Matariki te tipua
Matariki te tawhito
Tau mai te wairua
Mai ngā ira atua
Ki te ira tangata
Tihei mauri ora
Tēnā koutou e te whānau o Wakatū,
Mānawatia a Matariki - ngā mihi o te Tau Hou Māori ki a tātou katoa.
It was a lovely opportunity to see many of our shareholders and whānau whānui at our Special General Meeting held in Te Whanganui-a-tara last Saturday, after what has felt like a long time with Covid-19 restrictions impacting on our ability to gather as whānau.
Tomorrow marks the first official public holiday celebrating the Māori new year period of Matariki - a significant time for us as Māori and for us as a whānau whānui. The national recognition and adoption of our traditional new year is a proud and monumental occasion for us as a people – as Māori culture and practices continue to strengthen and grow within Aotearoa.
Matariki is a period for us to reflect on the year that has been – the good times and the challenging times too. It is a time for us to celebrate together with whānau, friends and good kai. It is also a time for us to remember those members of our whānau and friends that we have lost over the year, to honour their memories, to grieve, let go and begin again. To plan to for a new year and look forward to new opportunities.
I wish all of our Wakatū whānau a safe and lovely long weekend.
Mānawatia a Matariki.
Noho ora mai rā,
Kerensa Johnston
Tumu Whakarae | Chief Executive
Wakatū Incorporation