Leadership Academy of A Company

‘Kua hinga te tōtara i Te Waonui-a-Tāne.’ (The tōtara tree has fallen in Tāne’s great forest.) Papa Sol Te Whata a man of great mana and importance to our whanau at the Leadership Academy of 'A' Company, has passed away. All our aroha to his whanau at this time. He was one of our 28th Maori Battalion from 'A' company (The Gum diggers) who supported the leadership academy. My son, Mana was one of the cadets for the inaugural "James Henare" intake at the Academy. Papa Sol generously gave his time and energy to supported these young men as a role model and as frail as he was in his later years, he always made time for them - inspiring the next generation!! E tangi tonu ana, te ngakau, nga roimata mau! Kore rawa matou e warewaretia ou mahi rangatira Papa Sol xxxx