Robert & Lyn Waaka and Whanau
Ko Tainui toku Waka
Ko Taupiri toku Maunga
Ko Ngati Mahanga toku Hapu
Ko Te Papa O Rotu toku Marae
Robert (Bob) and Lyn Waaka helped found the club back in 1977. Both Bob and Lyn were made Life Members in 1990 making them the first 2 members to hold this honour.
Lyn (an australian of Yugoslavian decent) travelled to New Zealand on a working holiday and returned a few years later with a loving husband and 3 children. It was only a few years later that Bob saw the need for his children to hold onto their Maori heritage and decided with a number of other Maoris to form Te Arohanui. Sadly Bob pased away in 1989 leaving Lyn and 3 teenage children to keep his dream alive and keep Te Arohanui Maori Club going. Today Lyn and Bob's son Lee and wife Angie and family are social members of the club, daughter Tania and husband Tane Wildermott are Tutors for Te Arohanui and youngest daughter Nicola is a performing member of the club.
Wai Payne and Whanau
Ray & Margaret Fenton
Click on the above picture to read and see Ray & Margaret's fond memories of their days with Te Arohanui.
(see aunty i did it...easy eh!! )
John & Josie Steadman
The Maori community lost Josie Steadman recently due to illness. I will endeavour to have a profile of Josie and her family on here as soon as possible.
Matt & Sheila Hape
Kohi & Lyn Heare
Mike Walker
Mike's bio will appear soon.
Life Members
Special thanks goes to the Life Members, who have given so much to the growth and future of Te Arohanui Maori Culture Club
Ethel Amphlett
Tony Amphlett
Dot Merito
Richard Merito
Bob Kihi
Wai Payne
Lyn Waaka
The Late Bob Waaka
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