Tihei Mauriora - Monday Motivator
MANU AO sends motivational emails that are inspired by some of our modern day Māori Leaders reflecting on past teachings from our tupuna.If you would like to receive Tihei Mauriora! (the weekly Monday motivational emails), you can contact Taniya Ward by email at T.M.Ward@massey.ac.nz.
See example of previous motivational emails below.
9 August 2010 - The human element
He aha te mea nui o te ao?He tangata, he tangata, he tangata
What is the most important thing in the world?
It is people, it is people, it is people
Reflecting back on her childhood in Ruatahuna, international educationalist, Dr Rangimarie Turuki Rose Pere says, "many of our families had very few material possessions, and were denied so many of the luxuries we enjoy today, and yet what I remember most vividly was the ring of laughter, song and music, the obvious happiness we shared as a people, because of the abundance of aroha – goodwill". Holder of the NZCM in 1990 and honoured with an OBE in 1996, the same year she attained a Doctorate of Literature at Victoria University Wellington, Dr Pere, further stated that "there was a deep appreciation and respect for the human element, above all things".
Rose Pere's thoughts remind us of how important and valuable we all are. We have to learn and train ourselves to carefully avoid those who hinder our progress and instead link up with helpful people with good attitudes and behaviours. We should learn from everyone we come in contact with. Our outlook towards others should be positive and encouraging. First, look for the best in yourself - and keep doing it. Kia pai tō wiki!
2 August 2010 - Complacency
Mauri mahi, mauri ora; mauri noho, mauri mateHard work begets prosperity (security); idleness begets poverty (insecurity)
In the aftermath of last week's Māori Language Week, Māori Language Commission Chairman, Erima Henare, stated categorically that the language is still in a perilous state. Out of a population of 565,000 Māori, there are only 18,000 fluent speakers. It's a very sobering statistic indeed. He says, "complacency is our biggest enemy in language revitalization". It is also the greatest obstacle to those promoting Māori development in other areas. Far too many times we become smug, and satisfied with our situation and in so doing, become complacent and settle for the mediocre. Our lives remain unexamined, unchallenged, and unfulfilled. We choose the easy way. Our limits remain un-stretched. We choose to be less than we are capable of, only because we never try to become better. We choose a lesser life, because either we never want to better our best, or we are afraid we cannot achieve great results. It's easy to be complacent - to choose the lesser life, to settle for mediocre results, to never push ourselves, and to never challenge our beliefs and thinking. You can do better. Of course you will, if you choose to work hard at it. Kia pai tō wiki!
Click here to download this message in PDF!
26 July 2010 - The welfare of his people
Ko te amorangi ki mua, ko te hāpai ō ki muriThe priest in front, the carriers behind
(One who leads the way will be supported by his followers)
Dr Maharaia Winiata studied at Edinburgh University, where he was the first Māori to gain the Doctor of Philosophy degree, and went on to become a great advocate for Māori education devoting most of his short life of 48 years to that end. At the unveiling of a memorial to this eminent leader, teacher and scholar, at Judea marae, Tauranga nearly fifty years ago, one of the speakers paid Dr Winiata the following tribute."He put the welfare of his people in the forefront of his life. He strove for equality between Māori and European in the best things of life, and worked to reduce evils among his own and the Pākehā people".Formerly a Methodist Minister, one of Maharaia's great qualities and lasting achievements was his love for, and faith in, "his Māori people". Having faith in other people, specifically the people you lead and work with, is vitally important for any effective leader. When it comes down to it, it all comes down to faith - faith in others, their abilities, and of course, faith in yourself. You have to believe you can succeed, or you never will. So risk a little, try a little, and have a little bit of faith. Kia pai tō wiki!
Click here to download this message in PDF!
19 July 2010 - It's a tall order
Kei a tātau tēnei ao; kei a tātau hoki ēnei iti kahurangiThis is our world; these are the challenges we must strive to overcome
New Zealand's former High Commissioner in the Solomon Islands, Fiji, and the Cook Islands, Tia Barrett, of Ngāti Maniapoto, considered that being indigenous demands of us high levels of achievement, competency in traditional cultural values, and being equipped to meet the needs of a highly competitive world. "That is a tall order, and requires more of us than of the non-indigenous. But, in fact, I think the well-educated, well-rounded, successful indigenous person stands tall as an outstanding achiever".Are you ready to demand the very best from yourself? Some people simply say that they're the best they can be. They preach quality, but give mediocrity. They speak loudly, but don't back it up. We owe it to ourselves to take challenging roads, choose great dreams, make lofty goals, and demand the best of ourselves. Only by demanding the best will we ever really become so. Of course it's a tall order, but even the ordinary are capable of extraordinary feats – when they put their mind to it. Kia pai tō wiki!
Click here to download this message in PDF!
