In the Beginning Earth Breath on me Earth the cool breath of life Earth the slumbering pūriri Earth the misty valley Earth the departed sun Earth the tingling blue sky Earth the dark sheen of a woman river Earth the mottling tides tumbling ashore Earth the sweeping godwits Earth our home Earth the giving landContinue reading “Words and Music: Earth the slumbering pūriri”
Tag Archives: New Zealand
Book Review: The Heading Dog That Split in Half by Brown and Tait
Aotearoa has a rich and varied history of folk legends and urban myths in addition to the rich history of Maori myth and legend. The Heading Dog Who Split in Half collects these half-realised dreams together with stunningly beautiful graphics. This book makes for engaging and captivating reading experience for readers of all ages.
Travel: Napier’s remote beaches and wineries by bike
#Napier is one of the sunniest and most lovely places in #NewZealand. PB and I love to explore this region on a regular basis by bike, the area is almost completely flat. Known for its #ArtDeco #architecture and Sea Walls graffiti, it’s a must-see if you are in the centre of the #NorthIsland #travel #Aotearoa
The dodgy B-grade VHS movies of my childhood
What TV shows did you watch as a kid? It wasn’t until I was an adult that I realised that the cartoon Gummy Bears wasn’t just in English, it was syndicated all over the world and many other kids knew this theme song in their own language. Here’s the theme song in dozens of differentContinue reading “The dodgy B-grade VHS movies of my childhood”
Travel: A roadtrip through the remote Eastern Cape, New Zealand
People seldom visit the Eastern Cape of the #NorthIsland because of its complete isolation from the rest of #NewZealand #Aotearoa. Here are some humble gems from this oft forgotten edge of the world #travel #beach #roadtrip
The magic of Matariki and Māori winter sea navigation
Every year at around this time, Matariki rises in the mid-winter sky. This is the Māori name for the cluster of stars also known as the Pleiades. In Aotearoa Matariki rises in late May or early June. This traditionally heralds winter solistice in New Zealand or the Māori new year.
Day out in Wellington: The Terracotta Warriors at Te Papa Museum
The first week that we moved to Wellington we went to see Te Papa Museum’s landmark exhibition: Terracotta Warriors: Guardians of Immortality. Enshrined in darkness and dim light, the exhibition feels like being submerged into the underworld. The exhibition offers you a rare opportunity to have an intimate and immersive encounter with remarkable treasures from 2,000 years ago, from the tomb of Qin Shihuang, China’s First Emperor. I highly recommend it!
Dolphins as Taniwha in New Zealand
Dolphins are mystical beings full of intelligence, compassion and consciousness. For different Māori iwi, dolphins hold sacred significance and they are known as taniwha. They are considered tapu (sacred) and possessing a powerful mauri (lifeforce). What are Taniwha? Taniwha (pron. tan-ee-far) are mysterious creatures that dwell in the sea, rivers, lakes or in caves. TheyContinue reading “Dolphins as Taniwha in New Zealand”
Words and Music: Kua rongo ake au
Kua rongo ake au…. Kia kaha rā te puāwaitanga o tōu kaha Kei konā rā te puāwaitanga o tōu rangatirangatanga I have learned that… We can enjoy our jobs by changing our attitude Always do more than what you’re paid for, One day you’ll be paid for more than you do Kua rongo ake auContinue reading “Words and Music: Kua rongo ake au”
Kaumātua Wisdom: Raparapa
The spiral begins at the marae which is the forum where every word and the silences in between are heard te whare tangata cycle of birth in the whare nui where Rongo of the peaceful arts ascends and connects us to the universe and nature to the propensity to give, receive and return and toContinue reading “Kaumātua Wisdom: Raparapa”
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