MAORI WRITERS OF ENCOURAGING SPIRIT – PAGES FROM SIR PETER BUCK’S EPIC LIFE’S JOURNALS
Born roughly 135 years ago in 1877, Te Rangi Hiroa (Sir Peter Buck) was a Maori writer. He would spend a life liviing in New Zealand, Hawaii and time spent in New York City too. The remarkable essence of Te Rangi Hiroa was encouragement. His letters to key leaders wrote encouraging words from across the other side of the world. He mentored his peers with his spirit of encouragement.
He also wrote thirty books. Not bad for a Maori-Kiwi lad. It is normal for Maori to be published, excel, to amazing things, to lead in New Zealand and the world. I love his story. A Kiwi icon. He wrestled racist oppression off his people with achievement. He achieved through being a mediator. An incredibly patient man to have had the fortitude and ability to be a bridge. Like I said: he started that role a hundred years or more ago. His legacy did not go away. It didn’t vanish. It’s perhaps a national shame on our own conscience as a peple in New Zealand of own ignorance in not acknowledging a benchmark he set for New Zealand to understand what he gifted us. His legacy is one of seeing Maori more in intelligent ways of equal recognition in leadership. He gave me courage to travel as a New Zealander.
A man far more noble than myself, who is well worthy of being honored and having his legacy recognized again and again and again as an outstanding founding father of both New Zealand and the South Pacific too. (more…)
TE ARIKI-VERSE: POEM OF MEMORY KEUINA CLIFF’S COOK ISLANDS – SEPTEMBER 20th 2012
Rarotonga: The blue lagoon reflects your memory. Your salty fresh pure air, captures the spirit and holds the heart. Your starring 15 isles are scattered as fragrant frangipane petals floating halfway between New Zealand and Hawaii. Sara de Janeiro speaks of your rare beauty, of your welcoming people with the widest white smiles. She tweets David Thoreau from your Isles, “Wealth is the ability to fully experience life,” en route to Island time Zumba class. I write of rain-jewelled Te Ariki from Aotearoa. His Scottish-Raro verse my treasure chest of words. A rare glare of divinity from lip and broad brow ebbing. "Sea high on the rocks, the gulls flung from the sea, the dark wooded hills, Bees and trees filled with wild honey and, sweet as incense-clouds, Swarming with mist, and mist low on the sea." Watching the boats go by, we are "standing or crouching, our backs to the sea."
Poetry: Te Ariki-Verse: Poem for Memory keuina Cliff’s Cook Islands: Cook Islands, poet.
–DUATravel website. Memory Keuina Cliff, is from the island of Mauke in the Cook Islands. Poetry 2012 – The Written World, creating a unique picture of the nations of the world in verse. Cook Islands 2012 Profile. Radio link: The Voice of the Cook Islands. Tweet Poetry here. And: Fans Watch.
Don’t miss: Want more poetry? Find it on the Scottish Poetry Library website (www.scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk)
~Posted by Horiwoodblog, Aotearoa New Zealand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 22.9.12~
NATIONAL HUI ON WATER RIGHTS – THE MAORI KING TUHEITIA HOSTS A-LISTED ARRAY OF MAORI LEADERS OF ASIA-PACIFIC
Turangawaewae played host to the hui for Maori on water rights in New Zealand. Mark Solomon said he would have prefered that there had been no politicians present. Tukuroirangi Morgan said it’s about coming together as water unites us. And the Maori King, Tuheitia Paki is looking very vintage old school, King-like in a Chicago way with that potai (a hat).
Simon Dallow, Wendy Petrie and Jessica Mutch serve up the first report.
And now for the SERIOUS water unites us korereo (conversation) from Scotty Morrison, Tini Molyneux and talented Te Karere team.
(coming soon when English-Maori version is uploaded online).
In the meantime, here’s a clip:
~Posted by Horiwoodblog, Aotearoa New Zealand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 13.9.12~
wAi 700+
700 Maori A-Listers & friends are meeting about water today to acknowledge how:
“water unites us.”
