This is a bit of a remix. We had a resident tui when we were living in Auckland in 2014 to 2018, she (I prefer to think of her as a she) was very vocal, flirty and beautiful. The Polish Bear got a very impressive Sony camera that was great for these close up shotsContinue reading “Behold the tui: seductive songstress of the shaky isles”
Tag Archives: New Zealand history
Kaumātua Wisdom: Hawaiki nui Hawaiki roa
Whakarongo ki te Au Our truth is this: We come from the sea this is where our bones lie not on the summits of mountains Hawaiki nui Hawaiki roa Is our ancestral Pacific land and its location in history can only be found in legend yielding only to the sea’s timelessness He Kuaka Mārangaranga KotahiContinue reading “Kaumātua Wisdom: Hawaiki nui Hawaiki roa”
Words and music: A Homage to Tāne
Here I stand in the sacred domain of Tāne I look within the forest for the family To the many birds, to the many trees To all of the creatures of our world For they give life to everyone Tū ana ahau ki te wao tapu nui a Tāne Ka titiro atu ki te whānauContinue reading “Words and music: A Homage to Tāne”
The Māori legend of two sisters Rehutai and Tangimoana
This painting by Bronwyn Waipuka illustrates a story by Wairarapa kaumātua (elder) Mita Carter. Rehutai and Tangimoana were beautiful twin sisters who lived on the banks of the Ruamāhanga River. They both fell in love with Rautoroa, a handsome warrior, but he could not decide which to marry. Rehutai asked Tangimoana to fetch some water from aContinue reading “The Māori legend of two sisters Rehutai and Tangimoana”
The Māori legend of Pania: Kaitiaki and taniwha of the reef, retold as street art
Pania is the legendary Kaitiaki (guardian/protector) of the reef in local Maori legend and her wairua (spirit) is connected strongly to the moana (ocean) close by to the town of Napier. Legend has it that Pania was a shimmering and iridescently beautiful maiden who lives in the sea and following a human encounter and a brokenContinue reading “The Māori legend of Pania: Kaitiaki and taniwha of the reef, retold as street art”
Words and Music: A Homage to Tangaroa
I speak forward to the spirit of the great sea To the waves to the sea foam to the sea’s many children The children are singing the drifting songs of the ocean They are the children of Tangaroa and the ocean of Kiwa! Kōrero atu ana ahau ki te ia o te moana Te Hukatai,Continue reading “Words and Music: A Homage to Tangaroa”
Kaumātua wisdom: I’m a seed scattered across the Pacific
Kua rongo ake au… Kia tau te whakaaro pai Aroha tētahi ki tētahi, āhurutia ā tātau tamariki Ki te aroha, nā, he aroha pai ano hoki mōu ake I have learned that… It makes good sense to say We are here to learn to love one another And for the sake of our children, acceptContinue reading “Kaumātua wisdom: I’m a seed scattered across the Pacific”
E Pii, e Paa: A poem by Haare Williams
This week is Māori Language Week/ Te wiki o Te Reo Māori. So I will be sharing some beautiful poems, proverbs and words in Māori and English for you to enjoy. Here is a poem by Haare Williams from his incredible book of wisdom: Words of a Kaumātua. E Pii, e Paa tiny bees swarmingContinue reading “E Pii, e Paa: A poem by Haare Williams”
Wāhanga o Te Rā/ Times of the Day in Māori
Learn some new words in Māori during Mahuru Māori/Māori Language Month. Here are the various times of the day…enjoy! Waenganui pō – Midnight Te Pō – Night Atapō – Before Dawn Ata Hapāra – Breath of Dawn Atatū – Just after sunrise Awatea – River of Light Ata – Morning Poupoutanga o te rā –Continue reading “Wāhanga o Te Rā/ Times of the Day in Māori”
Book Review: Words of a Kaumātua by Haare Williams
A compelling, rich and lush blend of essay, poetry, reflections and personal stories by one of New Zealand’s most preeminent Māori writers. I have to admit that I didn’t know much about Haare Williams before picking up this book in Te Papa Museum in Wellington. This is a definitive collection of Māori wisdom that isContinue reading “Book Review: Words of a Kaumātua by Haare Williams”
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