Tautoko the tamariki of Chassy Roberts

Chassy Roberts was a ringa raupa to the core. He was an incredible gardener, & a mentor to many, with the cheekiest grin & a warm heart. Above all – he was an amazing father who loved his babies, whom he would do anything for.

Sadly Chassy passed away after a short illness earlier this month. Chassy has eight children, including three who are currently a part of our Wharekura whānau.

As a parent, Chassy was the type of man that would put his hand up to help us kaiako with any kaupapa. If we needed kaimahi, Chaz would be there, without a doubt & with a smile on his face. He worked hard alongside Whaea Becky and He Puāwai Trust to establish the māra kai at Te Kura Matua o Wainuiomata, planting kamokamo that we are still harvesting.

No matter what Chaz had going on, he would be there – every hui, every celebration, every fundraiser, we could count on Chassy to support us & his tamariki.

This was especially evident in the last six months as we have fundraising hard to get 33 kids, including one of Chassy’s sons, to travel to the unceded territory of Secwépemc, Canada this June. As a part of the haerenga, we have been invited to perform at the Kamloopa Powwow & to attend indigenous literature workshops under Alice Te Punga Somerville (Te Āti Awa) at the University of British Columbia. Chassy’s son is in Year 12, and an integral kaihaka in our kapa Te Tira Whakaau. Chaz loved our wharekura & we need your help to continue to manaaki his whānau through this heart-breaking time.