From the Pā to the City

Growing up in a full house where you dedicate a lot of your time to others and working at the marae, you take for granted the skills you learn from being present and looking after your kaumatua. Growing up on my papa kāinga gave me the opportunity to learn the skills I hold dear to this day. My parents were never the type to force things on me, but they were always advocates for education, being present at our papa kāinga, and learning hands-on.  

My parents' method of ensuring we spent time at the marae learning and helping soon turned into a tool that helped me grow closer to my culture and urged me to learn more about being Māori. I started to utilise the knowledge, connections, and time spent on my maunga and marae as guidelines to support me through any challenges I was facing. These lessons also helped me gain valuable attributes that allowed me to succeed.

It started with a tea towel and learning how to set tables. We learned from a young age how to cater to our people; remembering coffee orders while doing the rounds clearing tables after supper or hākari.  From a simple job like doing dishes, I learnt other people's life stories and my own history from my whānau. Though I was only drying dishes, I gained important knowledge and skills that I wouldn't have learned in a classroom. I could tell people many stories about the positive impacts Te Ao Māori has had on me, but all I can say is there is no better classroom than going home to your own whenua and learning from your own whānau. My experiences and my connections are merely a glimpse into what Māori have to offer. Being Māori is more than being brown, singing waiata, and doing a haka at the rugby game. Being Māori is an honour, a lifestyle, and a blessing.

He puawai au nō runga i te tikanga

He rau rengarenga nō roto i te raukura

Ko taku raukura rā he manawanui ki te ao

This is a whakataukī that is used to ground my whānau and I in times of uncertainty or grief. The raukura holds more meaning than just being a feather. The raukura is a symbol of those before us, those after us, hope, determination, and resilience. Though this is a quote to others, it was a guideline I held close to me during transitions, changes in environments, and challenges. As I have moved through the years, my culture has helped me in ways mere qualifications could not provide. I gained experience, knowledge, and new networks by just being present at my marae and diving deep into understanding my culture. The skills that you learn from your people, your papa kāinga, and your whenua will be the future tools you use. Not only will they help create better communities, safer learning environments, and better hosts, leaders, and influencers for the next generation, but they will also be a stepping stone to breaking generational cycles. Even in the moments of succeeding and triumph I remember⁠—ko te koauau anake ka kī ‘ko au, ko au’ engari ka whakaiti i a koe, he rangatira.

CultureEditor SalientBatch020