( Ten minute read)

With the second largest harbour in the world New Zealand is a colonial country with a Maori identity which is its unique point of difference in the world.

Plague by its past history it is now struggling to accommodate a cultural diversity.

JThis identity is reflected both in a language called Te Roa Māori ( The language that gives the exotic names not just to physical rivers mountains which did not arrive yesterday but to the whole country heritage.] along with a muffled pioneering English the is plagued with the word like.

Without its Māori heritage to the world the country would be just be a natural backwater of physical beauty that plays sports.

As with most colonies countries-their historically background are only coming to the forefront within the last few decades.

For the country to move forward as one nation white New Zealand needs to learn its true history, which is very unlikely.

At present there is a farcical demand for an independent Maori government.

Just imagine trying to marry two governments to run a country full of Cantonese immigrants.

In 1989 the government allocated $20 million to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the signing of the treaty of Waitangi. On the day of its anniversary in 2010 the Māori Flag for the first time flew over the Aukland Harbour.

Before New Zealanders fought for the British Empire in overseas wars they like the Irish fought against it on their own soil.

A lot of New Zealanders seem to think that modern day New Zealand came from a Treaty but the Waikato war in particular the siege on Orakau Pareto where Rewi Maniapoto made his last stand is a historical and spiritual significance to Maori who were the major inhabitants of the time.

The country is littered with Maori Art all of which is capitalised on by the tourists industry.

Below is a photo of a Pou Whenua.

It represents traditional knowledge and navigational tools Māori have held for centuries.

At the turnoff to Arowhenus Pa at Temuka stands a limestone archway, built in 1934

The Arowhenua Kamala to commemorate three significant strands of identity for the Waitaha-Kati Huirapa hapu of Arowhenua.

It honours the memory of a rangatira Te Hipa Te Maiharoa who passed away in 1855, the transformative leader Tahupotiki Witemu Ratana, of the Ratana Church, as well as 12 Maori soldiers of Te Wai Pounamu who fell on the Great War.

The difference is that Te Ureweta is tied to Maori identity.

It takes one generation to get rid of a language and more than three to reinstate it.

Here is a He Mihi.

Kia hipokina ano e to korowai te taone but.

Grab the city with your verdant cloak.

Kia whiwhi ko matos

That we, your heirs might benefit

Kia whiwhi te ao katoa

And so too, the whole world.

Mastering the art of interpretation in Māori is almost impossible.

For example translating Toi Tu Toi Ora:

Toi means knowledge, skill, excellence, source, origin, or mastery.

Ora to be alive, well and safe.

Mauri Ora means, that our life essence and our Wairua( Culture connectors, like Whatapapa (genealogy) atue ( ancestors) Karakia (prayer) and tikanha ( custom)

Wairua – living soul.

All come into play.

Try these words

Pouwhenua: Long- handled pointed weapon.

Tewhatewha; Long – handled fighting club.

It’s almost pathetic to think that like most indigenous peoples Maori have been reduced to second class citizens.

When the sun shines on this country there are no words to describe its physical beauty, other than you have died and gone to heaven.

Don’t wait till you are too old.

This is a young man or woman’s country requiring strong lungs and limbs and the ability to swim, climb, fly.

All human comments appreciated. All like clicks and abuse chucked in the bin.

Contact: bobdillon33@gmail.com