It’s the last tour for Dad
Dad’s Last Tour: support for Witemara Rakete
Northland
On 18 July 2021, our world was changed forever when my father, Witemara Rakete (Wi) was diagnosed with Stage 4 kidney cancer and given the hard news that he has eight months left.
We will make sure every sunrise is celebrated with family, friends, coffee, beaches, mornings playing his guitar and as much laughter and light as possible.
Many of our whanau and friends have asked for a way to help and share their support. A visit in person is best, a phone call is awesome, and a karakia is always welcome. However, if you’d like to provide koha, we’ve made this page to ensure your support goes towards Dads care and ensuring he has a bloody good time for the rest of his days.
Dad has always been the life of the party, has a smile for you when you’re down and is known for packing his guitar on every single tour and hui across the country. He’s had a star studded career spanning over 30 years with many of the talented folk across New Zealand film and TV broadcasting, he’s given a kind word of support for many of our national athletes before they take to the field or court as well as first timer 16 year old kids that are learning the ropes on cabling. He has time for everyone, and is known as the fun colleague, mate, brother, dad, HP boy, uncle, koro and cousin. His laughter is infectious. And we will keep laughing with him to the very end.
Tiana x
Tiana Rakete's involvement (page creator)
He’s my very strict guitar tutor, deliverer of terrible Dad jokes and father.
Use of funds
Money will go towards seeing out Dads wishes in his last days (whatever the kids are calling a bucket list these days)
Latest update
Nga mihi aroha ki a koutou 2 March 2022
Kia ora tatou
First of all I wanted to thank every single one of you for your tautoko and support for Wi over this incredibly tough but treasured time. The putea that has been generously donated was put towards a trip to Wellington in between chemo treatments for Dad to have his wrap party in Petone in December. Many of you were able to make it - about 80 in fact - which, considering we had a 5 day lead in time, was pretty incredible!
The remainder of the funds so far have been put towards things like massages, decent coffee and things that Dad wants to do when his energy allows. There's talk of 'getting in de chopper' so we will see if this COVID situation will ease off so we can hook up a chopper flight over Whangarei.
Since I started this page, a lot has happened. Dad is now living in Whangarei back to a place that holds many special memories for our whanau (Dad grew up here) and is much closer to Hokianga. Some days are tough, but he is tougher. He is still on chemo treatments and taking everything in his stride and doing bloody well considering. I've somehow managed to get him to slow down from running a schedule "to the second" haha - no easy feat for you broadcasting alumni!
Thanks again everyone, the love and support that has been shown to Wi and our whanau has been humbling and heart-warming to say the least. If you have the chance to make it north and want to visit, just drop myself or Wi a line. Every phone call makes his day.
Sending love from the winterless north (26 degrees today!)
from our whanau to yours
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