Guestbook
Welcome to our guestbook, please feel free to leave your message here.
From: Losh Matthews- 8 March 2009
Kia Ora Nga Whanau.
What a great site where we can remember our very beginnings by a click of the button. We have been in Australia for Many years and every time we come Home to our beginnings where the Whangaehu River Flows through The Same Banks That Our Ancestors played, we feel their Spirits of Love And Gratitude as we journey Down The Rieds Hill, along The Cranston Flats & past the Willow Trees that guide over The River Of Our Promised Land. The Greatness of all our Forefathers and Mothers are a Marvel that we will always treasure and we will endeavour to pass their greatness onto our Childrens Childrens Children. May God Continue to Bless All Our Whanau In Abundance as he has always Done.!!!!
Our Great Koro Harry Laing is Going to be remembered for all his greatness through the World first Sport Of Box'Tag which is taking Australia by Storm. Check Out Our website: www.strongarmboxing.com or view Losh Matthews Facebook and My Space Profiles. Join Our friendly site so we can make a big difference in building both our Australian and New Zealand Cultures Through our World First Sport Of Box'Tag. Also View The Best Of Box'Tag Bouts On Utube under Box'Tag. My Uncle Jim Rota Has Continually Helped and Inspired me to Build This World First Sport In Our Koro's Honour, and I am Deeply Grateful for his Love and Sharing Of The Many Stories That He And My Dad Harry Peter Matthews had in their upbringing.
To My Koro Harry Martin Whom took My Fathher under his great Wing Of Learning And Wisdom, My Love Is Greater Now That Will Ever be For You, As it is Only recently I discovered That You My Koro Harry Martin The Dummy whom My Father got the Nick Name,That you were on The Fordell Railway Station Platform when Our Koro Harry Laing had jumped off to say his last goodbyes to you without realising that the Train Was moving at the Time. It was from here that Koro Harry Laing had lost his Dream Of Becoming a World Champion Boxer.E Koro,If I had Just A Small Portion Of The Wisdom That You Had Passed On to My Dad Harry Peter Matthews, My Life Will Be Fulfilled.
Koro Harry Laing Won His first 44 Fights Through Knockouts and he had Lost his first fight because he was Sober. Uncle Jim Rota had Told Me That he used to drink whiskey prior to his fights to help him to be relaxed and to stop him from feeling the Pain Of The Punches.
It Is My Hope That Our Children Of The Future will not have to suffer the Pains That He Bore to help them to Fight Emotionally And Physically, but they will be taught The Skills & Fitness Of Boxing To Help them To Defeat All Mountains Of Adversity and Oppression. Tena Katou Tena Katou Tena Katou Katoa.
From; Regina Howard - 8 November 2006
Tena Koutou Katoa,
Ko Moyra Howard (nee Tamehana) Toku Mama. Ko Paul Howard Toku Papa, Ko Barben Tamehana Toku Koro, Ko Mere Roka toku Kuia. Ko Regina Toku ingoa. I was recently in Wanganui on a class trip, But unfortunately didn't make it out to visit our marae. I also met an Uncle (cousin i think of my mum's) George Matthews and it was a true pleasure. This site is awesome and I look forward to returning here to find more and more I can about my whanau. Aroha Tino Nui Ki a Koutou Katoa.
From; Mei Hawkins - 7 June 2006
Ki ora,
Thankyou for the beautiful mahi that is on Ngatiapa. It was cool to see that Ngatiapa is on the map. I am from Te Hauke about 13 miles out of Hastings. My connection with Ngati Apa is through my husband's grandfather, his name was Matiu Pukunui. We went back to the opening of Kauangaroa it was awesome, the marae had lots of TLC and it brought the community back together again. It just goes to show that even through the trials and tribulations the people of Kauangaroa can stand tall and know that their marae is open to the next generation that is here today.
From; Cushla Manaia - 11 May 2006
Kiaora, whanau from Ngati Apa.
I recently had a look through the latest mag of Te Tapikitanga O Apa. What a great issue. I especially liked the information of Kauangaroa. With all the Whanau there and keeping the place well maintained. I look forward to coming back on in October to check out the makeover that they have done to the marae and the gardens. Kia kaha Whanau and keep up the great work.
P.S Congrats to Emily on the wedding.
Ka Kite
From; Pania-Rose Taitapu Ward - 22 April 2006
Kiaora nga whanau o Ngati Apa.
