Molly Para
by Molly Para
I write this with fond and loving memories of Frazer Joseph Makoha Te Haara, a highly respected and much-loved friend to many at Matapuna Training Centre, who passed on May 26.
I also offer an accolade and praise to Matapuna chief executive Jodie Cook and her wonderful, dedicated staff and students who all came together as a whānau in their display of the values of “aroha ki te tangata”.
Frazer was a very talented and popular chef, like many Matapuna chefs before him. His culinary expertise wove magic into his cuisine, firing all the senses of gratification.
He was also an exceptional role model for the Matapuna students — a gentle giant who modelled an abundance of aroha, empathy and commitment in his work.
Frazer was always there for the students, staff and teachers, and that showed when they all rallied together as a whānau for five days during his passing — which involved constant cooking, cleaning, preparation of meals and looking after manuhiri.
Jodie is brilliant, amazing and the most caring lady. She knows how to “aroha ki te tangata” in real Māori fashion, in the support she gave to Frazer’s bereft whānau who were in the early stages of trying to cope with their sudden loss.
Matapuna were right beside them, supporting the whānau at the hospital and at the home later. Frazer’s wide whānau connections meant there was a vast number of manuhiri from far and wide — from Ngā Puhi, Auckland, Pōneke, Tauranga Moana and Tairāwhiti.
It was noted in the whaikōrero/speeches at the house that Frazer was a very popular man who gave so much to people, youth and to Matapuna.
Jodie didn’t hesitate. She let the Matapuna board and the Ministry of Education know what she needed to do, asking for their support at a very stressful time. She contacted her kaumātua and friends of Matapuna for their help also.
In short order, “Matapuna” was performing a multitude of roles. For a time it would be a marae, to welcome manuhiri, and the main hall was partitioned off — one side was a whare kai/dining room, and the other side was a whare moe/sleeping area.
What Matapuna did showcase was their leadership — how to lead and serve, to love and look after people. Their manaakitanga was exemplary and needs to be acknowledged, especially for these amazing young people, some of whom could not cope in a normal, disciplined educational system geared for growing academic learners.
I love how Jodie has worked inclusively with all her staff to embed Māori culture – kaupapa and kawa — into the Matapuna curriculum, raising the consciousness and connectivity with people into their space. This permeates the aroha throughout Matapuna and personifies the wairua of the human spirit and characteristics at a loving and shared level which we all strive for, but often find difficult to achieve.
Matapuna manifests in terms of its own educational learning and aspirations for young people; it is different from any other technical institute.
This was highlighted in the whaikōrero by the kaumātua, who also made references to the outstanding leadership and the whakawhanaungatanga between staff, teachers and students, and to the way Matapuna responded to a crisis situation. That consensus was magnified in the close connection between staff and students, demonstrating another way of working together in harmony through trust, aroha and whakamana ki te tangata.
The formal welcome to the whānau pani by students back at Matapuna after Frazer’s burial was mind-blowing. The return karanga to 300 whānau, manuhiri and friends, with two haka and complementary waiata, welcomed them back from their sojourn in the dark, into the light of the living.
This was a riveting performance high in energy and mauri. I know Frazer would have been absolutely proud of these young people; his wairua was there.
Frazer gave so much of his culinary expertise to them, which showed in the exceptional food presentation to their manuhiri. The amazing hākari put together by Frazer’s workmates, friends and students was his departing feast for all his whānau, friends and loved ones.
A big aroha to Matapuna — you all captivated a lot of people’s hearts in your excellent delivery of manaakitanga. Kia Kaha Matapuna.