12 July 2010 - To adapt and innovate
Mō tātou, ā, mō ngā uri ā muri ake neiFor us and our children after us
At last month's Ngā Pae o te Maramatanga indigenous conference on traditional knowledge, Tā Tipene O'Regan of Ngāi Tahu reminded us that our capacity for adaptation is self-determined and limited only by our ability to comprehend. He identified the essential attributes of leadership that Māori have - the ability to adapt and innovate. It's a clear point of differentiation and is the reason why the Māori leadership 'brand' is increasingly being recognized for its distinctiveness.Leaders with the capacity for change and advancement are wise and visionary men and women. Attaining a vision of our life's work, communicating that vision to others, winning them over to our view, widening that vision, and following through. All these steps are integral to making our contributions as good leaders, something that will endure beyond our own lives. These great traits of adaptation and innovation are amply illustrated in Tā Tipene's life's work and internalizing them helps us to redefine our lives, and be more effective leaders of people. Kia pai tō wiki!
Click here to download this message in PDF!
5 July 2010 - Take care of each other
Te tohu o te Rangatira, he manaakiThe sign of a Rangatira is generosity
A science graduate of Victoria University and first president of the Association of Māori University graduates, Māori leader and Anglican Bishop Manuhuia Bennett considered it important that all human rights be honoured. Further, and going beyond that, is his point that the Treaty, in and of itself, is a sacred covenant "based on the promises of two peoples to take the best possible care of each other".The power of people helping to take care of each other is a fundamental part of any formula for self-improvement, and the bedrock of our society. It is the most substantial thing that you can do that shows solidarity with those in need of your attention and affection. It involves providing emotional support and encouragement, including pastoral care. Is it no small wonder that the characteristics of 'Rangatira' attributed to Bishop Bennett include manaakitanga?
Te kai a te Rangatira, he kórero - The food of a Rangatira is talk
Te tohu o te Rangatira, he manaaki - The sign of a Rangatira is generosity
Te mahi a te Rangatira, he whakatira i te iwi - The work of a Rangatira is to unite people
Taking care of each other is a key principle of what makes for a good leader – whether at home, at work, or at play. Kia pai tó wiki!
Click here to download this message in PDF!
28 June 2010 - Just do it
Moemoeātia te moemoeā, engari whakatinanahiaDream the dream, but achieve it also
Amongst the many tributes made to renowned Māori pioneer filmmaker, Merata Mita, who passed away recently; playwright Briar Grace Smith said "Merata was of the just do it brigade". Whether as a film director, writer, or producer, Merata of Ngāti Pikiao and Ngāi Te Rangi descent was a passionate voice for Māori and a brave advocate for social change with groundbreaking films such as Bastion Point: Day 507, Patu and Mauri.Merata was a fearless and defiant leader in her chosen profession. One who believed in making things happen. The lesson is this - if there is ever one phrase that can make the difference in an otherwise ordinary life, it would be to "just do it". The very act of taking the initiative, setting a plan and taking action, can overcome any misgivings. The most brilliant plan, never acted on, is worse than a mediocre plan, immediately and passionately put into play. Some delay for fear they might do the wrong thing, or do the right thing at the wrong time. Either is preferable to knowing the right thing to do, but never doing it. Kia pai tō wiki!
Click here to download this message in PDF!
21 June 2010 - Plenty of fire and courage
He wahine, he whenua, e ngaro ai te tangataBy women and land, men are lost - also refers to the essential nourishing roles that women and land fulfill, without which humanity would be lost
Once a humble cleaning lady, Dame Temuranga Batley-Jackson - the country's newest Dame, has been honoured for her work with prisoners, urban Māori and the Waitangi Fisheries Commission. According to broadcaster son Willie Jackson, Dame Temuranga, "is a woman with plenty of fire and courage, and she needed all of it when she challenged tribal leaders over rights for Māori living in the city and in her work with hardened criminals". "She wants her award to be an inspiration, particularly for Māori women".A woman of courage indeed! Dame Temuranga's life gives new meaning to the word and how it is expressed in our everyday lives. Some people's lives focus on heroic acts of courage in exceptional circumstances; however, the focus here is on that inner fire and determination that enables one to lead an authentic and fulfilling life day in, and day out. This is the courage to change when change is needed, and to stand up for what is right, even against much opposition, and the strident opinions of others. The courage to embrace the unknown in spite of our fears - in our careers, in our relationships, or in the ongoing journey of understanding who we are, why we are here, and the direction we're headed. Kia pai tō wiki!
Click here to download this message in PDF!
14 June 2010 - Reaching those great heights
Iti rearea teitei kahikatea ka taeaThe rearea (bellbird) is one of the smallest birds in the forest, yet it is capable of reaching the top of the kahikatea, the tallest tree in the forests of Tuhoe
Māori language revivalist, and Te Wananga o Aotearoa Professor, Tīmoti Karetu, asserts that all our efforts, no matter how small or minimal, are better than no effort at all, and, if that effort is sustained, we should reach those great heights - the survival of our language. Our tupuna did not brave the hardships of ocean voyages, the perils of cultivating new land in Aotearoa, colonial warfare, and all the other hardships and trials of life to prepare the way for the extinction of their language, the whittling away of their inheritances, and their assimilation with the dominant culture.So here we stand, still on the threshold of the 21st century, facing a future that holds promise and challenges. Would we have the courage to accept the offer of a glimpse of the Māori language 100 years from now? Would such a glimpse show us homes where te reo continues to be spoken, offices where it is in common use, a lively cultural scene with literature and music expressing our way of life? In our present situation there is indeed the promise of such a future. Let us hope and work for the strength and commitment to attain it. Kia pai tō wiki!
