Papa Mike Tavioni takes Rakei Toa boys under his wing

Papa Mike Tavioni is a vastly talented individual renowned as a master carver, artist, poet, sculptor, composer, musician, author, agriculturist and orator. He has now become an ‘honorary uncle’ to eleven boys (enough to have a cricket team) who are taking part in the Rakei Toa scheme. Tavioni had arranged for the Rakei Toa boys and their chaperone, Turori Matutu to take part in a television shoot recorded by CITV cameraman, Mack Marona as they went through their paces reciting poetry written by Papa Mike. When the Herald caught up Tavioni and his pupu tamariki on Tuesday morning, there was not a trace of poetry but he had the boys working in the garden tending to his thriving taro patch and newly planted kumara patch. By the looks of things, the Rakei Toa boys will not only learn the art of poetry and oratory but also learn the art of horticulture and growing their own food. The Rakei Toa scheme is all about raising the self esteem of the youngsters.

Herald Issue 463 10 June
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- Budget will decide if residents prosecute Government over landfill
- Forestry project sucking Mangaia dry
- Budget 2010 – fiasco or disaster?