Awhi Mai Stroke Trust three-day conference (1-3 Oct 2019) at Te Papaiouru marae in Ōhinemutu

In October 2019, our Kaumatua Rukingi Haupapa led a conference bringing together people who have survived stroke. Thank you to the Disability Commissioner Paula Tesoriero for attending, supporting, listening and speaking. Our association was there as well with student volunteers, members of our board, and practising speech-language therapists.

Photo credit - Wai-Kai Shyu, Student at University of Auckland

If you turn on subtitles (CC) you can follow along to the Waiata that Rukingi Haupapa generously wrote for our association.

Ko te toho o te rangatira, ko tōnā reo
Tu kaha tu maia ki tōnā ao
Nā te aituā, mate tīnana
ka pā ki te kōrero o te tangata
Ko te ora o te rangatira, ko tōnā reo
Tō mātou mahi he awhi, he arahi
i te hunga hauā ki Te Ao Tūroa
Ko te kai o te rangatira ko te kōrero

The sign of a person is reflected in his language
Standing strong and tall in this world
Accident and illness
affect the communicating abilities of the person
The wellness of a person is reflected in his voice
Our work is to support, guide and teach people
with disabilities in today's changing world
Communication is essential to how we live

Video of pōwhiri:
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/muriwai/ne...

Media coverage of the event
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/front-page...
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/bay-of-ple...