Was notified on Saturday 3 December that the Chairman of Rakautaua No 9 Trust Waru Allen passed away.

I only got to know Uncle Waru in recent years and knew of him more by reputation.

One story I do have, is me asking him at the last Trust meeting he attended, to enlighten us "younger ones" about what he remembers of the beach. He smiled and giggled to himself as he reminisced about the beach and funnily, Whangaehu pub patrons. It took me a while to realise that some of his conversation was about my koros brothers. Gems I never knew about. I thought I was making it up in my head. That changed when my brother came over to me excitedly after coming to the same conclusion. It was priceless.

A knowledgeable well-respected kaumatua who seemed to be involved in all things that helped Maori progress forward. I even remember watching the news one time on TV with cameras focussed on the regal gentleman speaking on the marae...Uncle Waru.

A person I know we will fondly remember and miss deeply.