Click here to download this message in PDF!
7 June 2010 - Your road will be hard
Ahakoa ngā ueueKia kaha, kia toa, kia manawanui
When you find things that are difficult in life,
Stand strong, stand tall and be of great heart
Māori leader and politician Matiu Rata, who earned a lasting place in our history as the catalyst behind the modern Māori renaissance as Minister of Māori Affairs in the third Labour Government once said, "If you think on your journey through leadership that your road will be hard, you can rest assured that it is ten times harder for the rest of our people out there". Under Rata's inspired leadership "Māori affairs no longer remain in the quiet backwater, but have become part of the main agenda".Far too many times, we fear making the hard decisions and instead settle for the mediocre. As a consequence, our lives remain unchallenged and unfulfilled. We consciously select easy options. We choose to be less than we can become only because we never try to become better. But we know the easy path is rarely the correct way, and that we were made for something better. We were made capable of performing great feats and to become like Matiu Rata, and others, if we put our minds to it. It doesn't really matter where you are now, or where you come from. What matters is where you're going, and how to get there. Destiny calls – and your future awaits. Kia pai tō wiki!
Click here to download this message in PDF!
31 May 2010 - Commit yourself to do well
Tau mahi e te ringa wheroFit work for the hand of a chief
Sir Wira Gardiner considers his personal journey from high school failure to success as a public servant and businessman was underpinned by the skills he gained from 20 years in the Army; and that where one door closes, another opens. The former Army lieutenant colonel, and founding director of the Waitangi Tribunal says, "it happened that every door that has opened has presented a challenge that's been exciting, stimulating and worthwhile". But, he says, there is no reason other Māori young men who are struggling at school can't do the same. "I think the simple message is to have some determination, and set some objectives. They don't have to be 10-year visions, just get up in the morning and commit yourself to do well. It's surprising what will happen".It's never too late to become a leader and be recognised by your peers and others as such. For Sir Wira, the new Chair of the Tertiary Education Commission, the old adage is true - life is what you make of it. It's also true that each of us have our own strengths and weaknesses, habits and understandings. Used wisely, they help us work through life's many challenges that may befall us. Regrettably, many of our individual traits are often kept hidden under the proverbial "bushel", kept from the sight of people and the world that surrounds us. Exercise within yourself the ability to lead in whatever your sphere of influence might be, and take your organisation, family, even yourself, to new heights and new opportunities. Kia pai tō wiki!
Click here to download this message in PDF!
24 May 2010 - Stand as Māori
Toi te kupu, toi te mana, toi te whenuaThe permanence of the language, prestige, and land
On discharging the Māori Battalion in 1946, Lieutenant-Colonel James Henare told his troops, "Go back to our mountains, go back to our people, go back to our marae. But this is my last command to you - stand as Māori, stand as Māori, stand as Māori". In later years, James Henare became a successful farmer, a dedicated family man, also a statesman, a diplomat, and scholar, having been conferred an Honorary Doctorate of Laws by the University of Auckland in 1986, and a Knight of the British Empire in 1978.It has been over seventy years since the Māori Battalion fought on the battlefields of the Middle East and Europe, displaying legendary bravery and sacrifice in battle. It is a story that epitomises what it means to be outstanding, to have courage and to gain success. The leaders of the Māori Battalion were the high achievers among Māori of that generation. They hoped the deeds of the Battalion would inspire and encourage young Māori to aim high. They knew advancement depended on education. Today we should live in celebration of our Māori identity, language and culture. Live knowing that we as Māori can achieve what we set our hearts on. Kia pai tō wiki!
Click here to download this message in PDF!
17 May 2010 - Doing things differently
He matahiapo te oraIt is about being enraptured with life; knowing that life is precious
In a recent speech at Parliament (6 May) Hon Tariana Turia re-emphasized her faith in whānau development; and for people being prepared to make the seismic shift from defining whānau by the level of risk, to instead being prepared to trust in its potential. It is about thinking and doing things differently. "If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always got". No matter what line of work you may be in you can make a difference that counts.Our world is anchored by the contributions of individuals - people who thought differently, dreamed differently, or acted differently. Most of us wonder sometimes if we have made a difference in anyone's life. The fact is, each of us influences other people's lives in some way, either for good or for bad. The simplest little things that we do – or don't do, can make a major difference in the lives of those we touch. One kind deed, one generous effort, one word of praise, one push in the right direction, and we affect the lives of others and ourselves forever. Kia pai tō wiki!
Click here to download this message in PDF!
10 May 2010 - No intention of slowing down
Me whai anō au ki a Kāwai, ki te ringa tohau nuiI will keep on following Kāwai, who is so industrious
Last week, one of the cornerstones of Kōhanga Reo, Dr Iritana Tawhiwhirangi, of Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Kahungunu, and Ngā Puhi, was invested as a dame for her services to Māori education. Dame Iritana who accepted this honour as a tribute to the families that drove the Kōhanga Reo movement in those early days, made it clear, "I have no intention of slowing down". Taking things easy is not in the vocabulary of this 81 year old stalwart leader who adopted a simple approach to life - stay on track.Sometimes, though, we have to step back, take a deep breath, and accept that we live in a society where life moves at a non-stop, never-ending pace. We constantly have to keep moving, keep changing, keep growing, and keep working. It's like being on a treadmill, if we stop moving, we're likely to get run over. However, life is what you make of it. It's up to us to make it better, and we will rarely do that if we just persist in keeping our nose to the grindstone. Sometimes, we need to pause, reflect, replenish ourselves, change our direction, and prepare for a brighter, challenging future. Kia pai tō wiki!
