Paengawhawha-April 2012
So much since I was last blogging about the hangi.    For the remainder of 2011 I went to the Whitianga Scallop Festival and bombed out.  And I had one of the best spots too.  This year the site price has beaten me.  Then I went to the Atamira and the organisers placed me beside a traditional hangi fundraiser for a marae at Pirongia way.  Another bomb out for sales.  I resorted to selling Eternal water bottles for souvenirs.  It just so happened that there was water in them.  I must say that my hangi song was well received. They allowed me to do some advertising on air so I did a demo.  I also met Meng Foon of Gisborne city.  He is an investor in the bottled Kawakawa product.  What a model of how New Zealanders can be- of Chinese descent and a fluent speaker of Maori.    Incidentally there is a final version of the hangi song so the words witll be changed to day.  Back to some up to date news.  I have started a retail shop in the middle of Te Aroha township on the southern side of the town clock.  It is not signposted yet but the name of it will be THE AUNTY UMU PATAKA Kai Maori Kai Hangi Kai Tapoi Kai Turuhi.  A Detour For Sure.  Last weekend was the first real time for selling and while not that mANy sales, in my opinion it boded well for the future.  One exciting part was learning how to use the Mobile Eftpos machine.  Sales direct to my Bank Account.  I love it.  Part of the plan is to have a Hangi & Show at the end of each month.  Eat and be entertained by locals- polynesian style. It will be a while before I hit the road again.  I have to spend the remaining time he has left with my darling partner Darky.  Also, I am about to take the Hangi Oil from the Whare to the Factory - as soon as I can get some investors that is. Contact me if you want to be one- like do you have a spare five to ten  grand anywhere?? Text 0211050553. Until next month.