I intend on watching Jessica Mutch‘s coverage on TVOne. :)
[Photo: Tukuroirangi Morgan, spokersperson for the Kingitanga (Maori King's tribe) of Tainui].
~Posted by Horiwoodblog, Aotearoa New Zealand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 13.9.12~
OF GOODNESS THAT PERVADES REALITY: OPTIMUM DAD TIME – SEPTEMBER 11th 2012
Dad and I went for lunch yesterday. He imparted a lot into my brain and I guess, my life too.
One word lingered today in my consciousness that dad had reinforced with me as a coach friend. The word is a good one. It is “optimism.”
About optimism:
Hopefulness and confidence about the future or the success of something.
The belief that good must ultimately prevail over evil in the universe.
–Oxford Dictionary defintion.
An inclination to put the most favorable construction upon actions and events or to anticipate the best possible outcome. (more…)
BALANCING ECONOMIC GROWTH INTERESTS, THE COOK ISLANDS LAUNCHES WORLD’S LARGEST MARINE PARK 2012
World History was made in the South Pacific as the world’s largest marine park was launched in Rarotonga, The Cook Islands.
Foreign Correspondent Ngahuia Wade of the Ngai Tuhoe Iwi (Maori tribe of New Zealand) brings the story as Scotty Morrison presents.
Currently in the South Pacific $400-$500 million of fish are poached illegally by fisherfolk from around the world invading fisheries stock in South Pacific waters. Combined with increased kaitiakitanga (governance) of South Pacific people’s oceanic territories, the marine park is a good step in ensuring sustainbility of marine life for future generations. Tumeke primo.
Watch the beauty of global leadership trends being furthered from the Cook Island’s PM. Sky news also reported:
“The marine park covers about 1.1 million square kilometres of the South Pacific. Fishing is banned for commercial export in these waters.
It is roughly half the exclusive economic zone claimed by the Cooks. (more…)
LIFE’S SUNRISE FLOWS IN THE VEINS: TE RANGIHIROA – SIR PETER BUCK
Oh navigator, Am-Kiwi Maori father, New York, Hawaii, Ngati Mutunga, Yale scholar, Swedish Order of the North Starman, our peak of Maunga Loa. Your mind a swirling ocean of te aute, Colenso thoughts. Rare exotic-novel man abroad. Medicine man of culture back home. Those forbearing formidable, Polynesian Vikings of The Sunrise always whispering wisdom of life's tupuna flows in the veins.
–Ode to Te Rangi Hīroa, Sir Peter Buck, Kiwi hero.
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Photos: Margaret Wilson and Sir Peter Buck. Sources: & National Libary & Puke Ariki & Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand, reference number: 1/2-078259-F, circa 1930.
~Posted by Horiwoodblog, Aotearoa New Zealand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 1.9.12~
PACIFIC FORUM NEWS – MAORI LEADERS SEEK SEAT ON PACIFIC FORUM COUNCIL’S SOUTH PACIFIC GOVERNANCE PANEL
Te Karere News reports: Maori Leaders are a part of the South Pacific leaders delegation meeting in the Cook Islands at the assembling of the Pacific Forum.
Four iwi leaders including Ngai Tahu’s Mark Solomon, Tainui’s Tukuroirangi Morgan and Ngati Porou’s Selwyn Parata descended onto the Cook Islands ahead of the Pacific Forum’s meet and greet. Te Arawa also sent a delegat. Polynesian heads of state see Maori as having a place on the Polynesian forum made up of countries like Cook Islands, Tahiti, Samoa and Niue. Excellent idea.
Of interest to most people in Asia-Pacific is Maori New Zealand citizens rising role of furthering both entrepreneurial economic development, fisheries and resources kaitikitanga (guardianship), sufficient marine surveillance measures and very importantly, providing valuable insights into culturally appropriate policy and trade agreements concerning Pasifika and Polynesian people of the South Pacific and Asia-Pacific.
