Karakia for Te Kāinga Wānanga

On Wednesday 08 June we had a very special occasion at our boys’ kāinga as construction came to a close and our heritage building has now been totally refurbished. We blessed the kāinga with mana whenua, Ngāti Whātua o Ōrākei. A dawn ceremony, we gathered our rangatahi, staff, Board members alongside several raukura (alumni) who joined us for this significant event in the history of InZone.

We were humbled to be counselled by Renata Blair whose words of encouragement and warning enlivened our rangatahi to be courageous and strong in this decade of decision in regards to the choices they will make. He reminded them to Me Rangatira te Tū!

Nikau Reti-Beazley spoke on behalf of the raukura and expressed his joy at seeing the love and mahi that continues to be poured into InZone. Nikau, Denzel, Logan and Johnno were amazed at the difference in the kāinga following the refurbishment since their years boarding with us. We look forward to future visits from them and their fellow raukura.

InZone Chair Jim and CEO Jason also had the opportunity to speak and express their gratitude to Ngāti Whātua o Ōrākei as well as Bruce Plested and James Mace who made it possible to build and refurbish our facilities.

The karakia was completed with a beautiful kai together. We look forward to the official opening of the premises with our friends and neighbours at the end of July!