Into February already

Hard to believe that the first month of the year has flown by already.  Now it is time for getting kids back to school and getting back to work.  We will be starting back at the Women's Centre next week too, as they are only open during term time, and I am still working on getting a guest speaker in to talk about employment issues.

Would it suit to have the guest speakers on Wednesday afternoon or Thursday morning?  The Women's Centre is such a great venue (hot drinks, kid's toys, outside garden and large room) however not many of us are making it to the shared lunch on a regular basis.  They are unable to offer us a morning slot and so I am wondering if it is better to just meet for morning tea each week or do people think they will come to a shared lunch (probably suit those without napping kids) one week and morning tea the next.  Can you let me know as I will have to make a decision this term.

This week we have two events to join in with; the Sport Wellington Buggy walk (Thursday 3rd) and Waitangi Day celebrations at Tainui Marae (Sunday 6th).  Hopefully the Summer behaves itself and we can enjoy good weather for both days! The walk this Thursday is approximately 1 hr long beginning at 10.30am, meeting at 10.15 at the picnic area by Whareroa Beach. If you click on the word 'Upcoming Events' on the right hand side there is a link for the Sport Wellington website which will give the full details.

Waitangi Day is a very special event in New Zealand and one that has also been surrounded with controversy.  Maori were the only indigenous people of the time to form any kind of agreement or treaty with the English however the wording of the treaty and interpretation have been hotly debated ever since.  See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waitangi_Day more information.  We have been invited to the celebrations at Tainui Marae in Otaki which start at 10am, this is on Convent Road (half way between the State Highway and Otaki Beach).  See Google maps for the best directions from you.

Look forward to seeing you all soon.