If this happens all citizens of the South Pacific will win more fairly in trade deals, why I think this story is wise in protecting all New Zealand citizens and our Island dwelling friends and allied sovereign nations, our children and children’s children’s best interests with long term planning thinking beyond two generations.
Ngahuia Wade conducted the interview in a mix of English and Te Reo Rangatira (NZ’s timeless Language of Chiefs of the South Pacific). Scotty Morrison presents the story. Good stuff.
[Image: Historical image, Snail Mail Post: the Robert Louis Stevenson 7D postage stamp, Western Samoa's literary traditions].
~Posted by Horiwoodblog, Aotearoa New Zealand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 27.8.12~
SIR PETER SNELL TO BE INDUCTED INTO IAAF HALL OF FAME
Naturally built in his genetic make-up and design, Sir Peter Snell was born to be an athlete.
Humble he ran his way into Kiwis vision, hearts, imagination and minds.
Two feet running smartly, one foot in front of t’other, enough stamina to sustain the burn of energy over the finish line. For his initiative to run the race, he became New Zealand’s sportsperson of the century.
A middle distance runner, he would go on to earn three Olympic gold medals. After running, his mind forever changed on top of world achievement, he took his winning mind and embarked on a journey into science. Like track, the same mind followed a winning pathway of scientific attainability.
Today, Lamine Diack, the President of the IAAF announced Sir Peter Snell would be inducted into the Hall of Fame. The timing of the announcement coincides with the start of Athletics at the Olympics in London. (more…)
SIR HOWARD MORRISON’S STAR & A LIST OF TOP MAORI NEW ZEALAND SPORTS STARS
“Whaia te iti kahurangi, ki te tuohu koe, me he maunga teitei”
Seek the treasure you value most dearly. if you must bow down at all, make sure it is to a lofty mountain.
–Ta Witi Ihimaera‘s favorite Maori proverb. As seen on Aoraki Bound website, Ngai Tahu Iwi.
Or in modern and ancient terms of Aotearoa New Zealand’s founding mothers and fathers team spirit:
be the mountain, you see.
Alright, in case you didn’t know of them, here’s a list of amazing sports stars too New Zealand is proud of – to have in our tribe of top athletes and coaching talent too.
Their news is:
Another champion All Black has scored the supreme Albie Pryor award for top Maori sportsperson for the second year in a row.
Rugby World Cup victor Piri Weepu took out the Senior Maori Sportsman title before being named Albie Pryor Memorial Maori Sportsperson of the Year at an Auckland black-tie ceremony tonight (December 3 2011).
Te Tohu Taakaro o Aotearoa is hosting the 21st National Maori Sports Awards at the TelstraClear Pacific Events Centre in Manukau.
In an article in UK newspaper The Telegraph on the eve of the Rugby World Cup final – ‘Rugby World Cup 2011: Haka leader Piri Weepu becomes the focus of attention in New Zealand’s battle’ – rugby writer Brendan Gallagher wrote:
“He not only represents the New Zealand; he is the Maori heart and soul of an All Blacks team, an individual who brings great pride in the considerable Maori hinterland of New Zealand rugby.
“The way he steadied the New Zealand ship has seen him morph into a superman figure in the adoring local press and poignancy was added to the Weepu story when he walked off the pitch after kicking seven penalties to defeat the Pumas only to be told that his much loved grandfather, Billy, had just died.
“He jetted down to Wellington and on to his home village of Wainuiomata to help organise the funeral but returned in time for the semi-final against Australia. This man is everywhere.”
All Black Hosea Gear took out the supreme prize in 2010.
The annual event – established by the late Albie Pryor – fosters, promotes and encourages Maori sportspeople in the pursuit of excellence.
