A KAHUNGUNU VIEWPOINT

Kaea, Issue 3, 1 June 1980, Page 11

A KAHUNGUNU VIEWPOINT

To start with when I was invited to participate in this twoweek course of Maoritanga, my thoughts were: well, I might learn something worthwhile, and at least it will be different. Our wananga was in the form of lectures and sessions of craftwork, by very capable teachers. I would like to mention these people briefly, to express again our thanks. To the Rev. Tioke, who gave us a useful and very interesting talk on herbs and plants, both edible and medicinal. As we couldn’t go the bush, he brought the bush to us. To Gordon Tarrant, for his patience and the skills he taught us in the form of tukutuku and kowhaiwhai. To Mita Carter for spending two days with us in the southern Wairarapa, telling us the history not only of the local landmarks but also of the surrounding coastal areas.

To our elders, the Rev. Duncan Hemi, Charles Mohi, Hine Paiwai, and especially to Tom Gemmell who organised our entire programme, and still had to teach school! To these elders for their help with whaikorero and karanga: thank you.

And last but not least to Jim Templeton and Keith Cairns our historian of the Wairarapa. Before the wananga started my brother-in-law said to me, “Listen to this guy, he’ll impress you.” That was an understatement. If there were

more people with the knowledge this man has we could only benefit from what they have to share. In the beginning when I was asked to come along to this wananga, I must admit I had certain reservations. I didn’t really have a clue whathit was all about, though perhaps my doubts were not as strong as some of the group to whom the thought of living, eating, sleeping and learning together was way out. My attitude was really one of indifference. In my mind I was a “Pakeha Maori”, plodding along in my lane in life, minding my own business and doing what I was told. Well, I’m still doing what I’m told, but no longer am I the Pakeha Maori. Now I’m the Maori who can stand on the marae and have something to identify with. For during the past two weeks I’ve found something that I hadn’t even known was missing.

And everyone else in our family agrees with that. I use the word “family” because after two weeks you can’t help but develop a sense of belonging to one family. And something we’d like to say to Maori Affairs: how come you’ve never done this before?

david McKinley Kurunui College Greytown

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