Ra¯ tana centenary amazing
What a centenary. I thank everyone who helped make Te Waru o Noema a success. The celebration of 100 years of Tahupo¯ tiki’s vision provided a fantastic example of the level of positivity people united by values, belief and wha¯ nau can create.
From the kitchens, kapa haka and wa¯ nanga to the self-created activities of the Rangatahi Village — Mo¯ rehu pride made for a truly amazing programme.
It was during Te Waru o Noema that I announced my Youth MP for Te Tai Haua¯ uru, Taylor Renata Nikora. I am certain Taylor will represent his wha¯ nau and the issues faced by our region’s rangatahi Ma¯ ori well in the 2019 Youth Parliament.
More on his experiences will be revealed in the weeks to come.
With Te Waru o Noema having a clear focus on inspiring the next generation to boldly take the Ra¯ tana faith into the future, it was exciting to host Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and my Labour Ma¯ ori caucus colleagues, so they could witness this inspiration in action.
The Prime Minister’s gifts included her own Bible, and $3.6 million for the development of 60 sections of housing, a beautiful koha that will help our people to shelter their wha¯ nau and shape their own future.
The relationship sealed between T.W. Ra¯ tana and then Prime Minister Michael Joseph Savage in 1936 will also be highlighted next year, when Whanganui hosts the Labour Party Conference for 2019.
It will be an amazing opportunity for our city to have the issues faced by our community seen first-hand by
Te Waru o Noema has a clear focus on inspiring the next generation to boldly take the Ra¯ tana faith into the future.
the party, our ministers, MPs, volunteer army and the media that follow — and to highlight our regional successes, innovation and wairua in similar fashion.
From our legendary karaoke night to Jacinda’s leader’s speech, there is always plenty of public thoughtprovoking kaupapa and fun to be part of — so be sure to join in.
As Dunedin discovered this year, it’s a fantastic atmosphere.
Dunedin’s three-day-long event was capped by the announcement of 600 new teaching staff across Aotearoa.
These invaluable Learning
Support Co-ordinators will be advocates for our rangatahi, working alongside parents — as their one point of contact — to see children discover, learn and grow.
The plan will gift tamariki without special needs more time with teachers and give kids with additional learning needs more time with dedicated support staff.
From the classroom to the boardroom to the marae, genuine partnerships such as these are key to our future as a country.
Look after each other, wha¯ nau.