Reviving traditions to nurture children.

Tikanga was the theme of cultural trainer Amster Reedy's address and discussion on the hui's first afternoon. Of Te Aitanga-a-Mate, Putanga, Ngati Uepohatu, and Ngati Porou decent, Reedy is director of Nga Kete ote Matauranga Ltd, a cultural training consultancy. The basis of Reedy's address was an exploration of the eight-verse epic Te Oriori a Tuteremoana, a traditional Maori poetic philosophy more than 500 years old. This provided, he said, "traditional frameworks for children and total wellness from conception to adulthood".

Reedy also shared some of his own story, which included a very difficult upbringing and being whangai adopted at an early age. He grew up speaking Maori fluently and thanks his taha Maori for giving him a strong sense of identity and self-worth, and "for keeping me out of prison". At one time, Reedy was principal of Ngata Memorial College in Ruatoria on the East Coast, where he restored Te Reo and Ngati Porou tikanga to the curriculum. "Two cultures and two languages are better than one," he said.

"There is such therapeutic value in our culture. It provides a wonderful combination of passion and discipline. As the proverb says, 'Ka kitea ko te ngakau; Ka kitea ko nga whatu--Unless the heart sees, the eves will never see'."

However, he also warned that Maori should not be too romantic about their whanau, nor idealise their culture.

Reedy has spent a lifetime preserving and recording traditional Maori chants, waiata and philosophies, which, he said, "were gifted from tribe to tribe". He is often called to be present when a child is born in order to bless them with the chanting of traditional chants.

"In the pre-colonisation days, Maori celebrated a baby's birth. They regarded children as their future, nurturing them from the time of conception. Hitting children as a form of discipline was never the Maori way--the concept of 'sparing the rod and spoiling the child' was one introduced by the colonialists.

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"Our tradition is based on mana atua, mana tangata and mana whenua, which parallels the Christian concepts of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Te Ao Marama, the Maori world of enlightment, provides the ultimate in well-being. We must be able to nurture our tamariki physically, mentally and spiritually. We must retell our stories, use our language and teach young people about our history. It's not about how far back you go in the culture; it's about how far forward you are willing to go with it." Reedy said many Maori communities were "walking in a deficit model". They needed to regain the positive philosophies of their tupuna and revive their traditions. "A child, as he enters school, must be welcomed and find respect for his Maori identity," he said.

Reedy discussed each verse of Te Oriori a Tuteremoana, showing how it met the child's needs as it left the "cosy haven of the mother's womb" and entered the world of light. Te Oriori provided the child with the spiritual, terrestrial and celestial knowledge it would need on the journey of life.

Te Runanga launches its new tohu

The blessing and launching of a new tohu (symbol/logo) by Te Runanga member and Anglican archdeacon Richard Wallace was a major event during the formal AGH. The new tohu (see p34) features a stylised rakau, representing Te Runanga's growth and strength. The individual koru or "branch" elements represent kotahitanga (unity), showing the partnership between two or more parties, while the "roots" of the tree symbolise tikanga and Te Runanga's pledge to demonstrate it in everything it does. Other interpretations from NZNO members and groups are also welcomed. While acknowledging the past tohu, with its symbols of roimata and hei matau, Wallace said the tohu marked a new stage in the evolution of Te Runanga within NZNO.

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Saturday afternoon included a workshop Led by Tauira Aronui members on issues of workplace safety, followed by participants working on case scenarios to find solutions to bullying and harassment.

For many, the Ngati Toa bus trip was a highlight. This took participants

to areas significant to Ngati Toa and included a history lesson on Te Rauparaha's Ka Mate haka.

Te Runanga kaiwhakahaere Brenda Close said she was delighted the various parts of the hui came together so well to illustrate the kaitiakitanga theme. She was also pleased with the participation of board members. Christchurch board member Cheryl Hanham said she thoroughly enjoyed her time and was particularly inspired hearing Te Runanga members talk so positively about being nurses. Amster Reedy's address really struck a chord with her, particularly hearing about traditional ways of raising children. Waikeria Prison nurse Queenie Komene said she found the introduction of the new logo very moving. "It was sad for some to farewell the old logo, but it was also good to have our past acknowledged and to now look forward to our new kaupapa."

New Tauira Aronui representatives, appointed during the AGH, are chair Tania Hooper from Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology, vice chair Pari Tautari from Southern Institute of Technology, and Joanne Friend from Manukau Institute of Technology. Te Runanga executive komiti members Katairaina Harawira, Manny Down and Sandra Corbett were farewelled, with Varina Flavell and Keleen Ransfield welcomed as new members.

Stories and photos on these pages are by co-editor Anne Manchester.