Tēnā koutou e Te Whānau Tupu Ngātahi,
We hope all our Playcentre whānau enjoyed the many celebrations and events honouring Matariki, and have had a wonderful start to Term 3.
The Board wishes to make an important announcement, which was shared at Ngā hui ā-whare in June.
Avis Stewart, Te Whare Tikanga Māori co-President, Te Waewae Koukou o Hauraro, has stepped down from her role as co-President. To read Avis’s letter of resignation please click here.
Avis was gifted a kete made from harakeke from mid-Northland, her home Playcentre region and with whenu (strands) in Playcentre purple. She also received rare heritage seed kūmara, Taputini and Mahina, grown at the foot of Te Pane o Mataoho, recognising Avis’s strong connection to Māngere. We trust that they will provide plentiful harvests for years to come.
All four Te Whare Tikanga Māori trustees met after the July Board meeting closed on 28 July. After a discussion, the trustees agreed unanimously, that Heather Ruru, Deputy Co-President, would step into the role of Te Whare Tikanga Māori Co-President.
He mihi māioha ki te ringa whero, e Avis, mōu i whakapeto ngoi ki te kaupapa rangatira, te whakamaru o ngā uri whakatupu me ō rātou whānau, ara, ko Te Whānau Tupu Ngātahi.
On behalf of Playcentre Aotearoa, we thank you Avis, for your commitment to the kaitiakitanga of our philosophy, “our babies and whānau front and centre of all we do”, Te Whānau Tupu Ngātahi.
Nā mātou noa nā,
Ann, Bes, Fran, Gemma, Hayley, Heather mātou ko Ranee.