Announcement: Resignation
 

The Kōhanga Reo National Trust wishes to inform our whānau that Tom Alesana, Māngai Board Member for Te Waipounamu and Wharekauri, has resigned from his role “At this time, Tom is focusing on his whānau, and due to his many commitments, it has become difficult for him to continue in this role.”

After three years of service as a Board Member, Tom extends his heartfelt thanks for the support he has received from all the Kōhanga Reo in Te Waipounamu and Wharekauri. He is grateful for the experience, wishes his fellow Board members every success and holds full confidence in their ability to continue the mahi required for Te Kōhanga Reo to flourish.

He mihi aroha nā Tom Alesana

Ka topa taku manu i Whakatū, ki Motueka, whakawhiti atu ki Waikawa, ki Waiharakeke ki ngā whare Kōhanga o Te Tauihu.

E rere taku manu ki runga o Te Tai o Mahaanui, whakawhiti atu ki Te Tai o Poutini ki ngā whare Kōhanga o Waitaha whānui.

E hoka taku manu ki ngā Tiritiri o te Moana heke whakateraro ki ngā whare Kōhanga o Ōtākau, ki Tāhuna, ki Murihiku.

E tiu taku manu ki tai, i ngā ngaru tuatea ki te whare Kōhanga ki Wharekauri.

Kei ngā whare Kōhanga o Te Waipounamu, o te motu whānui, nei rā te whakamānawa atu ki a koutou mō koutou i manaaki mai i ahau i roto i ngā toru tau kua hori. Ahakoa taku aroha nui ki te kaupapa me whai wā ahau ki te tiaki pai i ahau anō me taku oranga.

Kei aku hoa poari, e whakapono ana ahau ka ora tonu tō tātou kaupapa i a koutou, i o tātou whānau, i o tātou tamariki mokopuna hoki.

“E kii ana te kōrero haramai nei he ngaru hou, ko tōna hoa haere ko mauri hou. Koia ko te ngaru nui o Te Kōhanga Reo, ka whati ki ngā one tapu o te motu whānui.”

“A new wave forms, carrying with it renewed energy. This is the great tidal wave of Kōhanga Reo sweeping across the shores of the country.”

I runga i te ngākau whakaiti,
Tom Alesana

Interim Appointment: Māngai Hou, Te Waipounamu–Wharekauri

Ka tō he rā ki te pae, ka āo mai he rangi hou!
As the sun sets on the horizon, a new day dawns!

The Board is pleased to announce the interim appointment of Henare Te Aika-Puanaki as the new Board Member representing Te Waipounamu–Wharekauri.

Henare descends from a rich whakapapa: Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Mutunga ki Wharekauri, Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Awa, Te Whānau-a-Apanui, Ngāi Tāmanuhiri, Ngāti Tū, Ngāti Tama, and Ngāti Hāua.

Supported by his immediate whānau and Te Hōhepa Kōhanga Reo, Henare has accepted this role with humility and determination. He brings his energy, resources, networks and deep commitment in service to our movement.

“Nā Te Kōhanga Reo ahau i tangata ai.”
My strength, grounding, and sense of responsibility were shaped within this kaupapa – through my own journey, my mother’s, my Taua’s and now through the tamariki my wife and I are raising in kōhanga today. This represents a four generation bond with Te Kōhanga Reo, carried with deep pride and dedication.

Ko tōku toa, he toa kōhanga, he toa kura kaupapa, he toa takitini.

Final Rohe Hui: Te Tau Ihu

The Kōhanga Reo National Trust Board will hold the final (postponed) rohe hui in Te Tau Ihu (Nelson):

📍 Hotel Nelson
🕔 5:00pm – Tuesday 26 August

This will conclude our regional hui series. The Board looks forward to ensuring the voices of all Kōhanga whānau are heard, and that everyone has the opportunity to present their kaupapa directly to the Board, kanohi ki te kanohi.

Kia tau tonu ngā manaakitanga.

Te Poari Matua o Te Kōhanga Reo