Click here to download this message in PDF!
3 May 2010 - Defending Values - It takes courage
Ānei ngā mea i whakataukītia ai e ngā tūpuna, ko te kaha, ko te uaua, ko te pakariHere are things valued by the ancestors, it is the strength, the vigour, and the sturdiness
At last week's ANZAC service at Gallipoli, Lieutenant-General Jerry Mateparae, of Ngāti Tūwharetoa and Ngāti Kahungunu, holder of the ONZM, and current Chief of Defence Force (first Māori to hold this office) explained that Gallipoli resonates with us because so many of our young men were defending values which were exceptionally important to them, their people, and their country. These young men were bound together by a common set of values and a culture that reflected their national heritage and character. It takes courage to defend one's values. Courage is the defining element that makes ordinary men and women into extra-ordinary people. We tend to think of courage as the kind of thing that only heroes have e.g., dashing into a house on fire, or a clandestine operation behind enemy lines. That's well and good, but each and every one of us can demonstrate courage in our 'everyday lives'. We all have it innately within us, but it may take a bit of development and shoring up from time to time. Build up your courage by testing it. Look at the courage you have deep down within yourself, grasp a hold of it, and use it to make a change in your life. Kia pai tō wiki!
Click here to download this message in PDF!
26 April 2010 - Caring for the rights of the people
He aroha whakatō, he aroha puta maiIf kindness is sown, then kindness you shall receive
The new deputy chief judge of the Maori Land Court, Caren Fox, of Ngāti Porou, has been hailed for her concern for Māori people. Of her, fellow lawyer, Moana Jackson says, "She genuinely cares for the rights of our people". Our rights are what every human being deserves, no matter who they are or where they live, so that we all can live in a world that is fair and just.Should you care about helping others? Yes. If you don't care about helping others, you aren't making as much a difference in the world as you could do. Helping others is great for you, and great for them. We all know that we should care about loving our whānau, because when you get right down to it, our whānau are what's really important to us. We should also care about our individual futures. We should have hope for the future so that we are able to wisely determine our future path.
It's true, people really don't care about how much you know until they know how much you care. Caring people make a contribution. Caring people make a difference. They give to others and to themselves. They have an impact. They have an effect for good on themselves and the people around them. Show you care. Kia pai tō wiki!
Click here to download this message in PDF!
19 April 2010 - The fire that kindles hearts
Aroha mai, aroha atuLove toward us, love going out from us
Dr Pei Te Hurinui Jones, a Ngāti Maniapoto leader, genealogist, writer and scholar, had spent some time at Wesley College with no further formal education. However, in 1968 he received an honorary doctorate for literature from Waikato University. Ngā moteatea was one of Pei Te Hurinui's most valuable contributions to Māori literature. Tā Apirana Ngata described Jones as a "torch-bearer - a good man, with plenty of vision, a first-rate Māori scholar, steeped in West Coast folk lore, and a very competent master of English... and he has the fire that kindles hearts".Enthusiasm is one of the keys to achieving success – and liking it in the process, because sustained enthusiasm constitutes the chief ingredient to what many call "the spice of life". Lose your enthusiasm for your job, and your job becomes meaningless; lose your enthusiasm for life, and your days become meaningless. The best leaders help their followers to see their vision and they have so much enthusiasm about that vision, they light a fire within their followers who can then 'let their light so shine' for all they are worth, and for all to see. Kia pai tō wiki!
Click here to download this message in PDF!
12 April 2010 - There should be no stopping us
Whaowhia te kete mātaurangaFill the basket of knowledge
Professor Linda Tuhiwai Smith of Waikato University recently said in Te Miro (August 2009), "We must always promote to students that they have primary responsibility for their own learning and success. However, we must also take responsibility for the constant improvement of our own professional practice with a view to enhancing the academic experience and the achievement, completion and retention rates of ourstudents. There should be no stopping us in these endeavours".
The end point makes it all worthwhile for both student and teacher - graduates with some unique qualities, some great memories, life-long friendships and a set of broad based skills that will equip them for careers and for life beyond study. For many of us, we get to that point where we are tempted to sit back, look at where we've come from, examine where we've arrived at, and say to ourselves "Well, that's good enough. I think I'll stop here." Once you reach that destination, set higher, more challenging, more lofty goals, and set off for a new destination. Can you grow to higher levels? Sure you can – and you must. Kia pai tō wiki!
Click here to download this message in PDF!
5 April 2010 - Take the people with you
Ina te mahi, he rangatiraSee how he does – a leader indeed!
