Mai nga ra o mua . . .

Check out the photos of nana Kiritina, her sister and brother while they were at school in 1927.  She is the cool little girl at the beginning of the second row from the back with the shoulder length hair, her sister is the girl standing in the centre with the round white collar in the same row and her brother (in the first photo) is the only boy not looking at the camera when the photo was taken.  I must follow after him when it comes to following instructions.  Interesting though that they are all at the same Native School, all related and not allowed a photo together.  How things have changed.   

 How cool that someone has posted these on the internet to share with others.  Wonder how many people have found a photo of their grandparents, great grandparents etc in these shots.  

WICKED . . .

2009 Festival of the Elements

Another successful Festival of the Elements for Porirua.  Each year, in celebration of Waitangi Day, the Festival of the Elements is held at Te Rauparaha Park.  It's an opportunity for the multicultural communities of Porirua to celebrate a day together in commemoration of the signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Over the past few years Maori have raised concerns that although there is definately a need for a celebration such as this to happen the day itself doesn't highlight that this day is important because of the signing of the treaty.  I think the constant complaints must have been heard because:

1. The day began with mihimihi, karakia and waiata Maori;

2. The MC for the day often spoke about, and asked others, what they knew about the significants of the day;

3. Our Tino Rangatira flag flew from the centre of the park for the entire day without anyone being dragged off the park or arrested. 

What a start, but lets remember it is only a start.

The weather was awesome, the entertainment was great (some of them went on too long though), the whanau atmosphere was great, and as usual there was far too much food to buy.

Let's see what 2010 brings us . . .     

Mom, Mom, Mummy, Mummy

How many of us can relate to this type of conversation with our darling children???  All you want is ten minutes quiet time and this is what you have to deal with.

Although there are times when they drive you crazy this is one time I must admit I had to laugh at.  

Enjoy . . .