The 2011 award recipients are:
ALBIE PRYOR MAORI SPORTSPERSON OF THE YEAR – Rongomaraeroa: Piri Weepu (Te Whakatohea, Ngai Tahu) – rugby
SENIOR MAORI SPORTSMAN – Te Tama-a-Tanenuiarangi: Piri Weepu (Te Whakatohea, Ngai Tahu) – rugby
SENIOR MAORI SPORTSWOMAN – Hineahuone: Lisa Carrington (Te Aitanga-a-Mahaki) – canoeing
JUNIOR MAORI SPORTSMAN – Te Tama-a-Ranginui: Trent Woodcock-Takurua (Ngapuhi) – BMX
JUNIOR MAORI SPORTSWOMAN – Te Tamahine-a-Papatuanuku: Thea Awhitu (Taranaki Tuturu) – boxing
MAORI WORLD CHAMPIONS IN TEAMS AWARDS – All Blacks, Rugby World Cup: Piri Weepu (Te Whakatohea; Ngai Tahu); Israel Dagg (Ngati Kahungunu); Richard Kahui (Ngati Maniapoto); Zac Guildford (Ngati Kahungunu); Aaron Cruden (Ngati Raukawa); Corey Jane (Ngati Kahungunu; Te Atiawa); Corey Flynn (Ngai Tahu); Hosea Gear (Ngati Porou).
MAORI WORLD CHAMPION AWARDS: Jason Wynyard (Ngati Maniapoto; Ngapuhi) – woodchopping; Luke Thompson (Ngapuhi) – tae kwon do karate; Sam Sutton (Te Arawa; Ngati Tuwharetoa) – extreme white water kayaking; Chelsea Marriner (Ngati Ruanui) – dog agility; Jayne Parsons (Taranaki) – tandam cycling; Lisa Carrington (Te Aitanga-a-Mahaki) – canoeing; Jan Khan (Ngati Rangitihi) – lawn bowls.
MAORI WORLD CHAMPIONS IN TEAMS AWARDS: Reuben Te Rangi (Ngapuhi) – 3 x 3 basketball
MAORI SPORTS MEDIA AWARD – Whakapaaoho Reo o Hinepukohurangi: Maori Television/Te Reo – 2011 Rugby World Cup Final
MAORI SPORTS COACH – Te Maru o Tumatauenga: John Love (Te Atiawa) – softball
MAORI SPORTS TEAM – Nga Ika a Whiro: Jason and Karmyn Wynyard (Ngati Maniapoto, Ngapuhi) – Jack ‘n’ Jill Saw
MAORI UMPIRE/REFEREE – Te Aratiatia: Miah Williams (Ngati Tamatera; Ngati Hako) – touch
DISABLED MAORI SPORTSPERSON – Te Toihuarewa: Jayne Parsons (Taranaki) – tandem cycling
MAORI SPORTS ADMINISTRATOR – Maui Tikitiki-a-Taranga: Tony Kemp (Te Atiawa) – rugby league
The Maori Sports Awards – our people, our fair players, our passion, privilege, pride of place – List.
[Athletes pictures: John Love (softball coach - Marist). Jason Wynard & Friends, Bay of Plenty Times & Northern Advocate. Reuben Te-Rangi, Basketball NZ. Maiah Williams (referee touch rugby - Thames Valley Swamp Foxes). Rotorua Daily Post. Hosea Gear - Hosea Gear Blogspot Blog. Tony Kemp THC.co.nz. Jayne Parsons - Zimbio. Luke Thompson - Getty/ Zimbio. Lisa Carrington, Wanganui Chronicle.
Music: Mr Chris Knox, Not Given Lightly, Ms Hollie Smith & Don McGlashan Bathe in The River, from the movie No.2. And the original, Maori pop superstar, homegrown boy - Sir Howard Morrison complete with crazy cool Kiwi fans.
[Photo: Sam Sutton, Honza Lasco Washington - extreme white water canoeing snap shot - Team Hydraulics blog].
