A Tātau Kōrero is a collection of stories of people in our community that highlight a rich tapestry of history, connections and values. From Te Kaha in the north, to Te Wairoa in the south, Te Tairāwhiti is full of people doing interesting and exceptional things in their respective areas. Whether it is in the arts, visual story telling, sports or farming, everyone has a story and these stories only enrich an understanding of who our community is and the uniqueness of what makes Te Tairāwhiti great. We wanted to find out who are our people in Te Tairāwhiti 250 years after the arrival of Cook and his crew on the Endeavour, and what are the things that make up our community including insights, reflections, views and opinions.
Ying Foon.
Born and bred in Tūranganui-a- Kiwa, Ying Foon has come from a background of hard work an resilience. Her parents were migrants to Aotearoa and were market gardeners. Known as the retiring mayor Meng Foon’s wife, Ying is the silent support to her husband and is an accomplished businesswoman herself. After selling the Makaraka Vege Shop, she and her sister continues the adage of hard work running their own business, The Dollar Dream Shop.