In te ao Māori, one way in which a leader is usually identified is by his/her work in improving, and protecting the interests and welfare of their people. Sir Graham Latimer tells the story about when he went to seek counsel from a respected Koroua not long after being made Chairman of the New Zealand Máori Council.This old fella asked me what I was worrying about and I said "well what do I do?" He answered by saying "Well it's like this, if you don't lead you will be led, and now that you have set out to lead the people make sure that when you arrive at your destination you have still got the people with you, otherwise you have wasted their time and you have wasted your own time".
It's not just about getting to where you want to go that counts, but how you do it. Every relationship you have as a leader of people is an important one. People are going to hold you in high regard as a leader if you can manage to work with all sides in any situation and still come out ahead. Believe in yourself and success will surely come your way, not only for you but for those who are loyal and have confidence in you, and willingly follow your lead toward that common goal. Kia pai tō wiki!
Click here to download this message in PDF!
29 March 2010 - Education and Working Hard
Mā te tauihu o tōu waka, e ū te waioraKia mahue atu, ngā mea whakahirahira i roto i te koriparipo
May the prow of your canoe, cleave the waters of life
And leave in its wake, mighty deeds
This year's Te Papa Treaty Debates of 28 January featured Auckland University's former Professor of Māori Studies and recipient of the Distinguished Companion of the NZ Order of Merit in 2009, Dr Ranginui Walker, of Whakatohea. Dr Walker grew up in a traditional whānau, hapū situation. "It was an idyllic existence: no-one hungered, no-one suffered, children were not beaten, and there was love all around me from whānau. But it was an unreal world, because it was unsustainable. The real world was much more competitive. I had to learn that to live in that world, and to survive, the way to get there was through education and working hard".A good schooling and being prepared to put in the hard yards has always been a prerequisite to success. Once Ranginui had obtained his PhD, he was immediately called upon to be an instrument in the hands of his people for good whether it was as an advocate, activist, media commentator, or academic. He certainly made his mark. Can you do likewise? Why not? Catch the vision of higher education, have the determination to get going and the stick-ability to persist until you succeed, and most importantly, to make yourself available to be of service to others. Kia pai tō wiki!
Click here to download this message in PDF!
22 March 2010 - Standing Tall
Ko tā te rino i wawāhi ai, mā te rino anō hei honohono,Ko tā te kakaka i haehae ai, mā te kakaka anō hei tuitui
What the Pākehā sought to disrupt, the Pākehā will seek to restore,
What the Māori has lost, the Māori will strive to regain
Last month's 7th Annual Waitangi Rua Rautau Lecture at Waiwhetu marae, Lower Hutt, featured Te Atiawa leader, Dr Kara Puketapu. An innovative Secretary of Māori Affairs, Kara has been described as "the man within Government who drove the change in policy that lead to the establishment of Kōhanga Reo". He is also credited with the establishment of the highly successful Tū Tangata programme, which was the basis of his lecture entitled 'Standing Tall in 2040'. He said, "Let us be ambitious and work hard". "Whānau New Zealanders, with the blood of many races, they will stand tall and proud knowing their whānau culture provides a contribution to their citizenship responsibilities".Kara's exemplary leadership is all about standing tall, and to be brave and proud of yourself in the knowledge that you have done your best. It's true what the old quote says: "if we don't stand for something, we'll fall for anything". How do we stand tall and generate a positive belief in ourselves? By doing positive things, and thinking positive. It inspires confidence in our abilities. We ban negative thoughts and feelings from our lives. We work hard every hour of every day to build a strong foundation under our beliefs, through training, up-skilling and personal growth. Kia pai tō wiki!
Click here to download this message in PDF!
15 March 2010 - Unite Yourselves
Whakapūpūtia mai ō mānuka kia kore ai e whatiCluster the branches of the mānuka so that they will not break
(Necessity of Māori to unite, to have a basic philosophy about where they are going)
This year, thousands of people converged on Ratana Pā for the annual celebrations marking the birth of prophet Tahupotiki Wiremu Ratana. Along with his faith healing, religious leadership, and political influence, TW Ratana gave new hope to Māori in difficult times during the 1920s, which later developed into a rising tide of nationalism. He called on Māori to come together and for successive governments to recognize the Treaty. "Dear people, if you desire to hold and maintain your identity as a Máori race, unite yourselves, for your rights and privileges as embodied in Te Tiriti o Waitangi".Through uniting ourselves, there is no limit to what we can achieve as a people and also as individuals. Ratana showed a hope and faith in people and the future of Te Ao Māori. A belief in one's abilities, and a commitment to following a path of self improvement are good first steps. Are you willing to unite yourself? Are you willing to rise to the occasion? Will you take a chance on your abilities? Will you take the plunge, even when the future may be uncertain? Take a chance and challenge yourself to greater heights, better futures, and a better life. Kia pai tō wiki!
Click here to download this message in PDF!
