Te Hono O Ngā Waka: End-of-Year Celebrations, Reflection, and Aroha for Our Hayley

To wrap up 2025, our Te Hono crew decided to do what any sensible bunch of exhausted-but-determined community warriors would do… go paintballing. It was chaotic, hilarious, and absolutely brutal. The bruises will be with us well into 2026, but so will the memories.

After surviving that mission, we refilled our wairua with the most delicious kai from our favourite local talent, Trish Barlow. As always, perfection.

And then came the part none of us were ready for: saying goodbye to our beloved kaimahi, our sister, our pou Hayley.

What. A. Year.

2025… holly molly. Usually, I write these blogs and talk about the highlights, the wins, the moments that made us proud. But if I’m honest, this year has felt like one giant, messy rollercoaster. Twists we didn’t see coming, drops that took our breath away, and somehow, we still found ourselves holding on tight, together.

I am unbelievably proud of us. Every single one of you at Te Hono gives your whole heart to our people. You show up, even when the world feels heavy, even when the system feels stacked against us. Normally I’d write little blurbs about each kaimahi, but this year I just want to say this:

Thank you. Truly. Deeply. Thank you.

The political climate is unsettling. The direction of the current government is concerning. But through all of that uncertainty, you have each continued to do the mahi with courage, compassion, and absolute determination. So again, thank you.

Let’s strap in and see where the 2026 ride takes us. We will face it the way we always do, together.

A Big Change Ahead: Farewelling Our Hayley

But the real reason for this blog is to acknowledge a significant transition in our team, one that comes with both deep sadness and even deeper gratitude. In 2026, we will be losing one of our most influential pou… our Hayley.

It has been an absolute privilege to walk alongside her through so many seasons of life. Hayley is one of those rare people whose aroha radiates in everything she does. She is kind, caring, grounded, and generous beyond words, the kind of person who truly would give you the shirt off her back.

Her contribution to our people, to our rangatahi, and to Te Tai o Poutini has been immense. She has poured so much of herself into others, shaping a stronger, safer, more connected community. Her journey has not always been easy, but her growth has been beautiful: learning, healing, transforming, and lifting others as she climbs.

We are going to miss her and her whānau dearly. As friends, as colleagues, and as a community. Hokitika has truly lost one of its great pou a pillar of mana wāhine, strength, and compassion.

Hayley, thank you for choosing this place. Thank you for raising your whānau here and for giving so much of yourself to this community. Thank you for walking alongside us from the beginning, for your fierce loyalty, for your healing journey that you have shared so openly to light the path for others.

Thank you for the aroha, the laughter, the sweat, the mahi, the tears, and all those quiet moments of kindness that most people will never see but which have stitched this community closer together.

As you cross the moana into your next adventure, know this:

Your roots will always remain here. Deep. Strong. Loved.
You have left a legacy that will continue long after you’ve gone.