aroha mutunga kore ki tō mātou pāpā xox

As one of many mokopuna of Hori Whakataka I respect and acknowledge his contribution and personal sacrifice in his endeavours in the First World War in France. The fact that he returned to New Zealand and he and Kathleen Denton forged a life together raising their family of which my Mother, Ruby Kathleen Julia Whakataka was their second child.

My mind goes back to when a young wounded soldier was nursed by an English nurse, they fell in love and married. Hori Whakataka was not accepted by her family and when our dad was born they had probably already planned the journey to NZ, which to Kathleen was on the other side of the world. How brave of her to leave her family and country and bring her son (my father, Ruben Lesley George Whakataka) who was only six weeks old to New Zealand - to Tokomaru Bay. That would've been some culture shock for her, bless her! Her sister came to NZ with them, her name was Charlotte Denton and she married a Chalcraft and settled further up the East Coast. One of our sisters is named for Charlotte. We are descendants of intrepid travellers, adventurous, and looking to start their future together. Ka mau te wehi.

Our dearest great grand father. My daughter and I have gone through your files and have learnt a lot from what we have seen. I have only ever heard minimal stories and being able to read your files has made me feel a bit closer to you. From the place you lost your leg to the church you were wedded at. The family that you and our great grandmother Kathleen started many decades ago are living strong and we are HUGE. We honour your memory forever great grand daddy. Arohanui from your whanau in Windy Wellington.

E te koro kei te heke tonu ngaa roimata, kei te heke tonu ngaa hupe, kei te heke tonu te kupu aroha, te kupu poroporaki. Kare kau ana he whakamaumaharatanga. Moe mai i roto i te aroha o te ariki. To my grandfather as I remember you I have tears in my eyes and they fall, I have mucus in my nose and it falls, I have words of love for you and they fall. I will never forget you though I have never met you. The Lord look after you.