BOOK LAUNCH AND LIBRARY VISIT

We had a wonderful book launch at TE TUHI ARTS CENTRE Pakuranga on June 5th which is the first day of Matariki, Maori new year.
The launch was hosted by Tangata Whenua, and other pacific folk also took part in the ceremony.Local school children sang beautifully for us, and visiting young Pacific folk
also sang for us in a most accomplished way.
The cultures represented were Maori, Samoan, Tongan, Niue, Fijian,Chinese (both Cantonese and Mandarin) and European including a relative with a "broad" Scottish accent. There was a great feeling of unity and Aroha. There was also an understanding that many shared the same Pacific ancestor, Manawatere, who returned to the world that day, particularly for the tamariki of all cultures.
Overhead a DVD was shown of the beautiful children, of Raukatauri Music Therapy Trust, having a great time making music with their therapists. Part of the proceeds from the sale of each book, goes to this Trust, so more children can be helped.

Thankyou so much to everyone who participated, and to those who made it possible for this to be such a fantastic day.

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On Friday I spoke to the children of the Tusi Tara book club, at Mangere Bridge library.
The children loved the book THE GIFT OF MAMAKU. Each child made and illustrated a thankyou card and presented it to us.The children enjoyed meeting my daughter, and she loved meeting them.

Robina