He Whakaaroaro

I recently had the privilege of attending the Karakia, a blessing ceremony for the opening of a renewed papakāinga. The first three homes of this papakāinga development built on Māori land, were completed and the early morning blessing began. I offer this Inoi mō te Hunga Iti Rawa (vulnerable communities) inspired by this whānau returning to live in community on their ancestral land. It was a moving experience.

Mātāpuna o te Tūmanako,

Source of hope,

Kia areare mātou ki tōu Reo.

We turn to your Voice.

E karanga atu nei.

Calling out to us.

Kia āta noho ki a mātou i ngā wā katoa, i ngā mahi katoa.

Be with us in every moment, in every action.

Kia mātau kia mārama ko tēnei aronga nui.

With greater awareness and direction.

Whakamānawa te hunga iti rawa.

May we strive to uplift and regenerate vulnerable communities.

Waihoki kua tau!

So be it!

We gathered before the break of dawn, listening for the first chorus of birds welcoming in the new day. In that moment, devoid of distractions from modern technology, we connected briefly with the natural world around us. "Korihi ngā manu – the morning chorus of the birds." These words hold profound significance in our rituals. In this continuum of darkness into light our incantations complement the natural world. These words are not just poetic expressions but are a concrete reminder of our roles and responsibilities in the taiao (environment) as kaitiaki (guardians/protectors of the taiao).

As we contemplate the challenges facing our vulnerable communities in Aotearoa, it's crucial in our roles to amplify voices that go unheard. Who is advocating or signalling the change for te hunga iti rawa our vulnerable communities who are most affected by societal, economic, political shifts? How do we ensure that every individual or community is treated with dignity and respect? In this time of recession, it’s not always easy to see how we progress together without someone pitting one community against another. We all know whānau directly affected by recent changes in government legislation. Who supports their voice?

Public sector job losses: the disestablishment of Te Aka Whaiora, cutting school lunches, proposed referendum on Māori Wards, co-governance, previous government expenditure, climate change, the geo-political climate are all blamed for rising inflation that jeopardises our most vulnerable. And in the meantime, unsolicited fast tracking of new legislation, superseding old legislation takes place quickly, many hoping under cover and unnoticed.

Recent geo-political manoeuvring in our immediate Moana-nui-a-Kiwa me te Moana-a-Tawhaki Oceanic highways provide fertile ground for further structural racism to go unchecked. Denial of the tangata whenua voice lies at the heart of the democratic majority rule driving these agenda and perpetuating structural inequality. It is vital to remember that working with the Tiriti partner and their lived realities creates sustainable and regenerative benefits for all.

As faith communities, the key is for us to shift towards more inclusive dialogues with tangata whenua, the Tiriti partner, as we address these structural injustices. In dialogue we approach social inequalities and political challenges with empathy and greater mindfulness of each other. In an increasingly divided and polarised world, we must embrace a more compassionate and nuanced perspective as we navigate the complexities of our vulnerable communities, working together towards a more equitable and just future for all. In that space may we clearly hear ngā manu korihi o te ata.