Alright Lisa Carrington and village friends in London, Kia Kaha & Good Luck! :)
~Posted by Horiwoodblog, Aotearoa New Zealand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 5.8.12~
OUR OUTRIGGER CANOES OF SCIENCE, EDUCATION, INNOVATION FOR POLYNESIAN & PASIFIKA YOUTH POPULATIONS OF THE WORLD – NEW ZEALAND SPIRIT RISING & INVESTING IN PI YOUTH
Because science, innovation, education are New Zealand peoples spirit - of our strong outrigger canoe culture of navigatable adventurous and creative discoveries into new horizons of destiny and change too:
In investing R&D capital into our future innovative inventors of sustainability and peace news:
In my mind I see, children all throughout the South Pacific, even up to the Marshall Islands into even the island of Guam, maybe Vietnam too. They each have a laptop and tablet each. On the internet they are taught curriculum subjects from New Zealand.
Their learning is accelerated and a generation of Polynesian (and Asian?) children arise, supported by their New Zealand friends nearby and afar, to allow the potential of Polynesia’s youth to be all they will be, for the gifts in their lives the world will need to be stronger, smarter, more creative – in the years to come. If we all do this for them that’s so going to happen.
This is the burden that sits very strongly on me today. I really want to see our groovy and unique white, Pakeha New Zealanders do it, just to teach the world what cool New Zealand citizens look like as architects of the world – and to push back the powers of greed, on our Island dwelling Polynesian friends.
Although we admire the braun of Polynesian peoples natural dna (Jonah Lomu storms to mind) - it is their Peaceful spirit (most days), their respect for their elderly, their creativity so rich yet largely untapped, their spiritual gifts, the notable and noble warmth of heart, a trusting innocence in the good of the wider world and their unique thoughts that dwell within their minds; that we will need to see more of in the world, twenty years out from this point. We need to invest more in it.
Photo: Namua Island, Aleipata Upolu, Samoa–Real Adventures. (more…)
WE BRAVE: THE ELEMENTS – FIRST CROSSINGS REALITY TV SHOW CELEBRATES NEW ZEALAND’S FOUNDING FATHER’S ADVENTUROUS TEAMWORK SPIRIT
John Mulgan‘s famous novel, Man Alone gets an update; finding a twin to depict the art of original (Indiana Jones-styled) adventurous Kiwi spirit. A hallmark of Aotearoa New Zealand’s founding fathers. Must watch TV.
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Lately, the morning television production on the Good Morning television show has been so good. It’s relevant cultural television from the heart of New Zealand’s cultural values. Some of it is so deep, I’ve been staying write away from blogging about it. However, Jeanette Thomas is ever a shape-shifting magician as a TV talent, sharing the limelight with cohosts Matai Rangi Smith and Aster and guests. The team have been doing an amazing job at turning on the Arohatia Te Reo: Love the Maori Language theme of the show this week.
One of the upcoming TV shows the team have promo-ed is First Crossings, a show that celebrates the adventurous indomitable spirit of our early Pakeha settlers to New Zealand (eg: Sir Peter Jackson‘s people for example and many Kiwis’ founding fathers, my own too – and Kiwi moms). First Crossings is a reality TV concept, featuring adventurer record holders, Jamie Fitzgerald and Kevin Biggar, that takes audiences across the wilds of New Zealand’s vast whenua, fiordland rivers and diverse landscapes. The show is very Sir Edmund Hillary in spirit.
Already, I can tell it’s my favorite new TV show to hit the air soon, as in New Zealand, what we want is to see ourselves, our people, our stories, our identity onscreen at this time, more than anything else the world can offer us. First Crossing takes us back in time and does that. To be Kiwi cool you have to reinterpret what our icons of culture gave us in the past, switch it up and play it forward in a modern and relevant manner, imbued with new levels of meaning. It’s just what we Kiwis do. Our sense of fun, play, humor being shared.
On that note, we are extremely proud of our Pakeha culture in Aotearoa New Zealand. Most of it anyways.
It’s fact: New Zealand is defined by adventurous people who know how to navigate change. That trait, brought us all on the trail to Aotearoa in different waves and stages. (more…)
THE RAUPO PHRASEBOOK OF MODERN MAORI – SCOTTY MORRISON’S GUIDE TO INTEGRATING MAORI INTO EVERY DAY FAMILY LIFE
Watching Breakfast television in New Zealand this weekend a few books were promo-ed on the show. One was Owen Glenn‘s rags-to-riches biographical life story, titled Making a Difference. Blogger and book critic Graeme Beattie‘s review of the book can be read here. Glenn is also the owner of The Warriors rugby league club in New Zealand. His work in India is vital in West Bengali.
