Many thanks to those who have generously donated to this cause.
Your donation is currently being processed and will be paid to Mel Cuddy on behalf of Alicia Toki later this month. This will help the whānau in so many ways at this difficult time. Ngā mihi nui
From the hearts of all of Karnin’s Whanau we would all like to express our immense gratitude for everyone’s kind words, koha and awhi over the past week. We have all been so truly overwhelmed by the love and support which has helped carry us through this difficult time.
We cannot even name everyone and we are sorry if we have forgotten to mention you but we would like to make some special acknowledgements…
First off, to the Whangarei Police Department, Mario Kake and Tony Hill you have been a pillar for us throughout this time. To the officer manning the cordon at Whareora road, we appreciate you too, you were kind and patient with us.
All of the search and rescue teams, volunteers and the Whangarei Fire Brigade, you left your whanau that day to be with ours and we will forever be grateful to you for bringing our baby back home to us.
To the medical teams, ambulance crews and ED staff (Whangarei Hospital) who supported us through that night we appreciate you too.
To the local Iwi and Hapū who offered awhi and karakia, Ngati Wai and Ngati Kahu o Torongare.
From Te Whatu Ora, Whangarei Hospital there are so many of you…
- Vibe cafe/admin for providing so much aroha and kai.
- Whangarei Hospital Takawaenga and Chaplain services, especially Matua Cameron and Pa Peter.
- To everyone in Theatre, Endoscopy and Ward 15/Stroke Unit, thank you for your continued support, flowers, pillows and warm blankets.
- Laundry and Porters for so much awhi and Manaaki.
- The spotless crew.
- Ward 4 thank you for the love and kai.
- CAT team Whangarei Hospital nga mihi.
From the community there are so many of you too…
- Meat at Maunu Butchery.
- Portable Loo’s Northland.
- Rental Experts.
- Northland Waste
- TLC4U2 Ltd for your love, jackets and gumboots.
- Cowleys Hire Whangarei.
- Sergeant Builders
- Pak n Save Whangarei.
- Haven Falls Whangarei.
- Growers food market.
- Floyd Automotives Kaikohe.
- Whangarei traffic management.
- Mangamuka STMS Roadworks
- Bunnings Whangarei.
To the teachers and students from Whangarei Boys/Girls high School, Tikipunga High School, Whangarei Intermediate, Whanau Waimirirangi, Horahora primary school, Te Kura Kaupapa, Rawhiti Roa, Raurimu Kohanga Reo, we are grateful for you all.
To all our babies in the community, go and live your life, be happy and be proud, you are all amazing. Continue to do the things you love. Laugh like you mean it. Do not be afraid. Get back in the water and speak your Reo with pride, that is what Karnin would have wanted. Love each other, hold each other and together we will all get through this tough time and any more to come.
To everyone far and wide who contributed to the give a little page, oh my goodness!! There are no words!! This will help the Whanau in so many more ways than you know.
Again, we apologise to all those we have forgotten, the community has been amazing!
To the parents and boys involved, our hearts go out to you, sending lots of aroha and awhi to you all from our Whanau.
Finally, to the media thank you for respecting our wishes and giving us the time to mourn. The time will come for the Whanau to speak up but we appreciate you let us do that in our own time.
To the nation and the world…. we love and thank you from the deepest part of our hearts xx
