Maori Women's Welfare League

Waharoa Branch A branch of the Maori Women's Welfare League was formed at Te Raungaiti Pa, Waharoa, on 3 March 1966. Mrs S. Rawiri presided at the first meeting of the newly formed branch, held at 8 p.m. on 8 March 1966. Twenty-six local residents attended. Mrs Rumatiki Wright, Senior Lady Welfare Officer and Miss S. Williams, Welfare Officer, both of the Department of Maori Affairs, Miss M. Grant, Public Health Nurse of the Department of Health and members of the Ngati-teoro Tribal Committee were present. Officers elected were:— President: Mrs Sally Rawiri. Vice-President: Mrs Alice Wilson. Secretary: Mrs Mana Wilson. Treasurer: Mrs Polly Tuhakaraina. The programme for the year was planned with one particular topic of interest to be studied each month, as follows:— January: The home. February: Maori Culture and Craft. March: Education. April: Health. May: Housing. June: Sick, Aged and Distressed. July: Conference, School Procedure. August: Agricultural and Horticultural interests. September: School leavers. October: Husbands and families. November: Friendship. December: Christianity. Offers for the position of responsibility for the topic of the month were made and accepted, thus 12 committees were established, each with its own sub-committee within the League branch.

South Island Branches The Annual Meeting was held in Moran Buildings Lounge, Dunedin on 12 March. Delegates from Rapaki, Christchurch, Picton, Hakatere, Arowhenua, Otakou and Dunedin were welcomed by Mrs E. Grooby who presided. Branch reports were encouraging, with the recently re-established Arowhenua branch the result of Mrs Sage's visit, showing a membership of 17. They have a 1966 project to make education grants to local children, and aim to raise £50. Already they have donated to the Maori Council a medical kit for Vietnam. Hakatere, a vital and happy group of 21 members, formed a Maori Youth Club in 1965 which is well supported. Rapaki continues its hospital and prison visiting. Christchurch is experiencing a period of mixed fortunes at the present time but has persisted with its prison visiting. Discussion groups with the boys at Paparua have been successful. Dunedin is riding on a crest with a membership of 40 and a 1965 programme which was stimulating and enjoyable. The health and education sections of the Hunn Report were discussed by competent panels, and Otago from the Moa-hunter period was discussed. Cook Islanders and Samoans have been encouraged to join the branch. The guest speaker at the Annual Meeting was Mrs J. K. Baxter of the Poneke Branch. Sprays were presented to Mrs Baxter, Mrs Grooby, Miss M. Wallscott, the area representative on the executive, and Mrs E. Murchie. Secretary-Treasurer of the South Island branches. Are YOU on the Parliamentary Electoral Roll? CHECK NOW, and if not, enrol on the Supplementary Roll. Enrolment Cards are available at all Post Offices.