Place to Be

Te Huihui o Matariki Chi Huy Tran (Taranaki; he/him)  

Growing up in a traditional Vietnamese family and moving to Aotearoa when I was barely a teenager made it harder for me to accept a cultural identity. I found myself stuck between wanting to remain seated in the culture of the country I was born and raised in and wanting to explore my Māori whakapapa. Now I am actively learning my place in te ao Māori.

It might not be a big problem like it sounds, but it is for us Māori who weren’t born in Aotearoa. Lots of rangatahi won’t identify themselves as Māori. It’s understandable when they don’t grow up in the nest of te ao Māori and learn about tikanga. Not to mention they probably don’t even know much about their whakapapa. And honestly, it took me a while to tell people that I’m also Māori. Still, I get stared at and questioned if I’m really from here. I mean, they’re not wrong; I wasn’t born here. But I can proudly say that I belong here just as much as any other tangata whenua who grew up on this land.

I think it is unfortunate to encounter these questions and stares because it doesn’t matter where you were born as it doesn’t make you any less Māori. Being distant from the culture is not your fault and learning to embrace it is something that should always be encouraged. It’s also important that other Māori don’t look at those who weren’t born here as “outsiders.” Because, at the end of the day, we all come from the same roots and might even be distant cousins. Who knows, aye? 

Speaking from my experiences, no matter where you come from, if you whakapapa, you are Māori. Don’t ever be whakamā to call this place your home.

Chur,

Huy