Grace and peace to you all in the name of Christ. To all who have lost loved ones over recent times, our love to you. Those who are part of our lives remain with us always, in memory, and in Christ. E ngā mate, moe mai, moe mai. Takoto rangimārie i roto i ngā ringaringa atawhai o tōu Kaihanga. Kia tau ki a koutou katoa te aroha noa, me te rangimārie, i runga i te ingoa o te Karaiti.
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The Closing Waitang Tribunal Hearings for Te Papa Rahi o te Raki (Northland) are taking place at Otangaroa Marae as this newsletter starts its circulation. Since 2010 I’ve listened in to Hearings Weeks as often as I could and learnt an enormous amount about local history. I’ve also learnt much, and been humbled much, by way of cultural perspective, attitude, and – I hope - understanding.
Maybe I see things more clearly now, more than just the view of my own people but also what was and is true for the iwi and hapū of the North. More than 200 years of European/Māori contact has had a huge impact. One very personal thing has been to contribute to blanket making – paraikete patipati. It began with the blankets being stitched during the 2014 Hearings Week (also at Otangaroa), with aspects of the Whangaroa Rohe (district) story (including the Mission at Kaeo) being represented in picture and design. Tribunal members and staff, along with all the lawyers present, were invited to add their bit to the stitching. If anyone didn’t know how to do blanket stitch, they did by week’s end.
I got asked to do an embroidered patch identifying the event and its date. Drawing on what my mother and Gran had taught me, I willingly got to work, and ended up being recruited for a patch for the Hearings Week in 2015 at Te Tapui, Matauri Bay. More has followed including a special one symbolising my hopes for Whangaroa.
Our history blankets us. It can weigh us down, especially if it is loaded with things that are not to our benefit. But it can also warm us, if it encompasses in a way that supports and empowers. Like what happens when we step out from under the blankets in the morning and feel ready to start a fresh new day. Those good days that begin with purpose and hope.
Rangimarie Peace Shalom, Robyn
July 2017
