Remember when...
Kia kaha whanau. This is our page to add all those memories from back in the day...
Remember when we would go to Aunty Kiriwerawera's whare for kai after church and she would always have a sing and dance.
I come from Te Ohaaki Marae on my mum's side (Dulcie Hapeta - nee Paki) and I live in Rotorua. Many years ago our whanau used to live next door to Te Ohaaki. My dad was Sonny Hapeta of Te Arawa. Some of the older members of Te Kauri may remember our whanau.
I went to Rakaumanga and Huntly College with many of the whanau from Te Kauri - Berrymans, Tarawhitis, Maipis, Nodas, Deans, Minhinnicks, just to name a few and used to spend overnight stays during my younger school days with my cuzzies - the Maipis.
I am content manager with Mataikotare Marae in Rotorua which is my dad's side and I invite you to check out our page.
Na Bubby Smith (nee Hapeta)
Whanau Memories,
I am the only daughter of Keritoke Ivan Noda and Kiriwerawera Noda (nee Tarawhiti) commonly known as "Wera" and have lived in Victoria, Australia for near 21 years currently residing in Geelong, Victoria.
I went to Rakaumangamanga, Huntly West then Church College.
I have fond memories of many Whanau gatherings at our whare for a kai after church on more than one occasion and will never forget kapa haka practices under the strict yet knowledgeable guidance of my grandmother, Nanny Roka (my dad Mother) in our shed in preparation for the Annual Regatta. One of the highlights of my growing years was to perform on the barge at the regatta, then receive threepence that was always spent on watermelon & rides. The practices were hard but they were fun times with all the whanau participating.
November was another fun time as whanau would gather for Guy Fawkes. A bonfire was the call of the day in front of the batch which still remains, though barely. Sky rockets, crackers, sparklers were all treats for us then and it was fun, fun, fun.
My fondest memory would have to be the dance nights that Mum & Dad would organize. It didnt happen often but when it did, we would gather with great excitement & anticipation in front of the batch with the kind of music that would have you break into rock n roll then sometimes a waltz not to forget the twist. Those were the days!
Kiriwera Hiriaki (nee Noda)
Memories shared with Hone Tarawhiti by the Late Judy Harihari Hona / Wharekura (nee Berryman)
The land known as Pepepe Lot 28 belonged to Karaka Tarawhiti succeeded to him from his Father Reverend Heta Tarawhiti.
Karaka had a home next to the lake called " Nopera" his home was called Te Manu-o-te-Kauri this was an old name that originated from the Pirongia region.
When Karaka passed away, Lot 28 was left to his many children as a place for his descendants to live and prosper.
Eventually, as we have witnessed, a marae was built to ensure that all will benefit from the land's value.
In the old days, as children, we would go to the lake behind the marae - a source for kai, fresh water crayfish and recreation. There were two 'puna' of fresh spring water. There was native bush that provided berries that were picked relentlessly and we would bring milk from our home and crush our berries to make milkshakes.
We had gardens for our potato, pumpkin etc. used co-jointly with the Mormon Church and the American Missionaries.
Te Kauri was a model paradise. The marae was not rich in finance but wealthy in conservation and family values. Pepepe Lot 28 is the last Tarawhiti strong-hold that survived the days of Heta. Hokioi Tarawhiti and Ngaha Rotana were two committed members of the LDS Church.
Moe mai ra e Harihari!
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Page last updated 12 Oct 2008