Also on Breakfast was Stacey Morrison talking about a new book that is pivotal to New Zealand’s future. Her husband wrote the book. For people who would like to learn the Maori language and teach their children the language, Scotty Morrison‘s brand new book titled The Raupo Phrasebook of Modern Maori: The User-friendly Guide for All New Zealanders is an essential Kiwi book we all must own a copy of.
Together, Stacey and Scotty’s combined contributions to enrich New Zealand culture as broadcasters is a massive legacy they have consistently given to instill a strength of spirit and Maori culture into the fabric of New Zealand’s ever-changing society. I love what they do. I get it. There are no words to explain what they have given over the years. They always give in fun ways, so you never know you’re really conscious you’re learning from them when they are on the air as entertainers and broadcasters. Thank you.
About the book. Fishpond book website writes:
“The Raupo Phrasebook of Modern Maori is an up-to-date, versatile and highly relevant resource and guide for utilizing Maori language in everyday life. Whether you’re a novice or emergent speaker of te reo Maori, or a complete beginner, you’ll learn useful phrases for: The home, the marae, the workplace, and social settings etiquette. The book also gives advice about appropriate observations of time in correct address for the days, months, seasons and weather. Key phrases are taught for mathematical discourse in Maori too.
For the person who is on the go, The Raupo Phrasebook of Modern Maori offers instructional knowledge for travel and directions, playing sports, having fun, and so much more!
The phrasebook also covers dialects, grammar and pronunciation; answers to key questions you’ll use the most in life; outlines favorite idioms and slang used every day in New Zealand society’s Maori conscious world; shares the wisdom of the ancients through proverbs and speeches; and provides information on the ever-changing history of te reo Maori – an active, evolving, living, satisfying and vibrant culture that’s on the rise.
The useful vocabulary lists are a big hit and are offered for each book section to make reading easy. The tone of the book is written in a user-friendly manner with everyday New Zealanders in mind. With a focus on modern-day language, The Raupo Phrasebook of Modern Maori is the guide that no home should be without.
About the Author: Scotty Morrison (Ngati Whakaue) is the well-known presenter of the Maori current affairs programme Te Karere. He holds a Diploma of Teaching, Bachelor of Education and a Masters degree (Education) from Waikato University.
Scotty is also the Director of Maori Student and Community Engagement at Auckland’s Unitec Institute of Technology Te Whare Wananga o Wairaka, where he promotes te reo Maori through awareness, administration and specialised courses.
Tumeke!
[Note: Must get both books].
Rawdon Christie of TVNZ interviews Stacey on integrating Maori into daily life. I think of how important Sir Apirana Ngata‘s books were to New Zealand society back in the day. This book has the ability to be just as profound to NZ culture and to the world that loves Indigenous Peoples knowledge too. How practical, valuable and useful. Rock on.
[Photo: Chris Skelton - Fairfax Media NZ]
~Posted by Horiwoodblog, Aotearoa New Zealand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 22.7.12~
JEANETTE THOMAS INTERVIEWS SIR JOHN KIRWAN – AUCKLAND BLUES RUGBY FOOTBALL COACH
Sir John Kirwan was on TV this morning with Jeanette Thomas. When I think of Sir John, I think of my mom sitting with Michael Jones‘ mom, Aunty Maina, at the rugby football park in Northland, in the test match where MJ & JK were both whipper snappers, going for a rugby dream.
You’ve never heard Maori and Samoan mums scream and shout louder in the stands. Nerve-wracking days, both MJ & JK would be successful in being selected for the All Blacks team. It was to be no ordinary team. When Michael got in the All Blacks it was a huge shift in New Zealand consciousness.
