. This was an ambitious plan for a tourist centre that would be unique in every way. It soon became abundantly clear that to keep up with things, a computer was going to be a very necessary piece of equipment. The AUT very kindly supplied us with one. As the years went on we outgrew this and a further computer was given to us by Dr. Peter Phillips. This was surplus to his office requirements.
As Te Aurere and Hekenukumai became more well known and in more demand, so in the last year or two, we have seen our communications come under more and more pressure. Until this month! One of our major sponsors is Te Kohanga Reo National Trust and have been for ten years. Just this month, we took delivery of a brand new computer and printer to bring us in to the 21st century. A very sincere thank you to TKR and long may our relationship continue.
The planning of the Kupe Waka Centre is now well under way. The first building to be erected will be the Whare Wananga. This is considered to be one of the most important buildings, as once built it will allow us to continue with our education programmes. Last year, we were introduced to some revolutionary building methods which will cut our building costs quite dramatically. Our architect is at present drawing up a set of working plans. Once completed they will give us a clear picture of costs involved. Once built and fully operational, we estimate that the centre will provide work for about 40 people, a much-needed source of employment in the Far North.
Raahoroi 24 Kohitaatea 2004. Te Aurere sailed from Tamaki Makaurau for Waitangi. With very little wind the motor was used for part of the sail. However, good time was made and she arrived at Wainui Island at about 10.00 am Raatapu where she is undergoing a face lift by Therissa and Edward. She will take part in the Waitangi Day celebrations 6 Hui-tangaru 2004.
Due to operator and technical problems this month's letter is not on the usual letter head. However, we hope you still enjoy it.
Well that"s about it for the first month of this bright and shiny New Year. Take care of yourselves and be good to each other.
Noho ora mai, Michael Harding
Who said that? "Laughter is the shortest distance between two people!" Victor Borge.
Northland naturally. First region of New Zealand.
Glossary
Hui-tangaru - February
Kaelo - January
Kohitaatea - January
Raahoroi - Saturday
Raatapu - Sunday
Tamaki Makaurau - Auckland
This letter is brought to you each month with the generous assistance of the following:
Te Tai Tokerau Tarai Waka Inc.
Te Kohanga Reo National Trust
Te Papa Tongarewa, Museum of New Zealand
Ekahi Tours, Maui, Hawaii