Te Ururoa Flavell: Thoughts for lost loved ones

I start this column on a sad note - acknowledging the recent passing of Tauranga Council CEO Ken Paterson, who died suddenly last week. I had just recently been working closely with the council on a local Bill, so it came as quite a shock to hear of his passing. I send my condolences to his whanau and colleagues.

I also acknowledge the passing of Bob Low, who has been a well-known figure in Rotorua, particularly through his mahi at ACC over the years. Bob has a wide whanau, and I send my sympathies to you all at this time.

I also must mention a brave young battler, Chace Topperwien, who died last week after suffering from leukaemia. Chace's whanau were so brave in sharing their battle and his with the public who had come to know and love this little boy. My heartfelt condolences go to Keri and Ryan and their wider whanau.

On my mind lately has been the issue of cancer - it seems to be a nasty disease that takes hold of anyone no matter the gender, age, or race. It seems to not matter who or when it will strike.

I am often encouraged when I see or hear about small communities rallying together to raise money for individuals who are suffering from some form of cancer, like the Ngongotaha Relay last weekend to raise money for another young battler, Cory Josephs. It's really awesome to see whole communities come together in this way, for someone they don't even know.

Another organisation that comes to mind is Aroha Mai Cancer Support, run by Bubsie MacFarlane. Aroha Mai are currently running a number of fundraisers to simply help keep their organisation ticking along - such as a netball tournament held a few weekends ago, to the Matariki Ball, just this past weekend. I hope that the fundraising is going well, because I know that they offer a wonderful and much needed service.

If anyone would like to donate to Aroha Mai, or contribute to Cory Josephs or Chace Topperwien whanau, please contact my office on (07) 350 3261 for the details.

On to other matters now. Tangatarua Marae at Waiariki Institute of Technology recently hosted the 2012 Manu Korero competition for the Te Arawa rohe. This is always a wonderful opportunity to showcase some of our best and brightest upcoming young speakers, whether they are competing in the Te Reo or English sections.

Unfortunately, I was not able to attend this year, however, I understand that the calibre of speakers was very high, and I am pleased to acknowledge the efforts of all those who entered, and in particular, I congratulate the winners Te Kaiamo Rogers (Junior Maori), Georgia Stiles (Junior English), Tairoa Morrison (Senior Maori) and Eruera Bidois (Senior English).

I am sure you all whakapapa to Ngati Rangiwewehi, so I have no doubt you will do well in the national competition later this year. My best wishes to you all. I welcome your feedback. Email: mpwaiariki@parliament.govt.nz. Post: PO Box 12028 Rotorua 3045. Phone: (07) 350 3261.

Tena tatou katoa. Ka timata aku korero i raro i te kapua pouri me te tuku roimata ki a ratou kua hinga ki tua i nga ra kua pahure ake. Ko Ken Paterson tera no roto o te Kaunihera o Tauranga. Ka mutu, ko ia tera e mahi tata mai ana i runga i te kaupapa o tetahi o nga pire o reira. I runga i tera, ano nei te ohorere. Ka tuku oku whakaaro ki tona whanau whanui.

Me tuku mihi hoki ki te whanau o Bob Low. Tona rongonuitanga i tenei rohe he tohu o tana kaha ki te mahi i nga tau kua pahure. Te taea te karo, moe mai e koro.

Mai i te hunga pakeke, ki te hunga taitamariki, he tika kia tuku mihi hoki ki te whanau o Chace Topperwien. Ano nei te maia o tenei mokopuna i noho mauiui i te mate pukupuku. Kaore e kore he ahuatanga i pa tata ki nga tangata maha o te motu, a, i rongo katoa tatou i te mamae o tona whanau, ka mutu, ehia ke nei nga tangata i tautoko i te whanau, a-whakaaro, a-wairua, a-putea hoki. Ka tuku mihi hoki ki a Keri, Ryan me te whanau whanui.

He ngarara nui tenei te mate pukupuku, kaore he paku whakaaro ki te momo tangata - Maori mai, Pakeha mai, pakeke, rangatahi. Heoi, he mea akiaki te kite i nga roopu e whakakotahi ana ki te whakapiki i te mohiotanga e pa ana ki tenei mate, i nga putea tautoko hoki, pera ki a Ngongotaha i kohi putea mo Cory Josephs.

Ko Aroha Mai tetahi roopu e tino ngana ana ki te whakapiki mohiotanga ki tenei mate. A, ko Busbie MacFarlane tera e whakahaere ana i te roopu. I tenei wa tonu kua whakatu tawhainga netiporo ratou ki te kohi moni mo to ratou roopu, a, ano hoki, na ratou te po whakangahau Matariki i whakarite i te wiki kua pahure. Kia kaha koutou ki te whai putea, ko te tumanako ka tau pai o koutou mahia i nga ra e heke mai nei.

Mena e hiahia ana koutou ki te tuku putea ki a Aroha Mai, ki a Cory Joseph, ki te whanau o Chase ranei, tena waea atu ki taku tari 073503261, ma taku hekeretari koe e arahi.

Ki take ano inaianei. Katahi ano ka mutu nga whakataetae Manu Korero mo te rohe o Te Arawa i te marae o Tangatarua. Ki taku i rongo nei he pai nga mahi, me te pai ki te kite i a tatou kaka wahanui e whakaputa ana i o ratou whakaaro ki te minenga. Kaore au i tae atu ki te whakataetae i tenei tau, heoi, i rongo au i te pai o nga korero. Me mihi ka tika ki a Te Kaiamo Rogers, Georgia Stiles, Tairoa Morrison, ki a Eruera Bidois hoki, kaore e kore ko Ngati Rangiwewehi koutou, no reira, kaore he paku awangawanga noku mo to koutou haere ki nga whakataetae a motu.