8 March 2010 - A Little Human Understanding
Takahia te ao, ka kitea te iwi, e tū tangata mai tātou.Ngā uri o rātou, kua mene ki te pō
Walk the universe, and you will find our people,
Let us stand proudly, descendents of those who have gone to Te Pō
On 16 January 2010, Emeritus Professor Patu Hohepa provided the MANU AO keynote address at the 7th Annual National Doctoral Writing Retreat organised by Ngā Pae o te Maramatanga at the Tainui Endowment College, Hopuhopu. In his lecture entitled, Karanga Hokianga (Hokianga Calls), he encouraged the students not to lose human understanding in the search for academic knowledge and footholds. You can be clear, explicit and intelligible without losing humanity and understanding. Emphasizing the point, he reminded the young scholars that, "a quarter teaspoon of understanding is worth more than a truckload of knowledge".Knowledge and wisdom is not the same thing. Wisdom implies understanding i.e., understanding of the consequences of our actions. We live at a time where there is an abundance of knowledge but understanding seems in short supply. While we know a person's wisdom develops with experience and time, we should focus less on isolated bits of knowledge and more on attaching wisdom to it as well...learning from practice, and the past mistakes of others. Pursuing knowledge and understanding and being able to apply both appropriately is the key to a meaningful future. Kia pai tō wiki!
Click here to download this message in PDF!
1 March 2010 - It's never about one person
Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitiniA warrior never stands alone, but stands with many
Professor Mason Durie began the year with a double celebration, a knighthood in the New Year Honours and his 45th wedding anniversary. The Massey University academic was named a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his services to Māori health, and in particular, public health services. Sir Mason described the knighthood as an honour for his family, especially his wife Arohia. "These things are never about one person". "It is also recognition of all those people who have helped make a difference, many of whom are no longer with us".Many people climb the ladder of success only to keep others from straddling similar heights. For Mason, his reason for climbing has never been to keep others down, but to pull them up. Elevating others and recognising their contributions is a gift to ourselves as well as to those we acknowledge. To value others' efforts is more than regarding them as important. To value is to appreciate the finer qualities and to invest time, energy, effort, and sacrifice in its maintenance. We all need to get to the point where we selflessly give others the respect they deserve, and the trust they have earned. It's only when we do so that we achieve the results we are seeking – and more. Kia pai tō wiki!
Click here to download this message in PDF!
14 December 2009 - The Good News
He honore, he kororia ki te Atua, he maungarongo ki te whenua,he whakaaro pai ki ngā tangata katoa
Glory to God in the highest, Peace on earth, Goodwill to all men
Anglican Archbishop, Whakahuihui Vercoe's simple eloquence one summer's morning in 1990... "One hundred and fifty years ago, a compact was signed, a covenant was made between two people... But since the signing of that treaty... our partners have marginalised us. You have not honored the treaty"...What was actually said at the Archbishop's Waitangi speech, the 150th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty, some said was radical, and unexpected but his message was 'good news' to Māori generally, but it made others including royalty, the authorities, and other dignitaries' present to sit up and take notice. It was impromptu – in the same way, perhaps, as the messages from the Old Testament prophets were unscripted and forthright, but with plenty going on to stir up even the who's who of heavyweights in those times.
In a comparable vein, over two millennia ago, One who was called "Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, the Prince of Peace", caused a similar stir with his 'good news' message for mankind. While supportive of the downcast and vulnerable, His message threatened the establishment. Today His message is as valid as it was during His lifetime. Actually, it is hard to imagine any time in history that has been more in need of peace and goodwill among all people than now.
As we head into Christmas it is a time for returning home, for gatherings and for enjoying precious time with whānau. Look forward with optimism to a brighter, challenging future in 2010. Kia pai tō wiki!
Click here to download this message in PDF!
7 December 2009 - Rising to the challenge
E Tu‐rau‐ngā‐tao e, pewhea tāua e whiti ai? Tēnā anō kei ona roratanga'O Tu rau‐ngā‐tao, how can we cross the river? At the place of its weakness.
Difficult obstacles can be surmounted if one perseveres and all avenues are explored.
According to 'The Listener' (Dec 5, 2009), Māori language pioneer, educator and author, Dr Katerina Mataira is the 5th most powerful and influential Māori in 2009. The greatest challenge she had to face was helping set up the first kura kaupapa Māori. "No support from the community. No support from the Ministry. No support from any of the funding bodies. No resources". She basked in the challenge.There is a line in her award-winning children's book, 'Marama Tangiweto, Crybaby Moon', which again typifies her character. Thunder and Lightning stopped to ask Moon why she was crying. "I'm crying because I can't see my face in the sea" sobbed Moon. "Oh is that all" said Thunder and Lightning. "That's only because you're not dazzling enough. Why don't you dazzle a lot harder? Then you'll see your face in the sea".
How you address the challenges life throws your way says a lot about who you are, and what you can become. Each of us can learn from Katerina's experience how to stand up to life's challenges. That recipe for success might include a pinch of dedication, a bit of courage, a few cups of dogged determination, and a generous helping of tenacity. What a great example of leadership she is. Kia pai tō wiki!
Click here to download this message in PDF!
30 November 2009 - Immense Courage
Ka mahi te tawa uho ki te ririWell done you whose courage is like the heart of the tawa tree
One of NZ's best known writers, Auckland University Professor Witi Ihimaera, who recently received the 2009 Arts Foundation laureate award, reflects in his epic novel Whale Rider of his ancestor Paikea's extraordinary voyage over a thousand years ago from Raiatea on the back of a whale, landing at dawn at a place called Whangara, on the East Coast. Few can know of the courage of our forebears' in travelling across the vast South Pacific ocean in search of a new home in Aotearoa. Our ancestors made their heroic voyages by sea-going waka, navigating by stars and migratory bird patterns – literally 'on a song and a prayer'. Ihimaera says, "The immensity of their courage beggars description".In all our forebears' voyages lies the beginning of our own - because their voyages are carried on by us. We have an obligation to our past to carry on those dreams not just for ourselves but for the futures of our tamariki and mokopuna.
