Saluting Kaumatua Bill Thomas

This morning I went to the Saturday Market. It is going to be a treasure trove for blipping in the future. There I met up with an old friend, Bill Thomas taking shelter under an umbrella from the hot sunshine. Bill is a Kaumatua (Elder) for his Iwi (Tribe), Te Atiawa. He is also of Ngai Tahu descent. Bill is a teacher and had the doubtful pleasure of teaching our three sons at Marlborough Boys College years ago. Bill now teaches at the New Zealand Correspondence School and is based in Wellington. There he teaches in matters Maori, transition to work and life skills. Bill is highly regarded in our community. He is involved with promoting Maori art and crafts and is the New Zealand President of the "Conseil International des Organisations de Festivals de Folklore et d'Arts Traditionnels". Today Bill was manning a stall selling beautiful Pounamu (Greenstone) pendants and bone carvings. Kaumatua Bill Thomas is a very special person. It is a privilege to know him.