Waa's dying wish fulfilled

IN MEMORY: Sergeant Kevin Milne and Constable Courtney Sandilands, of Kawakawa police, cross the Kerikeri Half Marathon finish line carrying their friend Waa Whareaitu's ashes. PICTURE/PETER DE GRAAF

A Kaitaia man's mates have helped him fulfil his goal of completing the Kerikeri Half Marathon, eight months after his death at the age of 30.

Waa Whareaitu was the unit commander of 64 Squadron Air Training Corps in Kaitaia, a youth cadet group modelled on the Air Force. His cadets describe him as an inspiration, some say he changed their lives.

He never stopped trying to help Far North youth, even those who repeatedly broke into the cafe he and his wife Lorraine ran in Kaikohe.

But Waa also battled health and weight problems and became bedridden late last year.

Kevin Milne, a police sergeant at Kawakawa, realised his friend's life depended on getting out of bed and getting moving again. Kevin told his mate that if he could get out of bed and take three steps, then increase that by one step a day, he would help him complete this year's half marathon.

But it was not to be. Waa died of heart failure in March shortly after his 30th birthday.

Around 10.30am on Saturday, however, Kevin fulfilled his pledge by carrying his friend's ashes across the finish line at Kerikeri Domain.

Helping him was his colleague from Kawakawa police station, Constable Courtney Sandilands.

Kevin said he wanted to share the load because Waa's favourite saying was 'He waka eke noa', which translates loosely as 'We're all in this together'.

Waiting at the finish line was a group of friends, whanau and cadets. Cole Rumsey, of the Kaitaia ATC, said he didn't have the words to describe his former mentor.

Friends, whanau and ATC cadets of the late Waa Whareaitu, who died before he could attempt this year's Kerikeri Half Marathon. See bottom of the article for names. PICTURE/PETER DE GRAAF

"He's been a massive influence on me. He taught me to be my own person and to be the best I can be."

Cole, who has just been accepted by the Navy, has had Waa's name tattooed on his chest along with 'He waka eke noa'.

Widow Lorraine Whareaitu, of Kaitaia, said it was "a huge moment" when Waa crossed the finish line.

"Kevin was encouraging Waa to do this, even if he had to do it one step at a time or if Kevin had to push him in a wheelchair. When he passed I asked Kevin if he would still do it, but with Waa's ashes."

Kevin said the 21km run was "bloody hard work" and he couldn't have done it without Courtney egging him on and helping carry the load.

His feet were sore but he felt good inside. He was pleased that Waa had been awarded a medal for completing the half marathon, and that some of his cadets were waiting at the finish line.

"At the funeral these guys were saying if it wasn't for Waa they'd be on the wrong side of the law or on the wrong path in life. His influence on young people was huge. He was very highly thought of in Kaitaia."

Kevin initially got to know Waa as a regular at his Kaikohe cafe. They also shared an Air Force link and Kevin tried to help when the cafe was hit in a series of break-ins.

Their run in the Kerikeri Half Marathon was also a fundraiser for Northland children's charity the Bald Angels. See page 2 for photos from the Bald Angels big shave on Friday night.

Names to accompany image: from left, Gaylene Milne (Ohaeawai), Courtney Sandilands (Kawakawa), Cole Rumsey (Kaitaia), Kevin Milne (Ohaeawai), Te Aroha Whareaitu (14, Kaikohe), Lorraine Whareaitu (Kaitaia, holding her late husband's ashes), Daniel Crene (Kaitaia), Tejaarng Hughes (9, Rawene), Florince Hughes (12, Rawene) and Rachel Henare (Kawakawa) with seven-week-old Haika Bauer-Ngawaka.