Coming of Age

Mana (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 7, 29 September 1977, Page 7

Coming of Age

A group of about 300 friends and relatives gathered at Mt Roskill Memorial Hall, earlier this month to join with Karen Tangiwai PAAPU and her family to celebrate her 21st birthday.

At a very young age, Karen had an unfortunate accident that caused her considerable brain damage. She later spent some years at schools for the handicapped.

Special tribute "to her mother, Mrs Ripeka Paapu, a foundation member of the Maori Womens Welfare League, and past President of the Queen Victoria Old

Girls Association, who with her family, through their

love, patience and understanding have provided a

positive environment for Karen. The late Mr Anaru Paapu, Maori Welfare Officer of the Maori Affairs would have been proud to witness this miracle, his daughter reaching the age of 21, despite the predictions of the Medical Professors.

Karen’s family catered for all aspects of the evening, her brother Houwawe as Master of Ceremony, sister Hera spoke on her behalf, and Kiri, Hine, Marama, Anna

with their Samoan, Tongan and Fijian friends prepared and served a sumptuous supper of varied dishes. Refreshment attendants were Dennis, Anthony and Earle Williams, John Howie, Conrad, Marvin and Justine Hakaraia, and John Vaioleti.

Her grandfather, Iraia Poata commenced the serious section of the evening with a speech of welcome on behalf of the family, which was followed by Henare Pikahu of Parapara, Ngati Kahu, presenting the key to Karen.

Everyone enjoyed spontaneous items, the highland fling from Scotland, a dutch song from Holland, and Pacific Island songs and dancing which was in response to a Northland Maori Custom, of calling on different tribes and nationalities to come forward to receive a piece of cake and to reciprocate with a speech and an item.

The “Belvederes” musical band provided the music.

Tena koe Karen. Kia mau koe kite kupu a ou matua. .