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| Roberta McIvor-Wright |
Naturally, we needed a
traditional NZ welcome for the group. Sounds easy, after all, we Rotarians have
great networks and well versed in putting on a good show right? Not so easy. The date clashed with the Te
Matatini competition in Christchurch and Polyfest rehearsals around the
country. Not a group could be found. Then, through a Rotary colleague at a
secondary college in a low socio economic area, bingo, a small group of more
junior children agreed to perform for us.
In just two weeks they put together their show. (Their costumes were made
by themselves, right from the cutting and dyeing of the flax.) Their teacher
gathered them up early on Saturday morning 7 March as some families have no transport,
gave them breakfast at the school and got them to the venue by 8 am. What a
show it was with shining faces, strong
but beautiful items, finishing with the powerful obligatory haka! The energy
was palpable!
The conference was told
about the fundraising the group were beginning, to travel to Waitangi, to study
NZ history and the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi. At recess, generous Rotarians
willingly popped notes and coins into a Maori “kite” or flax basket, and on the
Monday morning, myself, DGE Jennie Herring and Conference Chair Trish Boyle
went to the school to present the money (koha) to the group.
The rest, as they say, is
history; read the thank you response from a fourteen year old below, addressed to
all the Rotarians in the South Pacific. Rotary Moments, I am once again gently reminded,
can sneak up and catch us by surprise.
Sylvie Wilkinson
R/C Pakuranga
D9920
To The Rotarians of The South Pacific.
Kia Ora,.
My name is Roberta, I am a student at Otahuhu College, and I am also a member of the Kapa Haka group.
Last Saturday we had the privilege of performing for you at the Waipuna
Lodge during your leadership conference.
We had a fantastic time and we enjoyed seeing your smiling faces looking
up at us.
On Monday, the group and Whaea Darlene (teacher) and I were surprised
when we were gifted a cheque for a thousand dollars from the conference people.
We were so emotional we all cried
including Whaea. I am deeply grateful for your generosity. It means a lot, not
only to me, but every member of our Kapa Haka group.
This year we are planning a trip to visit the Treaty of Waitangi and to
experience the Far North. This koha has made
a significant start to our fundraising ventures and pushed us closer to our
goal. I was overwhelmed at the amount of
kindness you showed us and the smile is still plastered upon my face.
Performing for you has made me more confident about presenting in public. You have definitely enhanced my life in a most
positive way.
When I’m sitting on the bus to Waitangi, I will be thinking of all you
Rotarians and your generosity, and how much you’ve contributed to our experience.
Kia Tamatane,
Roberta McIvor-Wright
Year 11 Student.
Otahuhu College, Auckland,
NZ
