Big day for Onyx

For Kaitūhono-a-mahi Carolyn Tipene, work is more than just a job. It’s about connections and special moments like the recent pōwhiri to welcome Onyx Kahukura and his mum Renee Kahukura to the Te Pā Wānanga whānau at Omaka Marae.

Carolynn reports …

It was an honour and a privilege to attend a recent pōwhiri for our young Australian returnee Onyx Kahukura and his mum Renee Kahukura (nee MacDonald/Tuhimata). Renee is the mokopuna of Iwingaro MacDonald of Rangitāne and was born and raised in Perth with her mum and dad, Jan (Rangitāne) and Kevin Weke (Tainui). 

For Renee, there has always been a hankering to return to the whenua and immerse herself in the aroha of her very large whānau in the Wairau. And now she’s done that!

Renee is a chef of extraordinary talent and has recently secured a position at the exclusive Hotel D’urville in Blenheim. 

Her son Onyx started his kura journey last month and is in fine company with his whānaunga at Te Pā Wananga, guided by the loving hand of Whaea Virgil and her kai awhina. This young man is about to step into the realms of Māoritanga, he will be confident in te reo Māori and tikanga, as a grown man he will represent his whānau on the paepae with the mana that my generation were denied.

On behalf of Te Kotahi o Te Tauihu Charitable Trust, ngā mihi for the invitation to Onyx’s big day. Tina Joseph and I inhaled every moment. This is such a huge step towards a solidified future for whānau.