Late in 2007, one of our members, Norman Hunapo suffered a huge stroke. We didn't think at the beginning that he was even going to make it but we kept our faith true and not only did he make it but he is slowly improving.

It has been a great strain on Te Whanau a Hunapo and we awhi them as much as we can. They are working really hard to make sure Norman has them around as much as possible. That isn't easy when you have to work to keep everyday life going too....

Kia Kaha, Veronica ! ! Kia kaha me nga tamariki me nga mokopuna a Norman ! !...

The plan was for a 1pm performance, but as Maori Time Goes... I think it was around 2:30 before we saw some action.

I don't think many of the residents minded . . . I am sure many of them don't have such whanau who come to see them as often. One beautiful old lady kept humming "Now is the hour", as she knew this song well.

She asked our chairman where he was from and then told him the tale of when she was but a girl, her Dad put them all, her and her Mum and himself into a cage on a ship headed for New Zealand. From England they stowed away and made it all the way to their destination where she attended school in Gisborne.

Another old chap was born and bred in Beenleigh. spent his life here and there and eventually, many many years later his son brought him back to Beenleigh for his old years. He had just celebrated his ninety third birthday.

 Above: Nannie Lorrie's voice carries across the room in welcome to the Roopu.                                                      >>>

Above middle: Norman's grandson Glen.

Our Chairman brought along one of the trucks from his job to hopefully take Norman for a ride around the block, as promised at a previous visit when Norman was still in Beenleigh Hospital, but as 'time' will always have it's own way, we ran out ...

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Two of Normans mokopuna have joined a Kapahaka Roopu, "Te Whanau Tautoko..., who held a performance at the Nursing Home on Sunday 27th April. It was awesome.

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Time was 'a tickin' and these beautiful people were waiting for some entertainment. Nanny Lorrie came forth with the guitar and sang some beautiful waiata to help that time go by...

Te Whanau Tautoko made their grand entrance with the low tones of the shells to mark their presence.

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The performance moved many of us to tears. The wairua from the Grandsons touched us as they put their ALL into their actions.

The harmonics sounded loud and true almost raising the roof from the foundations...so much so that there was a commotion to see if a couple of the residents were okay watching the remainder of the performance.
Only one or two left the room, as the rest were carried by the awesome wairua that the Roopu possessed...


Waiata ataahua...


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We did get in a photo though...

...and then we had to go. But what a wonderful afternoon we had, thanks to Veronica, Mel , Mem , the Mokopuna and Te Whanau Tautoko...and the wonderful staff and residents of the Nursing Home in Beenleigh...