Amohia ake te ora o te Iwi ka puta ki te wheiao

We have just attended Koroneihana celebrations, the 17th of Kingi Tūheitia’s reign and in his message to the people, he was very clear about the focus for us all – Amohia ake te ora o te iwi.

This is the whakatauki that led the charge by Kingi Tūheitia and Waikato-Tainui to uplift and support te iwi Māori in the Covid 19 lockdowns and ensuing challenges around vaccination and caring for each other. 

Marae and Iwi groups around the country mobilised, providing and delivering ‘care packages’ to whānau, who in their isolation, were not faring well. These packages included foodstuffs, household needs and even Rongoa Māori. As a recipient of one of these packages, I can vouch for the relief that the Rongoa Māori gave me.

Earlier this year, parts of the country were devastated by flooding and the effects of te huripari Kapireira – cyclone Gabriel. The havoc wrought by Gabriel was evident particularly on Te Whānau a Apanui, Ngāti Porou and down into Kahungunu. 

Last month, Kingi Tūheitia visited the area around Kahungunu and Tai Rawhiti and saw firsthand the havoc wreaked upon the land and consequently the people. He was well received, and the people noted how pleased they were to see him, as they were still waiting for the government to front up. 

The way that Māoridom mobilised during these difficult times, he urged, were the example to follow. In all these matters, Māori mobilised quickly, moving to the areas most in need. 

Marae opened to all who needed shelter, food was provided to support those made homeless, not only Māori, but everyone who needed support. Co-ordination of services, sharing of resources is something that Māori know how to do and do well. “We all know mana motuhake works. We know that by Māori for everyone works” we all need to work together. 

Let Māori and the way we work together be the change that’s needed in our society. 

He asked that in this year of elections that the Māori politicians, across the house, work together for the betterment of the people. He likened the work in parliament – the Beehive – to a real beehive, where you have worker bees, those who lay the eggs, those who support the queen etc. all work together to create the honey and pollinate the flowers to encourage new growth. They don’t work in silos, one here, another there and so on. Māori politicians, change is needed! 

Kingi Tūheitia Potatau Te Wherowhero te Tuawhitu in his message pointed out areas of our society where Māori continue to be those most affected detrimentally. His words resonated “Change is needed”, let Māori lead the way so that we may truly say “by Māori, for everyone” for what benefits Māori benefits everyone. 

Amohia ake te ora o te iwi is the rationale and the impetus for the change that is needed. 

Pai Mārire!

He inoi mō te Rangimarie – A prayer for peace

E te Atua, ko koe te take o te rangimarie, e paingia ana e koe te āta noho, mā te mōhio ki a koe ka ora tonu ai mātou, he tino mahi rangatira te mahi ki a koe. Tiakina ō pononga i ngā wā e whakaekea mai ai mātou e ō mātou hoa whawhai, kia kore ai rātou, te hunga e okioki atu nei ki a koe e wehi ki te kaha o ō mātou hoariri, e kaha ana hoki tō mātou Ariki a Hehu Karaiti. Āmine.