Reflection written by Evile Fakalago, Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment
I arrived at Retreat 2 feeling nervous. We were invited to explore our va (relationship) with the whenua (land), through the perspective of tangata whenua: Matua Ted Wihongi, guest speakers and the Kohewhata marae whānau. My kete going in to our second retreat felt light. With the long bus trip and marae-style sleeping arrangements for the next few days, I knew this was going to be intense.
I stood looking up at the awesome sight of Tane Mahuta, an ancient Kauri tree rumoured to be older than Jesus, as our speaker Zane Wedding shared his whakapapa, calling back to ancestral stories about the whenua; the mauri (life essence) that exists in all things, the symbiotic relationship we have with the whenua and our role to preserve the knowledge and precious resources. Surrounded by native birds in full song, the swaying of trees, and feeling Zane's words echoing his ancestors, I grounded myself and embraced becoming one with the mauri of Waipoua forest.
The Mana Moana team spoke warmly about the cherished va shared with Matua Ted and whānau, our hosts in Kaikohe. From the powhiri welcoming us on to the marae, to the warm hugs to say goodbye, our va came alive and flourished. Whanaungatanga was on full display during our poroporoaki night, sharing our culture with the Kohewhata marae whānau and extended family, as our honoured guests. It was a night filled with aroha in uplifting our va, full voices in waiata and laughter, enjoying the customs that anchor who we are. It felt like home.
Kohewhata marae became a safe space for rest and recovery, with the promise of being re-energised by Fatu's (wake up) voice in prayer, setting the tone each morning. As we finally settled into the bus preparing for travel back to our own aiga, the soul-healing wafts of Ngawha Springs still fresh on my skin, I appreciated what being one with the whenua meant and the amazing people who added to my kete along the way. I left Kaikohe and Retreat 2 with my kete overflowing, feeling enriched and connected.
Evile wrote this following Vā Fonua, the second retreat of seven in Tū Mau Mana Moana.
Tū means to stand, arise, be, to be upright in 48 of our languages – it is Austronesian in origin and one of our most ancient source languages. At its zenith, Tū or Kū is the archetype of humanity - of the god of war, of the realm of humankind.
Mau is in 47 of our languages and is linguistically categorised as Polynesian in origin. It refers to seeking, finding, persisting, holding on to, firmly and tightly. Mau is a well-known movement of liberation and a calling cry to reclaim power.
Together, these words create Tū Mau – to stand and hold, to be firm and seek. The approach and orientation of this programme is designed specifically for Pacific peoples seeking to lead in the public sector.
Find out more about Tū Mau Mana Moana here.