Te Whanake - Our Blog
iPad Winner
Congratulations to Marama Takao from Wellington who was the winner of our iPad draw offered to everyone who sent back their email address to us. We are still really eager to get your email addresses so rally the whanau and send your email addresses to info@nrait.co.nz.
Aiming high
To support the educational achievement of our people, NRAIT offers all owners the opportunity to apply for an NRAIT scholarship or grant. Read about our recent award winners in issues of Eke Panuku. The aim of the programme is to help young people achieve their potential by supporting them to accomplish their educational aspirations, and to encourage them in turn to contribute their skills to the wellbeing and advancement of NRAIT’s people.
Changes are being made to the current funding programme to make it more accessible and effective, and NRAIT scholarship and grant manager Sacha Macdonald wants to see more students going for it.
“I encourage you all to have a go: work out what would help you get ahead with your education, then put your best foot forward and apply for funding. The Board allocates educational funding every year for this purpose and they’d like to see more of you seizing the opportunity.”
Applications for 2014 open in January and close on 30 April.
E-learning for tamariki
An important part of our Te Whanake programme is to widen learning opportunities for our tamariki and everyone within our rohe. One way to do that is to increase the availability of computers. To put words into action, NRAIT has donated funds to Parkland School’s Whānau classes for the purchase of a set of MacBook laptops.
Koro Brian Bailey generously donated to the Whānau classes and challenged iwi organisations in the region to match his contribution. We saw to it that we did. Students and their kaiako are thrilled to have the laptops to support their learning and are well used every day.
Art goes under the hammer
Te Awhina Marae played host to a highly successful Matariki Degustation Dinner & Art Auction fund raiser on Saturday 29 June, showcasing and auctioning a selection of outstanding works from some of the Nelson region’s most renowned artists, sculptors and carvers, as well as some known nationally. The event raised an estimated $24,000 for the marae, a feat that could not have been achieved without the help and support of volunteers, sponsors, the artists, the whanau and the community.
Each of the 29 successive auctions was as exciting as the last with the high point being an exceptional piece by Rangi Kipa. His whale bone patu fundraised $3,800. All the pieces were very generously donated by the artists.
Ann Martin, Tumuaki at Te Awhina Marae, said that as well as being a very successful fund raiser for the marae, the auction was a great way to bring the community together. “It was great to see everyone having such a good time together, mixing and mingling and generally having a lovely evening.”
Special thanks go to head chef James Tait for his tireless effort.