Like any voyage, the path to success starts within you. On your journey, you may not know what challenges you'll meet on the way, or even when you might reach your destination and achieve your goal. Courage is simply choosing to do something. Start from the beginning and keep on going until you reach the end, and never give up. Like our ocean-voyaging forbears', you can do it – you know you can. Kia pai tō wiki!
Click here to download this message in PDF!
23 November 2009 - Knowing who you are
He tina ki runga, he tāmore ki raroContentment above, firmly rooted below
(Those with a good family foundation and proper grounding in their own culture and heritage will find satisfaction and contentment in life)
At a recent MANU AO Seminar, the Hon Dr Pita Sharples, Minister of Māori Affairs, referred to Te Arawa academic, Makereti Papakura, as a classic example of Māori development. "She understood the importance of attaining economic self-sufficiency, improving social conditions, and preserving one's culture and values". Makereti had been educated - in the old ways by her elders - about hunting with bird-snares, harvesting berries and fruit, and being tutored in genealogy and women's arts of weaving, dancing, song, and story. Her whānau played an integral and ongoing role in shaping the young, enquiring mind.After being formally educated in the ways of her English father, Makereti became a tourist guide, formed a choir, and a concert party and in 1910 moved to London taking with her a carved house from Whakarewarewa, along with artefacts and ornaments. She attended Oxford University in the late 1920s but died just months before her thesis examination – later published as 'The old-time Māori' – the first extensive published ethnographic work by a Māori scholar.
She learnt that the pursuit of satisfaction and contentment in life was about making connections through whakapapa and asserting one's identity and traditions. In her view: "Every Māori especially if he came of a good family knew his or her genealogy and exact relationship to every relative. This was most important to a Māori." "A people, is a great and living people, only so long as it is mindful of its heritage." The secret of Makereti Papakura's own greatness lay in knowing who
she was. Kia pai tō wiki!
Click here to download this message in PDF!
16 November 2009 - Make a contribution
Mate atu he tetekura, ara ake he tetekuraAs one chief dies, another rises to take their place
For over a century, Te Aute College has been instrumental in shaping some of Māoridom's finest leaders. Last month, 15 former Te Aute College students were acknowledged for setting high benchmarks for future generations of Māori leaders. One of the First XV was Victoria University's foundation Professor of Māori Studies, Sir Hirini Moko Mead. Speaking of another great former student, he says John Waititi was a remarkable man for his time. He made a great contribution to Māoridom as a whole, to education, and then moved on. He had very strong feelings that "one should make a contribution – that you don't just go through life just enjoying it and milking it for whatever you can. The idea that everybody has a contribution to make - I think, would have come out of our Te Aute experience".Leadership is ever changing. There are always new leaders emerging with their own unique styles of leadership to take over from ones' gone. Those who led before are no longer seen and memories invariably fade as people turn their attention to working with the new leadership in addressing current issues and challenges so that the futures of our tamariki and mokopuna are assured. Yes, life goes on, but make your mark in whatever you do. Kia pai tō wiki!
Click here to download this message in PDF!
9 November 2009 - No place like home
Tangata akona ki te kāinga, tungia ki te marae, tau anaIf a man is taught at his home, he will stand with confidence on the
marae, conducting himself properly, confidently and competently
If we want to create a world fit for our mokopuna, we must invest the time and effort required to nurture their leadership. In the past, the education of Māori children was a thorough preparation for life, with plenty of scope given for individual expression and growth. The focus was on the ability to climb mountains, to grow food, to build waka, to make a mat, to weave garments, read the tides, offer appropriate karakia, and look after siblings. Learning involved the whole whānau, and was a lifelong responsibility. Everyone had a say in providing opportunities to assist in shaping the young mind.One of our great Māori leaders, Te Rangi Hiroa (also known as Sir Peter Buck) demonstrates this ably. He attributed much of his learning to a kuia called Kapuakore. Upon her death, Te Rangi Hiroa received Kapuakore's paddle, which he described as his most precious heirloom, saying: I have studied under learned professors in stately halls of learning, but as I look at that paddle I know that the teacher who laid the foundation of my understanding of my own people, and the Polynesian stock to which we belong, was a dear old lady with tattooed face in a humbled hut walled in with tree-fern slabs.
Kia pai tō wiki!
Click here to download this message in PDF!
2 November 2009 - The Power of Three
Kotahi te kohao o te ngira e kuhuna ai te miro ma, te miro pango, te miro whero.I muri, kia mau ki te aroha, ki te ture, ki te whakapono
Through the eye of the needle pass the white threads, the black threads, and the red threads.
