PRELUDE - HE TIMATANGA

PRELUDE – HE TIMATANGA (II)

(Haare Williams (Papakura 9 June 2017)

‘Whakarongo ki te tangi a te tui

Tui, tui, tuitui-a tuia I runga tuia I raro

Ka rongo Te Po ka rongo Te Ao

Ka Awatea! ‘

I awoke into the bewitching hour when church yards yawn … to the trilling and inclusive sounds of tui across the street in their towering chapel in the old magnolia. Tomorrow belongs to a tui who feels the light in the still of darkness. Her tones of tenderness, sweet notes of love for a day of peace and security.  Tenderness, pulsating, evocations for a fresh start, with joy, and the sweet cacophony of love singing melodies like two perfect notes on the same sheet played out in the keys of adoration and homage.

I listened to a melody sewing together all the elements that sustain life beginning with this, a new dawn.  And hope.  Karanga, a keening call to wake up to all that has life.  As well, it is at once a lament.  Every morning is an aspiration of Creation.  A waiata distilled in darkness.

Yet …

I awoke into the bewitching hour when church yard yawn … to hear a cacophony of gunfire, bomb blasts, people with babies fleeing their home nations to continued stuff-ups, and to things I cannot change but must praise the wisdom to change the things I can.  Disappointment is to the soul as a storm is to a sunny day. Light alone can remove darkness.

Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding. “Hate cannot drive out hate, Darkness cannot drive out the darkness, only light can do that”. (Martin L King Jr).

“Only light can do that.”

As I read and understand someone’s pain, it makes me pray for that someone’s broken dream who believed in the free spirit and a vision for a peace. 

Let’s celebrate goodness now, not as a post mortem. Support those who fight on for decency. Make this new dawn a new beginning.  And support those who fight for what is good in the now against violence to women, hatred of other races, sexual difference and the damage of the free spirit that’s crawling into the global blood stream. Let’s support good, decent people who fight on for a safer, cleaner tomorrow. Now!

Demonstrate contempt for what is evil, for the politics of stroking fear and hate, fake news, and for the squandered trust of world leaders against extremism, against reckless leadership and the plundering of natural resources such as water.  Is this a temporary kind of aberration?

We always look absurd and feeble creatures when we stuff up.  Let’s stand up for good and reject the delusions of a pompous cretin, looking ridiculous in his new emperor’s clothes when the rest of us are shocked or giggling at how naked he and the Free World looks in the headlights.  Someone please tell him and his covert ‘cousin’, Vladimir to “covfefe off.”  Tell him “If you’re in a hole, stop digging. “

People, decent fair-minded people do not share reckless delusions. 

So despite the technical genius of our modern technologies, we stand on the brink of the gravest ecological catastrophe of our age that is global warming, increasing violence, and the dislocation of immense numbers of people in biblical numbers fleeing war, famine and poverty. Climate change is linked directly to consumerism and the acquisition of great wealth that threaten the integrity of culture and ecological balance. It’s called power, the crude face of greed.

We are not a post mortem heading for corporate and global Armageddon?

There are cultural options.

This month the night sky will be lit up by Matariki, Te Matahi o te Tau, the freshness of a new beginning when we move to spread love that hold everything that is good. 

Matariki offers us another way of remembering that predominant western ideologies based on capitalism is only one way of structuring our societies. Indigenous cultures tell us that global destruction isn’t inevitable. 

We’ve begun listening to the stars, now we must also remember to return to our roosts and once again listen to the birds. Listening is a sound that can make the world sound good and safe.  Let’s hold onto that which is good in a world growing smaller every day. 

‘Listen to the lament of the tui

Sewing things above, below, within, without

Heard in the night Feeling the Light

In the still of darkness

Light Ah, tis light’

Hope is inside. No one can take it away.  No good thing ever dies.

WHY MY COLOUR WILL ALWAYS BE LABOUR

My daughter once told a Labour Selection Panel, “Like mum and dad, I’m as Labour as a meat raffle at the Otara Flea Market on a Sat’day morning.” 

People ask me, “Why are you so dedicated to Labour when it’s betrayed Maori loyalty?”  So many reasons. 

Labour was first elected in 1935 which immediately set out social policies which led the world and put people into work building roads, bridges and homes for families therefore push-starting the nation out of a slowing economy.  

My gran spoke no English but knew three words important for her, ‘Michael Joseph Savage.’ For Rimaha and Wairemana, there was no blot on Labour with its famous cry “... make work schemes”, whereby the unemployed were put into work after a crippling Depression.  By the 1930’s Labour had evolved into a party of social liberalism, with a policy platform that called for the state to provide such things as free education, a salaried medical service, a free public hospital system, adequate standards of housing, the family benefit, a basic minimum wage and full employment.  My grans received The Old Age Pension  (years after Pakeha). And Labour set up the first social security systems in the world. 