The Iceman went on to lift achievement for young people all over New Zealand and the world. Along with Zinzan Brooke, Sir John didn’t do too badly either. A shift abroad proved his worth as a coach and sports brand of entertainment.
Jeanette Thomas has the interview of the Italy, Japan (and now Auckland City) rugby coach talking family, teenagers and having his sights set on a ten-year-career as a coach in New Zealand.
Messages: (Humble) - ”Ten years coaching, then I plan to exit.” “Don’t want to die with music in me.” “Taking a Sir title is not about the title, it is about the reasons.” “Incredibly honored, incredibly humbled, I feel now I have to live up to it.” “If I can help one person through fear, I was a Sir,” he says (paraphrased).
Thomas describes Sir John Kirwan as being a living legend. Watch interview.
The legendary 1987 All Blacks Team included: John Gallagher (Wellington), Craig Green (Canterbury), Joe Stanley (Auckland), John Kirwan (Auckland); Warwick Taylor (Canterbury), Grant Fox (Auckland), David Kirk (Auckland); Wayne Shelford (North Harbour); Michael Jones (Auckland), Gary Whetton (Auckland), Murray Pierce (Wellington), Alan Whetton (Auckland); Steve McDowell (Auckland), Sean Fitzpatrick (Auckland) and John Drake (Auckland), Andy Dalton (Counties), Richard Loe (Waikato), Zinzan Brooke (Auckland), Bernie McCahill (Auckland), Frano Botica (North Harbour) and Bruce Deans (Canterbury).
Rugby was so much fun during these years. Crazy times of sport. It wasn’t so rigid and there was more passion in the game, just for the love of the sport on display. These lads inspired a nation during crucial years where our culture evolved. They were my childhood heroes. The dream team of dreambuilders. With only two channels on TV to choose from, radio commentators in action, no cell phones of any kind and no internet in those days to distract an audience, their celebrity was huge and unparalleled in New Zealand in their spokespersonship roles. They were the voice that shaped a culture. Their words mattered. As a result, they were everyone’s heroes.
What they said and did would shape a nation with depth and meaning. Like all Kiwis of my age-group, in part I too am the product of their character, humour, zest for life and the many gifts of culture that they created on the go, and gave us all as their people.
I could write a book about each one to explain all the pictures of culture they created and shared with their avid audience. They weren’t paid for what they gave, yet they willingly showed generosity of spirit and gave it anyway. Why they are still our bright heroes today. Their ‘books’ they all authored without credit, are a nation of Kiwis. They are some of the finest entertainers New Zealand has ever witnessed, the calibre of whom has rarely been seen since. It’s difficult to know what to say to this generation of stars that the local neighborhoods of New Zealand produced, except Thank you for making us Kiwi too – and a cohesive distinctive society of fun loving people with heart and soul.
~Poster Art: Patricio Guzmán files. 1987 Former All Blacks, photographed with Sir Peter Leitch and Sir Brian Lochore. Posted by Horiwoodblog, Aotearoa New Zealand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 20.7.12~
WATER IN OUR VEINS – AOTEAROA NEW ZEALAND NEWS 16.7.12
Best reporting today was: Miriama Kamo‘s insightful interview into water and how Maori New Zealand citizens are defined by its lifegiving flows.
Quote: Water in our veins:
"We own the water, in our concept of ownership, my flesh tells me, my blood tells me, my skin tells me - it doesnt have to talk, I know we own that water" says Te Arawa iwi.
Profound. Deep. Calming. True.
I like the name for the South Island: The Waters of Greenstone. Te Wai Pounamu – that awareness has always been inextricably linked about water to Maori reality and kinship towards land, water, sea. Fancy naming the largest land mass before you hit ice, after water. I would have been impressed by the mountain ranges alone and their majestic beauty, however… water we always are. Water we be.
[Photo: Te Rangiaheke (Yvonne) Bidois - Ben Fraser]
~Posted by Horiwoodblog, Aotearoa New Zealand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 16.7.12~
THE COOK ISLANDS SIR TEREPAE MAOTE IS REMEMBERED TODAY WITH HIS NEW ZEALAND FRIENDS
[A cartier of beautiful culture - Rakahanga and the art of dance in the Cook Island's paradise nation].
