Thank you Tutukaka
Nga Mihi ki te Runga Rawa mo ana manaakitanga ki runga i a tatou
Ka mihi ki nga mate, haere, haera atu ra
Kia tatou nga waihotanga o ratou kua ngaro, tena ra tatou katoa.
He mihi tenei ki nga maunga tapu o Rawhiti, Ki nga tai tapu, ki nga hapu me nga whanaunga o Ngati wai, mo ou koutou manaakitanga kei runga maua taku hoa. Kei waenganui koutou te Manu tapu o Taiamai e nohoa nga ra kua pahure. Oho ake te wairua te ihi me te wehi i nga ahua me nga Taoanga o ou tatou matua tupuna. Ka mihia kia koutou e te iwi, he manawa mahaki ka mihi, ka mihi.
Firstly I aknowledge the creator and also to those of our loved ones who have recently left us, last but not least I acknowledge the living, we who have remained to continue our journey of life, greetings one and all.
I give honour and thanks to the sacred mountains peaks, to the sacred tides and to the families of Ngati Wai who looked over us as we rested for time among you. You embraced the sacred manu of Taiamai. your beauty gave vibrance and refreshment to the spirit, to the soul indeed tis the gift of the ancestors. with a humble heart I salute you.
My wife Judy and I had the priviledge and honor of being hosted by some really cool people and businesses from the world famous Tutukaka coast last week. Tutukaka is situated on the east coast of Northland only 20 minutes out of Whanagrei and what a beautiful coast line it is. With white sandy beaches and hideaway coves teaming with all varieties of fishlife and shellfish the Tutukaka coast is indeed a slice of paradise and believe me when I mean paradise. The Tutukaka coast rates right up there as does all the coastal inlets and harbours of sub tropical Northland. Our personal thanks go out to Jeroen and Kate including their friendly team from Dive Tutukaka - www.diving.co.nz - for sharing with us their secret and fantastic diving places, to Sally Kidd and Sharmaine Hoey including the team from Coastal Holiday Homes - www.coastalholidayhomes.co.nz - who provided us with one of the most fantastic views of the Tutukaka coastline while we stayed in High Peak and to Nick and Esther and the team of Schnapper Rock - www.schnapparock.co.nz - who hosted us for breakfast and Dinner at their fine restaurant while Judy and I enjoyed our 16th wedding anniversary.
Diving in some of the clearest waters of Northlands east coast near the world famous diving aquatic playground of the Poor nights, staying in a luxurious coastal holiday home with panoramic views of the absolutely stunning Tutukaka coastline plus dining at one of the finest cafe / restaurants in Northland and all of this while in the company of my wife who is the most beautiful woman in the world, I indeed was in Paradise. Thank you Tutukaka
Hone Mihaka