Afterwards, looking to the past as you progress, hold firmly to your love, the law, and your faith
This whakatauki originated with Potatau Te Wherowhero, the first Māori King, who, at the birth of the Kingitanga movement, spoke about how individual threads are weak, but the process of weaving three threads together makes for not only a strong fabric but they become beautiful, and tell a story.In his signature song, Whakaaria Mai, the late Sir Howard Morrison, one of NZ's celebrated entertainers referred to the three great christian virtues of faith, hope and charity: I ngā iwi ma whakapono ma te tumanako me te aroha o ēnei taonga ko te mea nui ko te aroha.
The power of three is considered the highest connection to the source. Using the power of three is a connection to the highest level of spiritual advancement and acceptance that we all need to achieve when we come together. But, it can only be done by actual living and walking the path, not in words, but in action and deeds. Kia pai tō wiki!
Click here to download this message in PDF!
26 October 2009 - Our Rangatahi are the future
Ka pū te ruha, ka hao te rangatahiWhen the old net is worn out and cast aside, the new net is put into use
In Malcolm Mulholland's award winning book about the history of Māori rugby entitled: Beneath the Māori Moon – An Illustrated History of Māori Rugby, he includes a quote from two Māori rugby legends – Waka Nathan and Buck Shelford – "The future of Māori rugby lies in our ability to govern, to coach, and to support our rangatahi in their dream to become the best that they can be".We need to seize the opportunities now that will give our young people the support, the training, and the foothold in the door that they need to succeed whether it be sport, the arts, education or whatever. Our rangatahi need to feel inspired to make their dreams come true, no matter what their situation is. Nothing is impossible, anything can be achieved. Kia pai tō wiki!
Click here to download this message in PDF!
19 October 2009 - Coming together as one
E kore e taea e te whenu kotahi ki te raranga i te whāriki kia mōhio tātou ki ā tātouMā te mahi tahi ō ngā whenu, mā te mahi tahi ō ngā kairaranga, ka oti tēnei whāriki
A strand of flax is nothing in itself but woven together is strong and enduring
Collective efforts often result in more meaningful and sustainable outcomes
At last weekend's Māori Art Market in Porirua, reputed to be the largest assembly of Māori art by some of Aotearoa's leading and emerging Māori artists, Victoria University's Professor Piri Sciascia, and former Executive Director of Te Māori Exhibition which toured the US back in 1984, was moved to say: "The lessons we learn from such occasions are the collective strength of all Māori coming together, humbly standing as one and taking direction from their leaders, and the air of excellence in everything that transpires".Art is a wonderful way to give full expression to one's identity. The experience one feels when observing the best of Máori art makes one swell with pride in being Máori. Working together as one, with exemplary leadership, aiming at excellence could be a successful formula for you too. Kia pai tō wiki!
Click here to download this message in PDF!
12 October 2009 - In Tune with our Tupuna
E tipu e rea, mo ngā rā o tau ao;Ko tō ringa ki ngā rākau ā te Pākehā, hei ara mō tō tinana,
Ko tō ngākau ki ngā taonga a o tipuna Māori, hei tikitiki mō tō mahunga,
Ā, ko tō wairua ki tō Atua, nānā nei ngā mea katoa.
Grow up and thrive for the days destined to you.
Your hands to the tools of the Pākehā to provide physical sustenance,
Your heart to the treasures of your Māori ancestors, as a diadem for your brow,
Your soul to your God, to whom all things belong
Nā Tā Apirana Ngata kia Rangi Bennett (1949)
In a recent speech to the Midland Region Iwi Relationship Boards on 12 August 2009, former Tumuaki of Te Wānanga o Raukawa, Professor Whatarangi Winiata encouraged Board members to prepare for the inevitable changes that are ahead; to collaborate; co-operate and communicate with each other, stating, "we have not been here before - but we can and will succeed, if we remain true to the teachings of our tupuna, which remind us that the solutions reside within us".Our tupuna are considered amongst the most important contributors to society, because they had the necessary wisdom and experience of this world, and through the transmission of oral tradition, they taught their people of morals, values and provided well-proven sage advice. Let's be constantly in tune with our tupuna, and listen to their healing whispers. Kia pai tō wiki!
Click here to download this message in PDF!
5 October 2009 - Aim High
Kei roto i a koe tō ake mana. Whaia te iti kahurangi, ki te tūohu koe, me he maunga teitei.Within each of us lies a seed of potential. Seek that which you most desire. If you bow your head, be it only to a lofty mountain.
Set your sights high and never take a lesser path.
On 17 July 2009 President Barack Obama marked the centennial of the African-American civil rights group, NAACP, by calling on its leaders to tackle modern-day problems. Obama urged black parents to take responsibility for their children and encourage them to aspire to greatthings.
"That means putting away the Xbox and putting our kids to bed at a reasonable hour," he said. "It means attending those parent-teacher conferences, reading to our kids and helping them with their homework." He said it also means "looking after neighbors' children and setting higher goals". "They might think they've got a pretty good jump shot or a pretty good flow, but our kids can't all aspire to be the next LeBron or Lil Wayne", he said "I want them aspiring to be scientists and engineers, doctors and teachers, not just ballers and rappers. I want them aspiring to be a Supreme Court justice. I want them aspiring to be President of the United States" The US President's remarks are equally relevant for Māori living in Aotearoa, today. Kia pai tō wiki!
Click here to download this message in PDF!