Former Cook Islands PM passes away. Sir Terepai Maoate, a founding father of the Cook Islands, dies at the age of 77. ABC News has the story.
“For the industries, for his country, and even for the region. And one of the key things about him is his integrity and his ability to be true to form, true to himself. You had so many detractors who always thought there was some agenda behind what he was trying to do but I think people just misread him and his drive to do what he thought was right for his people. At the end of the day he actually was about his people.”
He says his father was never short of ideas, including setting up a local prostate cancer foundation, of which he was the president, to raise awareness of the diease following his own diagnosis.
“The beauty about it is that we can tap into other foundations, of similar nature and activities like the Movember can be brought to the Cook Islands to support it and the people here, not just the men, but the families are very happy to actually have the foundation.”
The Cook Islands is a nation that New Zealanders have Kiwis stationed at. A sad day today for the Cooks.
[Photo caption - His Excellency Sir Frederick Goodwin, the Head of State and the Hon. Sir Terepai Maoate are watching together with their spouses Joyce Elizabeth McLean and Lady Marito - the raising of the National flag].
~Posted by Horiwoodblog, Aotearoa New Zealand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 12.7.12~
ICONIC MAORI-KIWI REGGAE, HERBS’ LONG AGO & SIR PETER BUCK’S VIKINGS OF THE SUN NEW ZEALAND TRIBUTE ART
New Zealand’s history is rich. Our cultural lore tells of vikings of the Sun who chartered a course to Aotearoa New Zealand over a thousand years ago. Te Rangihiroa, Sir Peter Buck, a Yale associate, wrote of Moriori and Maori adventurous discoveries in the South Pacific.
It is a history New Zealand and true friends of New Zealand are most proud of. Lest we forget. It was Long Ago. Hall of Famers, Maori reggae band Herbs wrote an iconic song about it for the New Zealand pop music charts once. Here’s that song as a tribute to our founding fathers and mothers gifts of navigation to the South Pacific and Asia-Pacific.
Their culture is the longest standing culture of New Zealand. In Herbs music, the opening sound (in the extended version of the song Long Ago) is our distinct sound in the South Pacific. A cultural treasure, very spesh.
Love it! A reminder of how wonderful New Zealand has been culturally for centuries of our ocean navigating peoples, New Zealand’s shared history of Kiwi citizens as one people.
[Photo: Moriori history - Matene Totara Te Retimana left, with famous Maori scholar and global ambassador, Te Rangi Hiroa - Sir Peter Buck. Photo's owner: Steven Retimana, Moriori and Ngati Whatua Maori].
~Posted by Horiwoodblog, Aotearoa New Zealand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 5.9.12~
September 5, 2012 | Categories: Academics, Aotearoa New Zealand, Aotearoa Television Service - Hollywood, Asia Pacific, Asia-Pacific, Authors, Cultural Cringe - How We Got Over It, cultural lore, Culture, Founding Father's South Pacific, Founding Fathers - Aotearoa New Zealand, Founding Mothers - Aotearoa New Zealand, Founding Mothers South Pacific, Grey Power, Hawaii, Heritage Arts & Culture, Icons, Kiwi Pop, Kool Kiwis, Maori, Maori Television Service - Hollywood, Matene Totara Te Retimana, Maunga Loa, Moriori, Navigation, New Zealand, New Zealand Citizens, Ngati Mutunga, Ngati Porou, Ngati Whatua, Polynesian, Pop Art, Pop Cultural Commentary, Reggae, Retro Hotness, Ruatoria, Sailing, Sir Peter Buck, Smart People, Smile Club, Song Writers, South Pacific, South Pacific Television Hollywood, Star System - The Art of Aotearoa New Zealand Celebrity, Star System - The Art of South Pacific Celebrity, Steven Retimana, Te Rangi Hiroa, USA, Willie Hona, Writers, Yachting, Yale | 1 Comment »