Our oldest girls first day of school started with the selection of ngaio leaves which were blessed in the waters of Te Tai o Marokura and then sprinkled over Waitohi near the mouth of the Waikōwau, whilst accompanied with karakia. We then introduced Waitohi to Hāpuku kura. After kura we, the whānau, went down to the mouth of the Hāpuku river to bless our baby again in it’s flowing waters bringing strength, confidence and courage to her on this, the beginning of her next rite of passage. Kia toa e te taonga, ahakoa te aha, kei tō taha mātou, ka taea e koe xx
