Just another Story Teller ………..
Mehemea karekau ana he whakakitenga ka mate te iwi Where there is no vision the people perish
From the first chapter of the late Michael King’s book History of New Zealand ‘Even as recently as 10,000 years ago humankind had spread to, and over every habitable continent on earth including New Zealand’s nearest neighbour Australia. But not in New Zealand. In New Zealand as an early geographer put it, a land without people waited for a people without land’.
Our tupuna were visionary people, who were guided to this land, by the elements created by the Maker. In complete oneness with the ancient world, with no left brain triggers to misguide them, as they completed their journey to the ‘Land of the Long White Cloud’. They were amazing story tellers who shared with their mokopuna the ancient stories that had been handed down to them. As the mokopuna grew up the tupuna then, shared their dreams and vision with them. Today we remember the message that was left behind to continue their uncompleted work. Mahia nga mahi, mo nga mokopuna, mo apopo. Complete the unfinished work for the children who will come tomorrow. The move for Maori in the 50’s from the rural shift into the urban city life to find employment, also caused families to become fragmented as a result of huge changes in the 20th Century. Story tellers were no longer around to share with the mokopuna, the traditional teachings of the old, the language, as well as the vision, and dreams, that became clouded. Funding for Maori Iwi Providers from Child Youth & Family are provided for under Article 111 of the Treaty. The late Sir Robert Te Kotahi Mahuta in 1997 said. ‘The Crown still has a duty to provide all the basic needs that Maori people and Citizens require’. The quantum leap into the 21st Century is already beginning to show a marked improvement in dealing with Care and Protection of our biggest asset who are our children. The emphasis in government on developing family policy with the appointment of the Commissioner for Children, Ministry of Social Development that focus on families, Strategies for Kids and Information for Parents brings back the simplicity of raising families. This is a very positive move to make changes to benefit families and especially children. That’s what the tupuna left behind, so that we finish their uncompleted work. The collaborative approach in working together today, is a recognition of sharing experience and knowledge in the 21st century to make a difference. At a recent meeting of the National Executive Committee we were informed that there were 180 Community Service Providers (37 were Maori providers), who are now current members of Social Service Providers Aotearoa. Both Ivy Williams and I are the tangata whenua members on the executive. Nga mihi kia koutou i tukuna o koutou rehita I raro ite whakaruruhau o Te Pou Taumaki i te Mana whanui ki Aotearoa. New Zealand Association of Child Family and Community Services.
If you wish to contact Ivy or myself please phone me on (027) 8481047), Ivy on (09) 4050992 or contact the Executive Officer, Jocelyn Wilson
Cilla Henry, Raukura Manaaki Trust
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