The Estuary - in memory of Aunty Mere.

Had a very moving moment this morning. A lovely lady and a real taonga or treasure, has passed away. This lady, known to all as Aunty Mere, worked in the school for many years, helping establish the Whanau classes and assisting with the Maori language throughout the school. She was very skilled in the traditional crafts and shared her knowledge freely. When I was learning to speak Maori through extramural study with Massey University,  the years work finished with us having to deliver a speech or korero  in Maori at a Marae in Palmerston North at the end of a full immersion weekend. This wonderful lady not only helped us throughout the years learning but came with us to Palmerston North to support us with her presence. It was so good to have her there through this very nerve wracking occasion.

Today, as the funeral procession drove slowly past the school, staff and pupils lined the road outside the school and the Whanau  Class children performed a very moving haka  to show their love and respect and farewell her. It was my regular day to help out at school and so was able to join them in saying goodbye.