Ko Ruahine te pae maunga, ko Rangitīkei te awa, ko Tākitimu te waka, ko Ngāti Hauiti te iwi. E ngā whānau, e ngā hapū o Ngāti Hauiti, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa. Ka nui te mihi ki a koutou. E ngā tini aituā, haere ki tua o te ārai. Heoi anō.
On 17 August 2025, Ngāti Hauiti lost a deeply respected kuia, Erena Doris Mete-Kingi Anson—affectionately known to many as Aunty Erena. She was the beloved mother of our work colleague Utiku Potaka, and a cherished figure whose presence shaped the heart of Ngāti Hauiti.
Aunty Erena was a stalwart of Ngāti Hauiti, a woman of mana, and knowledge of tikanga and whakapapa. She was the undisputed boss of the Rātā Marae kitchen, where her leadership and culinary skills nourished countless hui and gatherings. Her kai was unforgettable - not just for its abundance and flavour, but for the aroha she infused into every dish.
At Whakauae, our earliest memory of Aunty Erena is from a hui held at Rātā Marae in 2005 with Amster Reedy where her hospitality stood out. In the years that followed, she remained a constant presence, always ready with advice - quite often delivered in a deadpan way to keep the listener on their toes, or a firm reminder of tikanga.
She will be remembered not only for her contributions, but also for her manaakitanga, and whanaungatanga; qualities that defined her relationships and the way she served her people.
To Utiku and the whānau, we extend our deepest aroha. Aunty Erena’s legacy lives on in all of us who had the privilege to know her and in all of those who learned from her.
We also remember Maria Peawinnie Taiuru (Ngāti Haukaha of Tāhuhu Marae), who passed away on 9 September 2025. Maria was a respected kuia who served on a number of tribal entities including Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Hauiti, Te Pātiki Trust Board, Te Maru o Ruahine Trust, Mōkai Pātea Waitangi Claims Trust, Mōkai Pātea Services, Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Whitikaupeka and Hauora a Iwi. She was a steadfast supporter of Whakauae from its establishment.
In 2007, Maria graciously offered Tāhuhu Marae as a venue for Whakauae to deliver a Parenting Programme - an act that reflected her commitment to whānau wellbeing and her generous spirit.
Maria will be remembered for her gracious demeanour, her quiet strength, and her unwavering support for kaupapa Māori initiatives. Her contributions are a lasting legacy.
To her whānau, we extend our heartfelt aroha. Maria’s presence and influence will be deeply missed but never forgotten.
Moe mai rā e ngā whaea, e ngā kuia rangatira. Haere ki te kāinga tūturu o te tangata. Mā te Atua koe e manaaki, e tiaki. Haere, haere, haere atu rā.
Ko Ruahine te pae maunga, ko Rangitīkei te awa, ko Tākitimu te waka, ko Ngāti Hauiti te iwi. E ngā whānau, e ngā hapū o Ngāti Hauiti, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa. Ka nui te mihi ki a koutou. E ngā tini aituā, haere ki tua o te ārai. Heoi anō.
On 17 August 2025, Ngāti Hauiti lost a deeply respected kuia, Erena Doris Mete-Kingi Anson—affectionately known to many as Aunty Erena. She was the beloved mother of our work colleague Utiku Potaka, and a cherished figure whose presence shaped the heart of Ngāti Hauiti.
Aunty Erena was a stalwart of Ngāti Hauiti, a woman of mana, and knowledge of tikanga and whakapapa. She was the undisputed boss of the Rātā Marae kitchen, where her leadership and culinary skills nourished countless hui and gatherings. Her kai was unforgettable - not just for its abundance and flavour, but for the aroha she infused into every dish.
At Whakauae, our earliest memory of Aunty Erena is from a hui held at Rātā Marae in 2005 with Amster Reedy where her hospitality stood out. In the years that followed, she remained a constant presence, always ready with advice - quite often delivered in a deadpan way to keep the listener on their toes, or a firm reminder of tikanga.
She will be remembered not only for her contributions, but also for her manaakitanga, and whanaungatanga; qualities that defined her relationships and the way she served her people.
To Utiku and the whānau, we extend our deepest aroha. Aunty Erena’s legacy lives on in all of us who had the privilege to know her and in all of those who learned from her.
We also remember Maria Peawinnie Taiuru (Ngāti Haukaha of Tāhuhu Marae), who passed away on 9 September 2025. Maria was a respected kuia who served on a number of tribal entities including Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Hauiti, Te Pātiki Trust Board, Te Maru o Ruahine Trust, Mōkai Pātea Waitangi Claims Trust, Mōkai Pātea Services, Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Whitikaupeka and Hauora a Iwi. She was a steadfast supporter of Whakauae from its establishment.
In 2007, Maria graciously offered Tāhuhu Marae as a venue for Whakauae to deliver a Parenting Programme - an act that reflected her commitment to whānau wellbeing and her generous spirit.
Maria will be remembered for her gracious demeanour, her quiet strength, and her unwavering support for kaupapa Māori initiatives. Her contributions are a lasting legacy.
To her whānau, we extend our heartfelt aroha. Maria’s presence and influence will be deeply missed but never forgotten.
Moe mai rā e ngā whaea, e ngā kuia rangatira. Haere ki te kāinga tūturu o te tangata. Mā te Atua koe e manaaki, e tiaki. Haere, haere, haere atu rā.
