One of the beautiful parts of having our Marae operating is whanau bringing their connections, their mate [sic] and the memories of those who have buried elsewhere, home to Ripia who awaits to recieve their memory and be settled with tupuna who await them.

On Friday 7th, Ripia had a powhiri where many of the hau kainga filled the marae to welcome home those who had passed during the time of the refurbishment of the marae.

The Toia whanau brought home over four whanau who hono and connect with Tupuna and whanau of Ripia Marae making it a special occassion and a beautiful display of whanau kotahi and an ope of over 130 whanau members who brought their whanau home to Ripia.

Powhiri was performed by Matua Rex, Scottie Williams, Tim Tipene, Rachel and Moira who believed it was a beautiful sight to see the wharenui [Te Orikena] full with ahikaroa, aroha and manaaki.

Ki te whanau kua heke mai nei, nau mai, haere mai, whakatau mai ra… Welcome home!