Kia ora e te whānau, 

With the start of the school year finally here you could be forgiven for feeling like we spent the last two years on one very long school holiday! Our lives look very different today than two years ago, that’s for sure.

I spent a good part of the holidays with three of my grandsons, 4, 5 & 6yrs old. Armed with Papa’s ute, endless snacks, sunblock and a couple of boogie boards, we traversed the lesser-known swimming spots around us. Deep and meaningful conversations were had around what we would use our superpowers for if we were bitten by a radioactive spider like spider-man. You know, the important issues of today. Hanging out with my boys was more than giving their parents a break on some very hot days. It was us having some fun, spending time together and creating memories. We hid little treasures in some of our favourite spots in the hope that when we visit again, they will be there. I got to share some of my memories and stories of these places with them, and in doing this I strengthened their belonging to these places. They will grow up feeling connected and bound to the stories and places we have shared. It will help form their identity and a sense of responsibility to care for these places as those before them have. This essentially is my boys learning their whakapapa. Their understanding of who they are in relation to not just their family but their environment as well. I encourage you to help your children connect to who they are, and I look forward to connecting with you very soon.

Don’t forget we have two closed facebook groups for our region, the links are below.  We also have our Virtual Support Groups online.  Click the link HERE to register for these.  And, as always you can give me a call for a chat on 0275010395. 

Mā te wā, bye for now 

Nyvonne