My name is Pania-Rose Taitapu Ward. I am the great granddaughter of Ruihi Hiroti and William Smith Of Whangaehu, My grans name was Taitapu Smith and her daughter, my mum is Taitapu Rangi Rangi now Lambert. I live in the UK and am looking for whanau of Ruihi Hiroti. Love to hear from anyone. AROHANUI PR
From; Brooke Turia - 23 March 2006
Kia Ora Kia Ora to everyone working hard at the runanga and to all the whaanau at home browsing the web at this moment. Kia Ora John and Juddy, I see you two beat me to the guestbook - ow! Just a quick note to tell everyone that I'm looking forward to seeing you all at the waananga held at Whangaehu Marae on the 31st of March... I'm sure it'll be fun, and would be awesome to catch up with you all. Nga mihi Brooke
From; Erina Kelly (nee Whareherehere / Murray) - 14 March 2006
Kia Ora My name is Erina and I am trying to locate any information regarding my grandfather Maremare Whareherehere Te Awaroa. Information I have is that his family was from the Whanganui area, if you have any info or know anyone who may be able to help it would be appreciated. Cheers
From; Barb Campbell - 13 March 2006
Kia ora te whanau o Ngati Apa. Just wanting to touch base ano with our whanau.
I'm Eileen Pearson's youngest daughter (Barbie nee Lawrence). I'm the community nurse for Te Puna Hauora here in Tauranga. Would love to korero some/all of you at some stage.
From; Justin Gush - 21 February 2006
Tena tatou nga whanau o NGATI APA. Ko Justin Shane Ngahina Gush toku ingoa. No Parewanui me Ratana Pa ahau. I would just like to send a huge 'Mihi' to all of our whanau from NGATI APA and to everyone at the Runanga for all the awesome mahi you are doing for our people. MAURI ORA ki tatou katoa.
From; John Crawford - 16 February 2006
Kia ora Whanau. Just passing on a message from the cousins in Aussie they would like to say a big mihi to the site for posting our nan's tangi information on here as they now have something other than what I have sent to hold on to. For those of you who don't know me, I am Marilyn Crawfords son (middle son) Daughter of Adrina (Thompson) and Douglas Te Patu. Nga mihi aroha kia koutou!
From; Bob Paparua Hina aka John - 24 January 2006
When I was reading through the guestbook, I saw a message from "Te Ao Maraama" asking about her koro, Bob Hina. I am curious to know who Te Ao Maraama's parents are. Is there a way, through this website, that I could make contact with the family eg. email address;even if my email address could be passed on to the family of Te Ao Maraama. I am from Kauangaroa, born there in 1948 but left when I was 12. My koro was Bob Paparua Hina. My mother was Lena. Looking forward to hearing from someone.
From; Jean Burling-Claridge (Nee HINA) - 16 January 2006
Kia ora whanau, It is gratifying to see those of you who maintain direct contact to Ngati Apa creating and giving us 'absentees' a web site to view. It has been a while since I left(1968)and have only been back twice....To all of you my aroha..... Jean Burling-Claridge (nee HINA) (yep im still with Tony, 3 Kids and 4 moko)
From; Cheryl (Kara) Rangi - 4 January 2006
Awesome reading on your site. Nice to see & read news from home. All the whanau photos CHOICE. Shona Kapea I use to babysit you when you were a baby your family lived above a shop in the middle of town (Wanganui),I would love to catch up with you now. Get my email address from Adrian Rurawhe. Adrian & I worked in NZ Railways in Wellington (Finance & Accounts Branch) Great catching up with you Adrian when you came to Aussie. Keep up the good work,& God Bless.
From; Murray Woodcock -15 December 2005
Kia ora my name is Murray Woodcock some of you might remember me as the little blonde haired kid at the Whangaehu Store where my parents Jim and Sue Woodcock owned. 1958-1977 I've tried to find some imformation about Whangaehu and it's Rohe where I come from for ages ... and all this info, has just been tremendous to learn......... of this website. I have passed on url to some ngati Apa I know well, where I teach Computer at Te Hono in Highbury P.North. Well done! e koe whakamihi
From; Hone Nuku Tarawhiti - 3 December 2005
Kiaora from Auckland (Tamaki Makaurau). I am related to Karipa Tarawhiti from Kauangaroa. Well done on your website it is very stimulating and I am sure that it will be very beneficial for all people like myself seeking their family links.Good luck and well done. Ka oho te ra..!
From; Te Ao Marama - 19 November 2005
kiaora my name is te ao maraama i am only 10 years old but I know my koro is from ngati apa his name is koro bob hina i am trying to find out more about my koro side of ngati apa
From; Pollyanne Smith - 21 October 2005
This is really lovely thanks to you all for sharing with family away from home. God Bless.
From; Shona Kapea-Maslin - 16 September 2005
Nga mihi aroha nui Just thought I would leave a message as to the latest panui of Te Tapikitanga o Apa. It was great to see photos of the Mathews whanau as it has been some time since I saw Losh and Joan, as it would have been about 9 years ago - just before my Dad (Te Kapo Kapea)passed away. It's amazing how some people never seem to age at all - how wonderful that must be! To everyone passing through this site - stay well.
From; Natasha Matthews - 28 August 2005
Loving the new site layout, thanks for putting The Matthews Whanau in the links!
From; John Smith - 24 August 2005
Kia ora, im from Te Arawa but i just found this site about your rohe and it looks really good, lots of information too. Ill definitely pass the url onto my friends who are from the Ngati Apa rohe.