Surrounded by friends at Orakei Marae, Joseph Hawke stood to speak, while his sibling Patu and cousin Bobby and distant cousins from Helensville marae, Awa Hudson and my mom, watched on.
We had gathered at Orakei to celebrate Alice Ringa-Poto Rakena Pihama‘s colorful life, as an artist who wove tukutuku panels, that sold out at this year’s Atamira: Maori in The City festival in West Auckland.
Hundreds gathered for Pihama’s funeral. It was a very special time. In celebrating Alice’s beautiful and gracious family and her life of love and serving her marae and people with fifty years living at Orakei and contributing to the arts and tribal cultural life, Papa Joseph Hawke stood to speak and remind the younger generations of how Ngati Whatua o Orakei has always been a bastion in overcoming greed, racism and State corruption. At times, this tribe has been greatly used to speak out against State brutality, when the State has forgotten that it should serve all New Zealand’s healthy interests, not just a mere fews, by being over-forceful and unjust, using the arm of State Services as if a small milieu’s own assets.
I shed a few tears when Joseph talked about how, one day a visiting princess was visiting New Zealand. She was to drive past Orakei. Police took flamethrowers and razed the houses of Ngati Whatua o Orakei people. They burned them to the ground, as they were embarrassed for this future queen to see Maori people and how we lived. We were an embarrassment, we’d spoil the view of our own tribal lands. So we had to be disposed of, displaced, hidden away, like naughty children – or afterthoughts of The State.
These were dark days for the tribe. Watching the “oldies” recall these awful times they had survived and endured, would make any younger Kiwi cry. Throughout the day, celebrations occurred with the music and sounds of tribal Kapa haka. A beautiful cultural occassion. My favorite, was the old folks, “Sunday School Medly of hit songs.” Namely, “Down by the River Side” etc. Too cute.
This is a true story, blog post. Thanks Joe Hawke.
[All photos of - A Day in The life of A Wharenui - Orakei Marae, taken on this hori's phone. Image of Robert Muldoon, a racist pig PM, from history's dark past, via Wikipedia. Triumph of the Will, Tukutuku panel blog post - going up as contemporary cyberspace tribute, to the tukutuku weaving prowess of Aunty Alice's lifeswork.
Peace! Let’s go New Zealand in remaining a strongly democratic society that remains proud of Maori peoples rich legacy of love in this fine nation in overcoming greedy dictator piggies – who resemble communist dictators with each passing day. :)
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Aotearoa New Zealand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 12.10.11~
HOLLYWOOD TIKANGA – THE WAY OF THE WISE BRINGS PEACE – THE BRONAAKI OF US – 2.17.11
אַף־אַ֭תָּה תָּפֵ֣ר יִרְאָ֑ה וְתִגְרַ֥ע שִׂ֝יחָ֗ה לִפְנֵי־אֵֽל׃
Ko te arero reka he rakau no te ora; tena ki te wanoke a roto he wawahi wairua.
The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, don’t crush the spirit.
He tangata ano ko ana korero maka noa, me te mea ko nga werohanga a te hoari;
he rongoa ia te arero o te hunga whakaaro nui.
מוּסַ֣ר מְלָכִ֣ים פִּתֵּ֑חַ וַיֶּאְסֹ֥ר אֵ֝זֹ֗ור בְּמָתְנֵיהֶֽם׃
Reckless words are as the piercings of a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
~Bronaaki is the collective brotherhood of Manaakitanga’s rich cultural values as epitomized in the prayerful and mindful spirit of Bronagh Key of Helensville and her people of Aotearoa New Zealand.
The words of King Solomon – son of King David – The Psalmist Warrior King, history’s wisest King on Earth as posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 2.17.11~
Posted by horiwood on February 18, 2011 in America, Art, artist, Bronaaki, Bronagh Key, Culture, English, Health Care, Hebrew, Helensville, Heritage Arts & Culture, Hollywood Maori Kings, Hollywood Today, King Solomon, New Zealand, Pop Art, Pop Cultural Commentary, Spirit, Superpowers discourse and direction, Te Reo Rangatira, Tui of Helensville, Tukutuku panel, Wisdom, Wisdoms Buffet, Women, Words, World History, World News, World Peace, Writers