Labour expanded such initiatives as free milk in schools, so proud when I was called out as “The milk monitor.”  I loved the red apples too.    

In 1935, and in 1939 Education Minister Peter Fraser explained the rationale behind planned reforms with education its cornerstone.  “Every person, whatever their level of academic ability, whether he be rich or poor, whether he lives in town or country, has a right, as a citizen to a free education of the kind for which he is best fitted, and to the fullest extent of his powers.’ Fraser acknowledged that country kids were disadvantaged.

 I am a product of Labour's policy to put school buses into remote New Zealand that took me, and my Maori cohorts into High Schools and Colleges.  Kirk later said, “Social Security does not imprison people.  It sets them free.  It does not sap self reliance.  It strengthens it by removing fear and insecurity.”  Kirk took us further into a unique place in global politics as a small nation prepared to take on a nuclear free stance in the face of a super power.  Lange and Rata took the balance of the treaty to another level by introducing the Treaty of Waitangi Act 1975 and Wetere in 1985 back-dated treaty claims to 1840.   In addition, Labour had the guts to halt a Springboks tour of New Zealand.

Education has failed Maori kids.  It failed Pakeha kids too.   In 1990, under Geoffrey Palmer, we witnessed change when The NZ 1990 Commission unloaded treaty education packs into primary and secondary schools which ushered in a revolution – a revolution in education, reconciliation and in nationhood.

Taken further, we can make the strongest impact if we can demonstrate an end to injustice, discrimination and disharmony in our own country. Taking a positive view, the diversity of peoples on our planet is one of the greatest synergies for humanity and we can do that and become the most livable small democracy in the world.    

In peace, New Zealand can lead to a radical contribution to world missions.  Redemption is a huge challenge that faces peoples globally.  One of the most important things that take place in the hearts of the offended is the release from unresolved grief.

Of course Education has failed us all.

But education is the only antidote I know to deal with fear, helplessness and failure.  Look to rangatahi (Maori and Pakeha fluent in our  two founding cultures) to craft a vision drawn from the furrows tilled by Savage, Nash, Semple, Fraser, Kirk, Rata, Rowling, Lange, Wetere and Clark and do more than just acknowledge Maori loyalty by building a bicultural conversation around the treaty, Kaitiakitanga, a generosity of spirit and trust.  Don’t ever lose empathy.  Mike Moore said it for me “I am very proud of what Labour has done.”

We can do it again.  I trust a new Labour government in 2017 will suture the wounds and scorns and again bring us together as one nation unified as in Hobson’s prophecy.

 “He iwi kotahi tatau.”

MOANA - THE DISNEY MOVIE

 HE ATUA E TIPUA HE TANGATA

In Maori whakapapa (ancient narratives), the most important formative culture hero is Maui. So, when daughter Arena invited me to the movie, ‘Moana’, Disney’s portrayal of Maui, it came as no surprise that I was reluctant to go.  Maui Tikitiki-a-Taranga, a name that evokes the  magic of the voyaging spirit.

I was reluctant because ill informed journalism has been has been relentlessly cruel and costly for Maori.  The truth about Maori origins is encoded in the Maori narratives that breathe of sea, land and voyaging that put life into a vibrant landscape.  The Bible is to Christians as these ancient stories are to Maori.  As with The Book of Genesis, layered whakapapa provide a rationale for unfolding the wonder of a new world. 

He aha koa a Maui?  Maui is a trickster hero found in stories the world over.  He is potiki, the last born who outshines tuakana (older siblings) in daring, rascality and mischief always challenging his elders for a better society. As the Greeks alluded to Homer in their founding culture in philosophy, ethics, religion, architecture and law, and so with Maui who lived with these narratives for maybe longer. 

Thus Maui is the Maori counterpart to Hercules.  He is, as well their Odysseus and Archilles.  These can draw parallels to Prometheus and Icarus. I make no apology for the comparison to Christ.

Maui stories, of which there are nine, can be seen as representing man, Adam seeking to achieve equality with the atua (immortal beings) for him and for society.  He represents the free male faced by choice between continual daring and achievement in the face of overwhelming odds, to achieve on the one hand and acceptance of non-achievement (failure) on the other.  He is always having to prove himself to maintain and increase his mana.  He is the representative tohunga, the man of mana (power) and able to tap into the source of atua.  He is the representative potiki (last born), the haututu (mischief-maker) without proper respect for established conventions.  Maui is regarded with indulgence and even with pride because a wilful child, one on the wild side a bit is tolerated because haututu children are seen as potential leaders, sometimes arrogant always seeking change. Then there is the conflict of interest between the individual (Maui) and the group (Maui’s brothers).

Maui is restless for change.  As time passed, a thought came to the restless Maui impatient to prove himself once more.

Once Maui acquired the jawbone of his great grandmother, Murirangawhenua he fashioned it into the magic hook and planned to use it as a tool to achieve many great deeds.  After fashioning small jewellery and gardening utensils he then made spears to catch birds. And last of all, he made the many types of hooks to catch fish. He also fashioned ropes that tamed the sun.

