Miles of smiles at the Raetihi 100th

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 13, Issue 631, 9 April 1996, Page 1

Miles of smiles at the Raetihi 100th

More than 1000 people gathered outside the gates of Raetihi School on Saturday, waiting for past pupil Keith Haitana to ring the school bell and summon them onto the school grounds. A friendly, welcoming Maori powhiri followed, with action songs and haka performed by school pupil s. People had travelled from all over the country aswell as many from Australia, North America and even India, to be with their old school friends. Representing the T angata Whenua, Mark Cribb spoke to the large crowd, with a reply from past pupil Harry Te Wano and later, past pupil as well as past teacher, Doug Wright. After replying to the Tangata Whenua in Maori, Mr Wright translated what he had said to the crowd, explaining that he had thanked the hosts for their efforts in preparing for the weekend. He said he had 'elected himself to speak on behalf of the visitors 'because some mug had to come up here'. He explained that he had spoken of the manu korero — "that' s all the chirping over the marae and we will all be chirp, chirp chirping well into the night." As well as plenty of time for the expected 'chirping', organisers of the centenary had planned bus tours around the area as well as helicopter rides, plus a church service on Sunday.