Te Whānau o Waipareira Trusts Roopu Kaumātua have a registered membership of 109 active members who hail from all four winds of Aotearoa. Within the Roopu Kaumātua they have an elected executive committee of 12 who meet bi weekly to discuss their requirements, plan events and representation venturing the Roopu forward.

Members of the Executive Committee include Chairperson Poata Northcroft, Secretary Jim Te Wiki, Treasurer Theresa Toki, and active members Mereana Stubbings, Bill Tangariki, Leigh Harris, Maki Harawira, Maraea Northcroft, Ella Matthews, Anne Taumaunu, Judy Cooper and Margaret Glover.

On Thursday 8th December 2011 the Roopu Kaumātua rejoiced for their annual Christmas Luncheon fiesta at the Henderson RSA. There was a 95% attendance who filled the day with joyous celebrations recognising members achievements, and commemorated those of their fellow associates who had passed.

Chairperson of the Roopu Kaumātua, Poata Northcroft said “Mō mātou ngā kaumātua o Te Whānau o Waipareira, te mea nui nei ko te whakanui I te rā kirihimete, te reo pōwhiri atu ki a rātou te hono tātou i a tātou, te tiaki mokopuna i tēnei wā o te kirihimete” For us the elderly supporters of Te Whānau o Waipareira, it was a chance to celebrate the joys of Christmas and call upon our members to bring us together again, and express the importance of looking after our mokopuna during the Christmas holiday.

The Putiputi Kanikani ladies (a dance troupe within the Roopu) were beautifully attired as they prepared to lead out with their dance performances. Roopu Kaumātua Secretary and Leader of Putiputi Kanikani, Theresa Toki spoke of their role within the community “we travel around to local rest homes dancing and rock’n’rolling for other kaumātua who aren’t as fit and mobile - hoping to brighten their day and get their little toes tapping again”.

Henderson RSA employee and bartender Amber Morunga expressed “It was Awesome to see Waipareira Kaumātua having so much fun, embracing each other. I enjoyed watching their cultural performances and listening to their singing, it was great to have them at our venue”.

When Karl Snowden was knocked off his bike by a car, his bike took a bashing but it did not stop his determination to compete for Iron Māori.

Karl trained with health promoter Delane Mackie for weeks leading up to the Iron Māori event held last month. The two are dedicated models for a healthy lifestyle, training through high intensity workouts that Delane runs twice a week.

"I’m impressed by my bro Karl. He started training, running, swimming and riding his flash bike," Delane says.

But Karl wanted specific triathlete training so that he could stand tall at the start line. That’s when he met Triathlon Coach Ben Chidgey who trained Karl for 18 weeks.

"I was impressed by Karl’s self-determination. I had to put the brakes on a few times because he did not know when to stop. I mean it’s a good skill to have but sometimes I was concerned he was either going to hurt himself or burn himself out," he says.

Karl started his journey to improve his fitness 18 months ago with Delane’s Kai Nutrition team. He started doing events to keep motivated in between training. Karl’s first ever event was the Contact Tri series in Takapuna earlier this year where he finished the 300m swim, 9km ride and 3km run in 46 minutes and 12 seconds.

The Ironmāori event aims to encourage people to make healthier lifestyle choices. The event began three years ago and is proving to be very popular, attracting more than 1500 contenders at this year’s race in Napier. Karl completed the 2km swim, 90km cycle and 21.1km run in just under 6 hours.

"I am very pleased with the outcome. His time was fantastic!" Ben says.

Karl is now determined to race in the New Zealand Ironman event in 2013.

Esteemed kaumātua Nanny Makere Tino and Papa Denis Hansen were awarded with Kaumātua and Kuia of the year in recognition of their mahi at the recent Mauri Ora graduation held in Otaki on Saturday November 26th.

Both respectively in their seventies, they are the eldest graduates for 2011 completing the course through Te Korowai Aroha o Aotearoa and as such were given this acknowledgement for their dedication to on-going learning and education.

Mauri Ora is a ten month training programme that equips ākonga (students) to work with whānau, hapū, iwi in a uniquely kaupapa Māori way. It helps ākonga to develop their own solutions when dealing with issues that arise based on an understanding of Tikanga Māori and culture.

For Nanny Makere, one of the first graduates from Te Kohanga Reo National Trust’s three year degree Whakapakari, it has been a thoroughly enjoyable experience.

"I look forward to being able to continue with my studies, it’s exciting and is what keeps me alive, alert and happy." she says.

Papa Denis is in great demand as he sits on the Taumata representing Waipareira at key events within Tāmaki and around the globe.

With a passion for Tikanga and Te Reo Māori, the pair are a shining example that you are never too old to learn new things. As revered kaumātua within Waipareira they continue to set a high standard for those who will follow in their footsteps.

‘Kāore te kumara e kōrero mō tōna ake reka’ – this is an old Māori proverb that states the Kumara never speaks of its own sweetness, and these two learned and wise kaumātua are a perfect example of that.

Nanny Makere said "I had no idea we were going to be given this award so for me it was a huge surprise!"

Both have been an integral part of establishing a strong foundation that has resulted in the incredible growth and success of Te Whānau o Waipareira Trust throughout the past 28 years, and say they look forward to playing their part in the next twenty.