Whakawhetai Whenua at North Parade

Today we celebrated an exciting step for Laura Fergusson Brain Injury Trust, with a whakawhetai whenua marking the beginning of work at 126 North Parade, our future home.   

We were fortunate to host whānau that we serve, mana whenua, Te Taumata Tapu o Ngāi Tūāhuriri, Right Honourable Mayor Phil Mauger and his wife Chrissy,Richmond, Pareawa Banks Avenue School, members of the LFBIT Board, Senior Leadership Members and Kaimahi.  

Charmaine Tukua-Pouwhare commenced the ceremony with a Pao, short impromptu song of welcome, to acknowledge the theme of the day and those present. It was extra special to have Charmaine, as we learnt that her first role out of school was as a support worker at Ilam Road!  

Next, Jacob Harmon, representing Te Taumata Tapu o Ngāi Tuahuriri, delivered a karakia whakatau, followed by all joining to sing Te Aroha. Mayor Phil Mauger delivered a speech to acknowledge all of the hard work it took to get to this day, and what it will mean for the city.  

We were able to whakanoa the process and ended the morning together with morning tea provided by Can Do Catering. 

The blessing on the ground is a significant milestone as it acknowledges physically the often-unseen steps to reach this point. It signals a new phase and acknowledges the collective efforts of those who have contributed to the journey to get here, and those who may have moved on or passed on. The blessing also aims to reaffirm mana whenua’s pivotal role in leading spaces and places at the forefront of process and procedure, which is mana enhancing and culturally in sync with the path we follow.