No longer lone Ma¯ ori soldier in Kaita¯ ia
What I love about Kaita¯ia and the Far North is the growing enthusiasm for Ma¯tauranga Ma¯ori. I’ve really noticed an increase within the last five years, particularly around understanding maramataka. People are coming home with loads of positive thinking around Ma¯tauranga Ma¯ori and how it can support them and their wha¯ nau.
I see what I and other likeminded people do is a way of laying a platform to encourage others to participate. More reo wa¯nanga and other marae-based activities recently have created a real shift in younger men wanting to be a part of similar kaupapa. It’s great to see an increase in positive male role models developing and being part of the community. There’s a ripple effect, with more men wanting and feeling the same. I felt like a lone soldier to begin with, but now I feel like we’re all working together to support our communities and our tamariki.
Our kauma¯tua were blessed with having Ma¯tauranga Ma¯ori ingrained in them. They know mana, tapu, ihi — it was intrinsically part of them. Us younger guys are keen, curious and inquisitive in our Ma¯tauranga Ma¯ori learning journey, as we’re from a different generation and our social structures are different. But it is encouraging to see more and more wanting to learn.
We know we don’t have to justify what we do, but we feel that we need to, to support everyone and be inclusive in learning. Learning comes naturally to Ma¯ori. We’re travellers, we’re hands-on, and we love to explore. We like to be a part of and be connected to the environment. We want our kids to feel the same, and I think that’s why I do what I do.
It’s never too late. You just have to change the thinking — Ma¯tauranga Ma¯ori is a great thinking space. The principles that guided our tu¯puna will guide us into the future.