This past Sunday the 5th of March, our tamāhine Diva-Ataahua Ratu put on the first of our Kei Hea Te Kōmako E Kō Community Projects! Diva’s project ‘An ATAAHUA Evening with Diva and Friends’ raised funds to provide carvings for the wharenui at Rodney College.

The fundraiser was an awesome showcase of the creative performing arts, including a play, poetry performances, dances and musical items. It was an enriching showcase of culture and a demonstration of solid community spirit, with whānau going above and beyond to contribute to the cause.

Many of Diva’s fellow Urutapu tamāhine also made it out to the event, putting on a collective performance as part of the night. Having such an awesome turn out in this beautiful and small community was a testament to Diva’s incredible strengths and gifts.

Held at Te Hana Te Ao Marama, Diva’s project manifested itself as a powerfully moving occasion that brought whānau and community together from across the rohe. Urutapu’s Tuakana and Internal Evaluator Waimirirangi Koopu-Stone shared her experience of the event:

Diva's fundraiser brought a humbling grace on to the whenua of Te Hana Te Āo Mārama last night. Having known Diva for about 7 months now and seeing the amount of growth she has made in those 7 months is inspiring. With a group of 10 tamāhine, all with different talents and skill sets, we've all had the opportunity to see each tamāhine grow at their own pace and in their own different ways. Diva is one of our quiet tamāhine, always only speaking when and if needed. As I was blessed with the chance to both watch and be with Diva up on stage, I definitely felt the wairua of her gifts speak to me, not through words but through performance and action. I'm super proud of Diva-Ataahua and the blessings she shared with all that attended last night. The role model she is for her other Urutapu sisters, her grace as a mokopuna of many Nanny and Koro, an inspiring sister, daughter, cousin, niece and friend. He māreikura motuhake kua tongia e ngā hīhiri ā Hine-Tiitama, ā Hine Rehia, a Hineahuone.

Mad Ave Community Trust

RECAP: An ATAAHUA Evening with Diva and Friends

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