Frank and Tipene

Tipene tries out a Samoan cricket bat while Frank holds a taiaha.

For 72-year-old Frank Wells, mentoring a 12-year old boy is like having another grandson around.
He and Tipene make things like the sparrow-sized bird box attached to the side of Frank’s garage or the planter box by the steps to the house. They go out and play sport; “anything with a ball,” says Frank and Tipene grins in agreement. They might wander by the river to pick up stones and have a swim in the warmer weather. But the best thing of all, says Tipene, is the carving. He has helped Frank make pendants from pounamu and pakohe (jade and argillite) and is currently carving a taiaha from recycled rimu.

Together Tipene and Frank attended classes at the marae on the use of the taiaha and Tipene is learning marae protocol at the same time.

Frank’s garage is his workshop and here are several projects that are finished or under way. A row of Samoan cricket bats lie along one wall and Tipene was happy to show how they are used. “No matter where we have been,” says Frank, “we always come back here for a feed.” Tipene is even learning to cook – he can do eggs and noodles and is learning more. Frank and Tipene have been matched for three years and obviously enjoy each other’s company.

Tipene is Frank’s second “little brother” since he joined Big Brothers Big Sisters.