When you want a smile, give yours away When you want affection, you give affection When you help people, they help you When you want love, give your love Kua rongo ake au… Tuku whakamoemiti, āta haere ki te ākau Mā te wā koe e tiaki e manaaki e kākahu Ki ngā hua o ōuContinue reading “Words of a Kaumātua: When you want a smile, give yours away”
Tag Archives: New Zealand
All About Māori Kite Making
There are 17 types of Māori kites. Traditionally made from strong timber framing like manuka wood they were woven with flax and the paper and bark of the mulberry plant until the plant went virtually extinct. Birdman kites have a powerful symbolism for all Māori iwi including for my own, Ngaī Tamanuhiri and Ngā Puhi.Continue reading “All About Māori Kite Making”
A Brief History of Auckland’s 53 Volatile Volcanoes
There are approximately 53 volcanoes in Auckland, which have over thousands of years produced an array of interesting lagoons, tuft rings and lava flows in Auckland city. The biggest, most active and most visible volcano – Rangitoto sits on an island of the same name in Auckland harbour.
Words and Music: Earth the slumbering pūriri
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”
Birds, Mana and Maori Culture
Māori iwi have long held beliefs and customs about the native birds of Aotearoa New Zealand. Birds or Ngā Manu had a vital place in Maori tribal life as they provided food, beautiful feathers for adornment and their strengths and personalities were a rich source of metaphor and poetry. Their behaviour was use to predict theContinue reading “Birds, Mana and Maori Culture”
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.
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