Whanau

Parents: Walter Tainui Forrester
& Mahora Rikiriki Tamepo

Dad is the eldest child and born at Waipiro Hospital, named after his father Papa Sharkey.

Dad attended Tokomaru Bay District School until he was 16 years old.

Siblings: Rawiri Rongomau (Amos) Hūtita (Susie)
Te Ataakura (Kura) & James

Loving Partner: Makita Puke

Mum and dad met at Linton Army Camp. Things blossomed 1972.

Dad left the army and got employed at a Certified Concrete Truck Company in Palmerston North. Dad stayed in Palmy until the birth of his daughter Hoana in 1977.

Dad worked for Direct Trucking Company, Phil King, Beau Maru and many other companies that requires driving trucks, bulldozer and grader work.

Father of:
Tainui Walter Forrester
(born 1974 in Palmerston North)
Hoana Amber Forrester
(born 1977 in Palmerston North)

Papa of: Mikaira, Nakoia, Mawhai, Mahora Ana, Hinemoana
Nanny Pop of:
Lunar-Jade and Ahurei Ngapunarua

A poem for reflection...

You can shed tears because they are gone

Or you can smile because they lived

You can close your eyes and pray they come back

Or you can open your eyes and see all that they left for you

Your heart can be empty because you can’t see them

Or you can be full of the love you shared

You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday

Or you can be happy tomorrow because of yesterday

You can remember only that they are gone

Or you can cherish their memory and let it live on

You can cry and close your mind and feel empty

Or you can do what they would want...

Smile, open your heart, love and go on!

Ref: Wedan Photography

I BELIEVE

Song by The Hi-Marks


I believe for every drop of rain thats falls,

A flower grows,

I believe that somewhere in the darkest night,

A candle glows,

I believe for everyone who goes astray, someone will come to show the way

I believe, I believe

I believe above the storm, the smallest prayer will still be heard,

I believe that someone in the great somewhere hears every word,

Everytime I hear a new born baby cry

Or touch a leaf or see the sky,

Then I know why I believe

Everytime I hear a new born baby cry

Or touch a leaf or see the sky,

Then I know why I believe

He was the coolest papa who was totally dedicated to them. Often he would ring to tell me to drop off Mikaira at the roundabout in Gisborne because he was on his way home on the logging truck.

Mikaira was the apple of his eye. However Mawhai is so much like his papa. It's a cool reminder.

Papa loved his moko girls in a way that worked for both parties. Im sure he probably didnt really know how to growl them, so he just kept quiet.

Dad and uncle Bruce.

Dad loved all of his cousins. And to this day the strong bond with our Tamepo whanau is because of the vision dad and his siblings and cousins had.
Uncle Bruce misses dad dearly and Im sure that so do the rest. But our generation are greatful for the guidance and support to stay in touch. It is honestly priceless.

Dad and his dear aunty Peep. This photo shows so much love and from what Annie said, aunty Peep had just told him a beautiful comment that made him blush. I absolutely love this photo.

Our Tuhoe whanau adored our dad. Whenever we travelled there we would take seafood for our whanau. Dad loved them dearly with the utmost respect and admiration.

Our dear uncle Api.

May they both keep eachother company. We miss you both so much.

__________

Dad and Uncle James

Dad was looked up to as the big brother he was. I love hearing stories from the uncles of some of dads shenanagans!

Dad loved his club 'Te Puia Springs Golf'. Lifelong friends, good buggers and money lost from haggles because of his terrible golfing... or maybe from the gins!

Meads Cup with whanau

The Meads Cup win. East Coast vs Whanganui.