Man what a night, I always knew I come from a wonderful place but last night I really got to experience manaaki, aroha, tautoko, mana, awhi, kaha and a real sense of belonging. My whakapapa in te tau ihu spands far and wide and last night I really felt like I belong not only to my close whanau but to all parts of my whakapapa. It was alot of hard work for mum, all the planning, selling tickets, organising schedules, speakers, timing of events. I can't express enough the love and gratitude I have to mum and Mat. Everyone talks about how they couldn't get by without their mum, that is the case for me but she is more than that. She is the brains behind everything we do, she executes everything to the finest detail, she works tirelessly and leaves nothing to chance and relies on no one just herself and at times will give me and the boys the odd jobs to help out. I've just seen the latest support on here and once again, I am so grateful to people I have never met. There is one person I really want to say thanks to and that's my aunty Debbie (mum sister) that I have never met. I promise one-day to meet you aunty and I will never forget the support you have given me on this journey. To everyone last night, thanks so much, Aunty Caz and aunty Vic, Aunty Rachael and the Tokomaru/waikawa whanau! You were great entertainment and the $200 you koha through selling yourselves!! unforgettable and what a crack up. But all laughs aside the fact you thought more of me by helping me out leaves me humbled. To all my mum aunty's Pat, Di, Leah, Hine, no matter what you support our whanau all the time and I am grateful. Uncle Rua and Aunty Julie thanks heaps for your support. To all my mates that were there Tay, Jordy, Chad, Tama. The list goes on! Lastly I had to get up early and get back to 1st xv training....what a night! Thank you so much whanau and our community for supporting me. Forever grateful and more determind to reach my goals. Tailah