These tasks finished, he turned his attention to fine lines and nets for fishing. His brothers did not know that Maui had taken their great grandmothers jawbone and used a part of it to make special hooks. And with the jawbone he was able to make many conquests to change for a better society.

Maui had heard in passing of his ancestor, Hinenuitepo, the guardian for the spirits of ancestors.  He sought to conquer her.  His father too knew of his burning desire and warned him.

” My son, I know that you are indeed a very brave young man, and that you have achieved much.  Yet, I fear that there is one who will bring you down.”

“Who might that be?”

“Your ancestor, Hinenuitepo, the Great kaitiaki (protector) of the spirits at Rarohenga..”

“Where can I fund her?”

“You can see her flashing there where the sky meets the earth to the west.”

“I am Maui.  I have achieved many things.  Is her strength that of the sun?  Yet I trapped and beat him.”

“Is she greater than the sea which is greater than the land?  Yet, the land yielded to me?”

“I am Maui, my task is not over.  Now, let us now seek life or death.”

“Let it be, my son.”

So he prepared himself to enter the body of the great lady.  He told his friends, the birds not to laugh or even murmur a sound. And with the tiniest birds of the forest, Maui travelled to the place of the setting sun.

“Now.  When I enter the body of this great lady, I want you all to remain silent.  Wait until I reappear again, then you may laugh all you wish.”

“You’ll surely die.”

“If you laugh too soon, then I will indeed die.  But, if I pass through her body I shall live.  And you shall all live.”

Divesting his loin garment, he prepared.  Winding the cord of his embattled jawbone firmly round his wrist, he stood erect and quivering. 

Katahi ia

Ka hoki atu ki te kainga

Ka mea atu ona matua ki a ia

“Kua rongo koe ki te ako atu

A haere ana koe ki te tinihanga

I ou tipuna ana, ana”.

Ka kite koe i te huhi

Ka mea atu ona matua ki a ia

E pai ana nau te whakaaro ora

Ki te ora

Ki te mate ranei

Penei ka rongo koe

I taku ako atu

Ka ora koe e tama

Noho kau te iwi

His naked body mottled and glistening in the setting light, he stepped resolutely forward, erect, firm and quivering.

Thus Maui began the odyssey of life.  Slowly, bit by bit he pulled himself into the body of Hinenuitepo.  First his head then shoulders disappeared until only his waist and legs could still be seen.  The cheeks of the watching birds puckered trying to hold back their mirth.  Watching Maui’s legs kicking around, the fantail could hold back no longer, and burst into laughter. 

Hinenuitepo awoke. Her eyes flashed like sharp obsidian.  She clapped her legs together. 

Now Maui was the first being to die.  Maui failed in this self-appointed final task to gain immortality for humans. 

The guardian of mortal souls, Hinenuitepo remains at the entrance to Rarohenga in the spirit world.

Moana Waialiki is a sea voyaging yarn around Maui.  She is the daughter of a chief in a long line of navigators. When her island's fishermen can't catch fish and the crops fail, she learns that a tangata tipua named Maui caused the blight for ailing the heart of Te Whiti. The only way to heal the island is to persuade Maui to return Te Whiti's heart.  She answers the call of her grandmother, Tala to seek Maui and restore the mana (prosperity) of the island.  Tala tells Moana, “In your heart you hold the greatest power ever known.” On the way she encounters Te Ka (Teka), the fiery atua of fire (reminders of Mahuika and the encounter with Maui).  Then there’s the sentient coconut pirates called Kahawai.

 

In the movie, for me Maui appears to be stupid.  It is Moana Waialiki that exemplifies the true spirit of Maui Tikitiki-a-Taranga.  Not infrequently, potiki succeeded where those of senior descent failed.  He had no scruples about using his acquired powers of magic. 

At the end of the scrolling credits, I, with others applauded the movie.   Maui, “I can explain every phenomenon, the tides, the grass, the ground, the sea.  I am Maui.” Then there’s Heihei (absent minded chicken), and Poaka, and the Sea Crest with loads of personality.  Another prize goes to the musical clam.  Dwayne Johnson failed the pronunciation breath-test a little.

The primal language of ancient stories tells us that these stories should not be relegated to mere ‘faery tayles’ as they are as ‘Myths and Legends.’  Ambiguity and ambivalence are not only common but are the essence in all fine art – like dreams there are elements of fact and elements of fiction merged seamlessly together into one.

To know Whenua and Moana is to know the richness of our corner of Earth – Te Ika-a-Maui (The North Island).

Post script: ‘Moana’ is a happy, fun story and can be seen as the typical role model for teina and young women. There are few things more powerful than hard work, a single-minded focus against the odds to do what must be done and to prove everyone wrong.  If you’re good and work hard, don’t look for luck.  Luck will find you.