Stories
All Stories
Bereavement - Putu Mihaka
The Trustees and Staff at Te Waiariki Purea Trust acknowledge the passing of our rangatira Mr Putu Mihaka.
We gratefully acknowledge his energy and enthusiasm and his passion for supporting our rangatahi (youth).
We also thank Rotu and his whanau for sharing him with us often in weekends and evenings. Having worked tirelessly to support, strengthen and encourage youth now he can return to his maunga Matawhaura where he can enjoy the refreshing winds of Tawhirimatea.
He can then make his final journey back to Hawaiki.
E Koro, na te Roopu o' Waiariki Purea, nga mahara o te whakatauki, "E hoki ki nga maunga kia purea koe e nga hau a Tawhirimatea". Moe mai i roto te korowai aroha o nga Tupuna...
We also thank Rotu and his whanau for sharing him with us often in weekends and evenings. Having worked tirelessly to support, strengthen and encourage youth now he can return to his maunga Matawhaura where he can enjoy the refreshing winds of Tawhirimatea.
He can then make his final journey back to Hawaiki.
E Koro, na te Roopu o' Waiariki Purea, nga mahara o te whakatauki, "E hoki ki nga maunga kia purea koe e nga hau a Tawhirimatea". Moe mai i roto te korowai aroha o nga Tupuna...
Comments
oparoozy - Going to miss you Putu. You always made an effort to come and talk to me at different events,sometimes just to say hello sometimes to ask for advise on paddling issues.You did a great job with our sport of Waka ama.
07-Mar-2011
MCR - Putu - what a shock to hear of your passing. You were the guiding light for so many people - will miss you
07-Mar-2011
Ra - E Putu nou te rere i mua i te wa tika hei rongo i ou korero hohonu i runga i nga marae maha o to taua waka. Te uri o Potaua whaiwhai atu i ona hikoi i te wa e ora ana ia. Kawea atu to waka tihere i nga karu o ou moana tae ki nga tai paki o te okurei o Tamatekapua hei mua i to wehenga atu ki te Hono i wairua. Haere e te pumau o Te Arawa.
07-Mar-2011
Nana P and Winikerei - Kua hinga te Totara nui o Matawhaura.
E koro haere ki o maatua tupuna kua wehe atu nei mai i tenei ao.
He tino pouri te ngakau.
Ki te whanau pani, ma te atua hei arahi, hei tiaki hoki i a koutou.
07-Mar-2011
Anon - to a dear uncle may you rest in peace so sad to hear about the passing...kia kaha nga te whanau o nga mihaka he mihi kia koe me te aroha...
nga whanau o peter mihaka snr(dec 2009)vera mihaka and his children and mokos
07-Mar-2011
sueana kingi - rip koro putu im al the way n ozie an crystal told me bowt u pasing away im so sory i knt b thea 2 c u off, i wil always remember u helpd me HEAPZ an i had tha best tme n 2004 n twpt u wer jst so awesum an always helpn otherz love u heaps koro putu rest easy nw xoxoxo
08-Mar-2011
Charmaine - I gasp as my heart weeps Matua, of this sudden sad news. Although I did not know you by name but you did me, we shared stories and passion of waka ama and rangatahi. You were like a light that lead the way and attracted paddlers especially rangatahi. You will be surely missed but remembered for many years. Farewell my friend until we meet again.
08-Mar-2011
John Herbert - It is with great sadness that I hear of your passing Matua. Moe mai ra e te rangatira,
08-Mar-2011
Matahi Brightwell and whanau - Putu, you consolidated waka ama in Rotorua with Laurie and Brownie. You've done so much. Input in waka ama lane configuration 1998-2006, successfully ran Te Wananga o Aotearoa pilot course in Rotorua and Taupo, began Roto Hoe series, instrumental in re locating secondary schools Nationals from Auckland to Rotorua, etc...to name a few. I remember in 1998 when you sent Brownie to ask me to help run waka ama wananga. I look back now and see how waka ama in Rotorua has grown...Putu you gave me confidence and pride in my Arawa heritage and always highlighted the beauty of waka.
I will dearly miss you my friend. Haere, haere, haere
08-Mar-2011
Hinerapa Scott - Kei te Papa, kei te tangi toku ngakau mou, kua hoki atu ra ki o tipuna okioki ai, haere atu ra e Pa moe mai ra.
You helped me when I was in need of help and gave me guidence. You opened my eyes to the political world to deal with CYPS and I won. Thank you Papa. Arohanui ki te whanau pani Na Hinerapa
09-Mar-2011
D. - RIP Koro Putu... You've always put a smile on my face whenever your out and about helping and you helped us teens succeed so much in waka ama and for that we thankyou. x
09-Mar-2011
Liz Savage(Krusty) - Your smile and welcoming "Kia Ora" with an invite for a kai and chat is something I will miss Uncle Putu. I feel so honoured to have known you. Heartfelt condolences to Rotu and family. Lots and Lots of Aroha - RIP.
09-Mar-2011
Damian sutton and whanau - it sad to see you go but i was so fortunate to know you. you convinced me to push my boundaries and achieve to the highest of my ability. you convinced me to announce at the waka ama secondaries and to take on coaching.I will miss our talks at wananga out on the porch with a cup of tea.Your knowledge and skills will never be lost as you passed it on to so many within te arawa and you inspired many. it was an honour to paddle you across the lake and take you to your finally resting place. you will never be forgotten and you will remain in the hearts of many. make your way now to your final resting place and please watch over us as we are thinking of you always.
10-Mar-2011
Pearl Conner and Family - It was with a fright to hear of uncle putu's passing, I found out today. I could not make it but uncle would understand that I could not make it. I would not be who I am without his influence. My children would not be the same either. He influenced our lives to be the best we could be. We will greatly miss him
11-Mar-2011