SIR TE AHIKAIATA JOHN JOSEPH TUREI IS REMEMBERED FROM HOLLYWOOD

“How can you resolve things speaking in an alien tongue?” he asked in 1983. “The past can only be seen in the language of your ancestors.”–Sir John Turei

Sir Te Ahikaiata John Joseph Turei was remembered in New Zealand.

This great leader of Ngai Tuhoe Maori people did so much for his tribe and Maori in the revitalization of the indigenous Peoples language of New Zealand. His actions and wise words fathered us all.

Haere ra, e Ta. I salute you Tu from Hollywood, The Entertainment Capitol of The World. For the future of all rangatira hou, Mauri Ora Rewa Rewa Ruatoki katoa. Kia kaha tatou. May you exemplify the best of Sir John’s traits to remind us all, what good Maori leadership is and what key cornerstones of it always will be. This his legacy of faith, wisdom, discernment, foresight with prophetic giftings that were rare and love to us all. He saw with the eyes of his wairua, into men’s hearts before they ever opened their mouths. What a man.

Sir John’s humor at surviving the great depression of the 30′s as kid also defines this great man. Another example we need to draw strength from in this times, as defined by  these words to the NZ Herald once: “But I suppose I was more fortunate than most in the valley because Dad milked cows. Anyone with more than five cows could survive. You could say I was brought up under a cow’s tit. Milking was something I had to do from the age of six.”

Her served in the Maori battalion in WWII in the Middle East, Egypt, Britiain and Italy. He was a warrior who overcame death, Hitler and death systems for Peace and Life, internationally.

He “played a leading role in the development of Maori language as a foundation member of the Radio Aotearoa Board. He was also a foundation member of the Lion Nathan Scholarship Board for Young Maori achievers and led cultural delegations to China, South Korea, India and the United States.”

He was a man of great faith. During the war he found inspiration from the Presbyterian branch of faith in God. Personally though, I remember him as someone who made me laugh when I saw him speak at Ruatoki. Though strict, he was funny and entertaining too.

Dr. Michael Basset describes his 30 year relationship as a politician with Sir John as knowing these things about him: “Sir John said for me it was a joy to come at an early age under the influence of Sir Apirana Ngata. While John took the name Turei from the man his mother (Te Ahikaiata) was meant to marry, his “biological father” (as John always called Tami Te Whetu), increasingly acknowledged his son and took him along to political gatherings. Long before Turei performed the wero in front of Lord Bledisloe at the opening of the Treaty House at Waitangi in 1934, he had met Ngata, then Native Minister. Having left school early because his grandmother couldn’t afford Te Aute’s uniform, John often accompanied Ngata and Te Whetu on ministerial trips. Carrying bags, polishing shoes and fetching hot water for Ngata’s shaving, enabled John to listen to the old man talking with his closest confidants. John was always a good listener. His eyes would sometimes close in meetings, but he heard everything.”

… Key words: “wise money management for Treaty Settlement monies,” “humbugs vs punctuality”…. He also believed new generations needed to be married with tradition while wanting them to embrace tikanga with diverse modern expression. What he also gave to the people of Panmure and Waipareira in my tribal rohe of Ngati Whaatua, for this too, I say thank you from Hollywood for all Maori in Tamaki – The supercity.

He passed away in Blockhouse Bay where he lived, a city where my own parents first met and fell in love at first sight. From Nga Puhi, my other Maori tribe, Sir John’s words were measured, spoken like bread made of the finest wheat from Whangarei for all in New Zealand. A trait we can all emulate in honor of this great and noble man.

He was a man of Spirit. He was also an academic Dr. He was an ambassador to America, during his lengthy lifetime as a New Zealand leader. “Very much missed.”

[Reporting and executive producing, Tini Molyneux. Presenter, Scotty Morrison. Both for Te Karere. Images of Te Kooti Calvert and his flag for the memory of E Ta Te Ahikaiata today].

~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 10.25.10~

October 25, 2010 | Categories: America, Auckland City, China, Entertainment Celebrity News, India, Italy, Leadership, Maori, Middle East, New Zealand, Sir Apirana Ngata, Spirit, Tamaki Makaurau, Te Reo Rangatira, UK, Whangarei City | Tags: America, Auckland - The Super City, Auckland City, Blockhouse Bay, China, Dr. Michael Bassett, Egypt, Georgina Te Heu Heu, Hollywood Maori Kings, Hollywood's Maori Honor Role, Hori = Maori, Howard Broad, India, Italy, Leadership, Lord Bledisloe, Maori, Maori Television, Maori Television Service Hollywood, Middle East, Middle Eastern Representation, Naida Glavish, New Zealand, Ngai Tuhoe, Ngati Tuwharetoa, Ruatoki, Scotty Morrison, Sir Apirana Ngata, Sir Te Ahikaiata John Joseph Turei, Spirit, Tamaki Makaurau, Te Kooti, Te Reo Rangatira, Tini Molyneux, Tui Ah Loo, Tukorehu Waaka, UK, Waitangi, Whangarei City | 1 Comment »