Fri: 16^th July 2010 - This year has been extremely busy with Lorraine and I working hard to set up an Auckland regional sub committee of NZSG MIG. There is interest, however with our own respective workloads that keep us gainfully employed it is not easy trying to maintain the status quo when it comes to raising the awareness of whakapapa and genealogy.

A key strength to our united cause is the number of people seeking their genealogy and whakapapa and the requests that are now coming through from other branches including head office in Panmure to present and to have sessions on accessing Maori whakapapa.

Lorraine Rice and my self will be presenting a workshop on behalf of the Maori Interest group in August to members at the Panmure Head office of NZSG. The Hamilton Branch of NZSG has also asked for us to present to them and the list goes on with Christine busy with her PacificIsland genealogy Interest group and the support that we have with both groups.

Brenda will be actively engaged at the AGM and with our booth in Hamilton this weekend, Lorraine and I are presenting at two seminars on accessing Maori whakapapa and European genealogy on Saturday and Sunday and where we can we will be assisting Brenda.

I’m on the committee representing Maori interests and will be busy in that arena as well and more so for the Friday night with the Tainui powhiri and mihi whakatau at both the AGM and at the official opening by the Governor General.

Writing up the powerpoint for presentation at the two seminars was challenging and stimulating at the same time for as one wrote more information developed relevant to the kaupapa of Maori whakapapa and the interaction with pakeha marriages etc.

Our respective biographies were another story especially when we had to supply photographs (not a pleasant task at any time especially when the first flush of youth has disappeared) one should be known for ones skills and not photographs. Based on that I sent in my baby photograph of when I was one year old, humour raises itself again!!!!!!  The sad part was that I could not find any rusks to go with it!!!!!!!

Today we also acknowledge Peter Allen and all of his hard work and too Bruce who stands behind us in Brisbane.

In closing this has been a good and productive period of time and I am happy to report that we are on the move and being recognised for the quality of standards as an Interest Group with Maori at the heart of our enterprise.

We certainly welcome new members and look forward to a productive weekend on all counts.

Naaku noa

na,

Owen Ormsby

Convenor